Co-Investment

The Co-Investment Program is the first of its kind in Qatar. It aims to support economic diversification by encouraging private-sector investment initiatives. Through this program, QDB supports and promotes the engagement of private sector players and individual investors to co-invest together into innovative SMEs and startups.
Co-investment Program-Optimized

Program Objectives

  • The program aims to jump-start high growth industries within Qatar through a co-investing scheme between the individual investor(s) and public/private entities or other institutions, for investments in early-stage, startups and SMEs.

  • The program aims to increase interest in private sector investment among investors. Through co-investing with QDB, investors can commit less capital and will still be able to make the same impact on their investments due to the supplementary capital from the co-investment program

Who benefits? 

WHO BENEFITS FROM CO-INVESTMENT PROGRAM?

  • Investors in startups and SMEs with the focus on high-tech and innovative ideas looking to attract investors.
  • Investors in startups and SMEs with the focus on high-tech and innovative ideas looking to attract co-investors.
APPLICATION CRITERIA

KEY INVESTMENT CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION (INVESTORS)

The applicant must be a certified investor, and the following criteria will apply

  • Primary Criteria (and/or)

    1. Has a minimum Net Asset Value of QAR 2.6 million
    2. Has a minimum annual income of QAR 550,000

  • Secondary Criteria (and/or):

    1. Has experience of investing as an individual, company, or fund
    2. Has a relevant professional background (e.g., entrepreneur, startup founder, family business, investment banker)
    3. Holds an existing certification or accreditation for venture capital investments and understands the risks associated with venture capital (this requirement may be waived for experienced professionals)
    4. Recognized as an investor by an Angel Network or an Investment Club
    5. Has prior experience with investment exits, either as an investor or a founder

  • Due Diligence

    A detailed due diligence based on screening and assessment criteria must be conducted by the investor(s) on the company before approaching QDB for co-investment. QDB will then assess and perform a quality check on the submitted due diligence, and may conduct additional due diligence if required, before making the final decision.

    – A signed investment or pre-investment agreement between the investor and the targeted company must be submitted.

Key Investment Criteria for Consideration (Investee)

  • Investment within priority areas

    Companies that qualify for co-investment will be early-stage Start-ups and SMEs, with a focus on high-tech and innovative technologies.

  • Business track record

    To at least have a business with a ready minimum viable product (MVP); preference may be given to high growth companies.

  • Market knowledge and experience

    To have a deep understanding of the target market, market outlook, growth opportunities and risk mitigation plans. In addition, to have the potential to build a sustainable competitive advantage.

  • Value creation

    To identify a targeted solution that contributes to high and sustainable economical growth.

Note:

Applicants should note that they will go through an evaluation process by our team of experts in order to determine both the eligibility and the potential favorability of the investment opportunity, ensuring alignment with our strategic objectives.

GUIDELINES

Frequently Asked Questions

The co-investment program is a partnership between QDB and individual investor(s), public or private entities, or other institutions to invest in early-stage startups and SMEs.

Through this program, QDB will co-invest with investors to provide funding to startups and SMEs. By co-investing, investor(s) will commit less capital while still being able to make the same impact due to the supplementary capital provided through the co-investment scheme.

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Any certified investor (please refer to Question 6), aiming to invest in a company that is based in Qatar.
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  • Early-stage startups
  • SMEs operating in high-tech and innovation sectors
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  1. The investor must meet the eligibility criteria
  2. Selects the company and conducts their own due diligence
  3. Seeks QDB’s co-investment approval to close the funding round
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QDB will co-invest with up to QAR 11 million per deal.
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For Investors:

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

Primary Criteria (and/or):
  1. Has a minimum Net Asset Value of QAR 2.6M
  2. Has a minimum annual income of QAR 550K
Secondary Criteria (and/or):
  1. Has experience of investing as an individual, company, or a fund
  2. Has a relevant professional background (e.g., entrepreneur, startup founder, family business, investment banker)
  3. Has existing certification or accreditation for venture capital investments and understands the risk of venture capital investments (to be waived for existing professionals)
  4. Recognized as an investor by an Angel Network or Investment Club
  5. Has experience of exits in past investments/startups

Due Diligence Requirements:

Proper due diligence must be conducted by the investor or lead investor, and will be reviewed by the Qatar Development Bank investment team.

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There are no fees for the application.
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The investor(s) should apply on behalf of the investee company and must submit the following:

- Company's investment deck along with Business Plan
- Financial statements or management accounts (if available)
- Incorporation details
- Background of founders
- Signed Investment Agreement between the Investor and Investee
- Due diligence pack prepared by the investor/s (at the discretion of investment team).
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The funds will be disbursed directly to the corporate account of the investee company or otherwise at the discretion of QDB.
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There will be a monthly review of the investment by the QDB investment team.
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