Latest news with #QRDI
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
QRDI Council's Small Business Innovation Grant is now open for applications
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council's Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIG), a new national funding program designed to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar to implement and transform innovative ideas into impactful solutions. Launched during Web Summit Qatar 2025, the SBIG program provides phased funding to support the development and commercialization efforts of innovative technologies, products, or services. This grant is part of QRDI Council's broader strategy to enhance the national innovation ecosystem and promote sustainable economic diversification, in alignment with Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3). Applications for this grant are open now until August 4, 2025. SBIG provides support in two distinct phases. Phase I focuses on early-stage innovation, offering funding for feasibility studies and proof-of-concept development over a 6 to 12-month period. Phase II builds on the outcomes of Phase I, providing additional funding over 12 to 24 months to support prototype testing, technological development, and the achievement of project readiness for marketing. The grant focuses on SMEs operating in strategic sectors such as Medical and Healthcare, Logistics and Transportation, Smart Cities, Creativity, Arts, Tourism, and Emerging Digital Technologies. QRDI Council invites all eligible SMEs to utilize this opportunity to access non-dilutive funding and state-of-the-art innovation infrastructure in Qatar. The SBIG initiative reflects QRDI Council's ongoing commitment to supporting homegrown innovators and driving knowledge-based economic growth in Qatar. For full details and to begin the application process, visit the Innolight platform or contact the QRDI Council directly. About QRDI Council QRDI Council is a government entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto 'locally empowered, globally connected'. Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council's commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity. To delve deeper into QRDI Council's endeavors and vision: Website: Stay Connected: Engage with the QRDI Council on various social media channels to stay updated on the Council's latest activities and achievements. Follow QRDI on - Instagram - LinkedIn - X - YouTube - : Facebook
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
QRDI Council conclude Third Innovation Day at the Fifth Qatar Economic Forum
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council hosted its third consecutive Innovation Day, on the final day of the 5th Qatar Economic Forum. Innovation Day served as a dedicated platform featuring a dynamic lineup of expert panels, strategic discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at encouraging collaboration and advancing innovation. Omar Al Ansari, Secretary General at QRDI Council said: 'Innovation Day has become a staple of QRDI Council's efforts to encourage collaboration, spark dialogue, and drive forward Qatar's innovation agenda. This year's event highlighted the critical role of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in shaping the future of industries and economies, not just in Qatar but globally. As we reflect on the outcomes of this year's Innovation Day, I am confident that the insights gained, and the partnerships made will play an important role in advancing our shared vision of a sustainable, innovation-driven future.' The Innovation Day began with an opening address by QRDI Council's Secretary General, Omar Al-Ansari, who reflected on last year's discussions surrounding the ethics of innovation, and how these questions remain highly relevant today; setting the tone for conversations that unfolded throughout the day. Throughout his address, he provided a broad perspective on the GCC region, emphasizing that innovation is not merely a concept but an active, operational reality. He highlighted Qatar's strong commitment to advancing innovation, driven by two key national frameworks: the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. Whilst also outlining the role of the QRDI Council, noting that while the Council does not position itself as the sole hub of innovation, it serves as a strategic enabler and bridge, facilitating progress across sectors. Following a morning filled with engaging discussions and activities, the event transitioned into two breakout sessions: 'AI IRL: From Innovation to Application' and 'The Venture Capital Outlook.' Both sessions saw participants actively engaging in meaningful dialogue, networking opportunities, and the day's initiatives. Key topics included the future of biotech, explored in a conversation with James Flynn, Managing Partner at Deerfield, as well as AI in action, focusing on practical applications of innovation within the GCC region to drive impactful outcomes. Additionally, the future of AI in the region was explored during the session "Qatar – Realizing AI's Potential Today," highlighting how Qatar's technology leaders are driving growth and connectivity through innovative applications. Innovation Day is a strategic initiative that reflects QRDI Council's dedication to advancing Qatar's National Vision 2030 and its National Development Strategy. By fostering collaboration, promoting advanced research, and exploring transformative technologies like AI and biotech, the event shows Qatar's commitment to building a diversified, knowledge-based economy. About QRDI Council QRDI Council is a government entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto 'locally empowered, globally connected'. Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council's commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity.
Bloomberg
22-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
QRDI Council Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari QEF Opening Address
Eng. Omar Ali Al-Ansari, Secretary General, The QRDI Council provides the opening address for day 3 of the 2025 Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg. (Source: Bloomberg)
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
QRDI Council and Qatar Airways partner to advance Innovation at Qatar Economic Forum 2025
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council and Qatar Airways signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the second day of the Qatar Economic Forum, aimed at accelerating innovation in aviation, transport, and logistics, while enhancing Qatar's global competitiveness in these critical sectors. The agreement was formally signed by Omar Al Ansari, Secretary General of the QRDI Council, and Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways, marking an important step in fostering impactful collaboration between two of Qatar's leading entities. Omar Al Ansari, Secretary General of QRDI Council, stated: 'Today marks a pivotal milestone as QRDI and Qatar Airways Group come together in a first-of-its-kind strategic partnership to drive cutting-edge innovation—positioning both Qatar Airways and our nation at the forefront of global competitiveness in aviation and mobility. This MoU establishes a strong foundation for Qatar to emerge as a global hub for transformative innovation. Through this collaboration, we aim to attract world-leading partners, accelerate the deployment of high-impact technologies, and elevate national innovation clusters to global prominence—contributing meaningfully to the goals outlined in the Third National Development Strategy (NDS3).' Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group CEO of Qatar Airways commented: 'Qatar Airways Group's has consistently been recognized as an innovation leader, with a strong commitment for redefining the benchmarks of excellence in the aviation industry. This partnership represents a strategic cornerstone in our diverse and vibrant innovation partner ecosystem. It will accelerate our digital transformation, putting us even further ahead of our competition and making us even more synonymous with keeping innovation at the heart of whatever we do at Qatar Airways. This MoU creates a transformative opportunity to contribute towards elevating the nation's position on the global innovation index and firmly establishing the State of Qatar as the preferred global hub of the Aviation Tech industry by providing fertile ground to develop, test and scale innovative next-generation solutions.' The MoU establishes a structured and phased approach to collaboration, focusing on the development of an innovation cluster around the aviation, transport, and logistics sectors. The strategic framework includes transformational innovation, challenge-driven initiatives, and the integration of artificial intelligence and digital innovation as key enablers for future projects. The partnership also aims to ensure strategic alignment with the objectives of Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (NDS3), with a focus on strengthening priority industries, fostering local innovation, and contributing to sustainable economic growth through targeted investments, funding, and innovation policies. This agreement represents a significant milestone in both organizations' commitment to placing innovation at the core of national development and ultimately aims to elevate Qatar's position in the global innovation index. Having this partnership solidified at the Qatar Economic Forum reinforces its strategic importance and reflects a shared vision to drive Qatar's innovation-led future on a global scale. About QRDI Council QRDI Council is a government entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto 'locally empowered, globally connected'. Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council's commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity. To delve deeper into QRDI Council's endeavors and vision: Stay Connected: Engage with the QRDI Council on various social media channels to stay updated on the Council's latest activities and achievements. About Qatar Airways A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways won the 'World's Best Airline' for the unprecedented eighth time at the 2024 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Qatar Airways has been the World's Best Airline in 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2024. The airline continues to be synonymous with excellence, also taking home, 'World's Best Business Class', 'World's Best Business Class Airline Lounge', and 'Best Airline in the Middle East'. As leaders in industry innovation and digital adoption, Qatar Airways was also recently voted the 'World's Best Airline Website' by World Travel Tech Awards. Qatar Airways currently flies to over 170 destinations worldwide.
Zawya
18-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
QRDI Council hosts innovation day for the third year at Qatar Economic Forum
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council is proud to announce its continued partnership with Bloomberg Media and Media City Qatar as the Innovation Sponsor of the fifth Qatar Economic Forum (QEF) 2025, taking place from May 20–22, 2025. This year's program will center around the theme: "The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy", exploring pathways to shape a more resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking global economic landscape. For the third time, QRDI Council will host the highly anticipated "Innovation Day" on the third day, a dedicated platform featuring a dynamic lineup of expert panels, strategic discussions, and interactive sessions. In alignment with the theme, this year's Qatar Economic Forum will spotlight strategic economic transformation through key sectors such as energy, trade, technology, and investment. The forum will bring together a diverse range of global leaders and stakeholders, spanning policymakers, business executives, and innovators, to engage in critical discussions on emerging technologies, energy security, and economic resilience. As part of 'Innovation Day' at the 2025 Qatar Economic Forum, leading voices from across Qatar's research, development, and innovation (RDI) ecosystem will convene for discussions and breakout sessions centered on harnessing innovation, technology, and local talent to drive sustainable economic growth. These sessions will support the objectives of the Third Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS3) by advancing forward-looking solutions that reinforce national resilience and position Qatar as a hub for knowledge-driven development. To find out more about Innovation Day's agenda and the rest of the Qatar Economic Forum 2025 program, please visit: About QRDI Council QRDI Council is a government entity with the mission to support research, development and innovation (RDI) activities as well as to develop RDI talent in Qatar. The Council strives to make Qatar a top destination for global talent and a pioneering research, innovation, and development hub with its motto 'locally empowered, globally connected'. Playing a pivotal role within the Qatar National Development Strategy, the QRDI Council is actively shaping the Innovation component of the Economic Diversification goal. The Council's commitment underlines its unwavering dedication to the Qatar National Vision 2030. QRDI Council aims to make Qatar a global innovation hub and a top choice for R&D centers worldwide, seeing RDI as vital for Qatar's growth and prosperity. To delve deeper into QRDI Council's endeavors and vision: Website: Stay Connected: Engage with the QRDI Council on various social media channels to stay updated on the Council's latest activities and achievements. Follow QRDI on - Instagram - LinkedIn - X - YouTube - : Facebook
