Dr. Tanvir Alam, alumnus of the Education City Innovative Entrepreneurship Program (ECIEP) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Innovation Center, won the Lean Startup Program (LSP) pitching competition, hosted by Qatar Development Bank’s (QDB) Qatar Business Innovation Center (QBIC).

Dr. Alam, Assistant Professor, CSE, received the honor for his healthcare-focused startup, “AISHA.” This accomplishment earned him a QAR 250,000 award, composed of a grant fund and in-kind support to enable his company’s development.

Noting the significance of his achievement, Dr. Alam said: “Winning this competition is another milestone in my entrepreneurial journey. I am grateful to the Innovation Center for their support, which helped me pursue my ambitions and empowered my growth as an entrepreneur.” 

Commenting on the opportunity presented by this achievement, Saleh Musleh, Student, PhD in Computer Science and Engineering, CSE, and member of “AISHA,” said:  “This startup funding will enable us to translate our research into a viable product to support the larger community while also encouraging me and my fellow students to focus more on research that holds real-world impact.”

As one of QBIC’s flagship programs, the LSP is an 11-week program that assists participants throughout the early stages of a startup’s growth, providing them opportunities to gain practical experience on how to launch projects successfully. It emphasizes customer validation, allowing entrepreneurs to test their business ideas in real-time with potential customers. 

Dr. Tanvir’s participation in the LSP came as part of his enrollment in the second cycle of ECIEP. Launched in 2022 and organized in partnership with QDB, the Program supports innovative entrepreneurs within Qatar Foundation, the development of an entrepreneurship ecosystem and the realization of innovative business ideas. Participants receive valuable guidance and support to refine their ideas and bring them to life by creating their first Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for market validation.

An initiative of the Office of Innovation and Industrial Relations (OIIR), HBKU’s Innovation Center strengthens the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem within and outside the university. It serves as a platform for connecting people and sharing ideas, resources, and expertise, providing opportunities for meaningfully unique collaborations.

To know more about the ECIEP’s next cycle, please communicate with HBKU Innovation Center via: innovation@hbku.edu.qa