Investment

Our investment department is dedicated to funding Qatari startups and entrepreneurial ventures. We focus on solidifying Qatar's status as a premier destination for investments, and our diverse array of programs within investment plays a crucial role in providing necessary capital to startups and SMEs, thereby mitigating the risks for both individual and corporate investors. This investment initiative is a key part of our strategy to elevate Qatar-based startups from ideation all the way to global export markets.
QDB invested in over 92 Mn QAR in startups to date through capital invested and deployed
92Mn
End user Finance up to
85%
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Size: QAR 365 million
  • Target allocation: 20% in innovative small enterprises and 80% in growing medium enterprises (all Qatari-owned and with active involvement of Qataris in management).
  • Program term: 8-10 years (5 years for deployment and 3-5 years holding period).
  • Geography: Qatar
  • Industry: Sector-agnostic approach focused on supporting viable businesses with preference for strategic sectors (except construction, contracting and trade).
  • Target shareholding: Less than 50% stake
  • Equity buy-back option: With predetermined conditions for entrepreneur to buy it back from the program.
  • Ticket size: QAR 1.5; 7 million and QAR 3.5; 18 million for innovative small enterprises and growing medium enterprises respectively, although exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Voting rights: Seat on Board of Directors, “Veto” on critical decisions such as sale of assets, company liquidation, obtaining debt and capital equity from banks and other investors and stock market listing.
  • Value generation: Close collaboration with entrepreneurs, growth plan management, transformation story, implementation of best practices and provision of contacts in a wider QDB/Qatari ecosystem.
What are the program’s investment criteria? The investment criteria vary depending on the size of the enterprise and can be summarized as below For Innovative Small Enterprises:
  • Qatari-owned operational company
  • Active Qatari involvement in management
  • Growth and expansion plan from existing revenues
  • Potential of value-added generation
  • Scalable model
  • Potential to build sustainable competitive advantage
  • Number of employees less than 250
  • Total turnover less than QAR 100 million
  • Total assets less than QAR 50 million
  • Term of operational activities less than 3 years
For Growing Medium Enterprises:
  • Qatari-owned operational company
  • Active Qatari involvement in management
  • Successful management track record
  • Successful financial track record
  • Growth and expansion plan
  • Value generation potential
  • Scalable model
  • Potential to build sustainable competitive advantage
  • Number of employees less than 250
  • Total turnover less than QAR 100 million
  • Total assets less than QAR 50 million
  • At least 3 years of financial statements
    • Investment within priority areas: To be in one of the priority areas of investment, such as innovative business ideas and/or knowledge-based concepts with added value and potential to grow.
    • Business track record: To have a stable business model and operations, supported by existing records on business financials and operations for at least 2 years.
    • Market knowledge and experience: To have deep understanding of target market, market outlook, growth opportunities and risk mitigation plans. And to have the potential to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
    • Value creation: To have a clear case that requires investment leading to growth or incremental value.
    • Qualified management team: To have a qualified, dedicated management team which possesses both management and technical knowledge to achieve the investment plan, with an active Qatari partner among the team
    In addition to the above, QDB also invests in venture capital funds internationally provided that the investments:
    • Are showing a good return potential
    • Are contributing to the development of the Qatar innovation ecosystem.
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