OIIR Holds Virtual Open Day for REYADA Entrepreneurship Program

The Innovation Center (IC) at the Office of Innovation and Industrial Relations (OIIR) recently hosted a Virtual Open Day to welcome accepted applicants to its REYADA Entrepreneurship Program Cycle 4.   

The initiative, run in partnership with Qatar Development Bank (QDB), aims to support innovative entrepreneurs across Qatar Foundation, contributing to the development of an entrepreneurship ecosystem and accelerating the transformation of innovative business ideas into ventures. As a long-term initiative, REYADA provides budding entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, resources and guidance to develop and commercialize their businesses.   

This year, 26 candidates applied to the program, and 21 teams were selected by a joint selection committee consisting of members of the  IC and QDB. The new cohort also reflects significant gender diversity, with participants comprising 52% males and 48% females. HBKU students accounted for the largest share at 47% while faculty and researchers made up 24% of the cohort. The broader QF community brought in 24% students and 5% staff.  

During the Open Day, Nada Al Balam, Acting Director, IC, Sophie Besitka, Startup Coach, QDB, and Doaa Mustafa, REYADA alumni, welcomed participants and outlined the program’s timeline and vision.   

Commenting on the Cycle 4 cohort, Nada Al Balam, said: “We are proud to welcome the latest batch for our REYADA Entrepreneurship Program. These projects have been carefully selected to align with HBKU’s research themes, as well as promote innovation and entrepreneurship. We believe that these projects have the potential to grow and positively impact the key objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.”  

The selected projects cover HBKU’s focus areas: Precision Health, Artificial Intelligence, Progressive Education, Sustainability, and Social Progress.