Bridging AI with Entrepreneurship at QSTP Ride & Pitch

Doha, Qatar - Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), successfully hosted the second edition of its Ride & Pitch program as part of QSTP AI Week 2024. This dynamic event showcased the innovative spirit of Qatar’s youth and startups, creating a vibrant platform for entrepreneurial growth.

Program Overview

The Ride & Pitch program featured two distinct sessions: one for students and another for startups. Both sessions adhered to a common theme of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to solve real-world challenges. The events were held at different times and judged by separate panels of experts, ensuring a tailored approach for each group of participants.

In the student session, 34 participants from Qatar-based universities, including Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar University, and the University of Doha for Science & Technology (UDST), presented their ideas. Students from partner universities such as Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q), and Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) also participated.

The startup session featured 14 startups specializing in AI technologies, reflecting Qatar’s emphasis on nurturing tech-driven entrepreneurship. Both groups engaged in expert-led workshops focusing on essential entrepreneurial skills such as pitching techniques and product development stages. Over 20 mentors, including startup founders and experts from the local ecosystem.

Unique Pitching Competition

Each session culminated in a high-energy pitching competition held on a moving tram within Education City. Participants had two minutes to present their ideas to a panel of judges, simulating the real-world pressures and unpredictability of pitching to investors and stakeholders.

The student session emphasized encouraging young talent to develop creative AI-driven solutions, while the startup session provided a platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their more advanced, market-ready innovations. Despite the differences, both competitions shared the same dynamic format, allowing participants to gain invaluable feedback and exposure.

Winners and Innovations

In the student session, a team from UDST claimed first place with their innovative AI solution, Trash-E, which aims to revolutionize waste management. This project demonstrated how AI technologies can address environmental challenges and drive sustainability.

In the startup session, iCareCC secured the top prize with its AI-powered platform connecting researchers and practitioners in the energy industry through a chatbot and matching system. The solution highlights how AI can bridge research and industry gaps, promoting impactful collaborations.

Both winning projects were celebrated during the closing ceremony of QSTP AI Week 2024, recognizing their ingenuity and real-world applicability.

QSTP AI Week 2024

QSTP AI Week 2024 attracted over 3,000 registered visitors from across the globe, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leader in technological innovation. The event featured panel discussions, interactive workshops, and exhibitions, providing a platform for innovators to connect with industry leaders and showcase their AI-driven solutions.

A Platform for Innovation

The success of Ride & Pitch during QSTP AI Week 2024 reflects QSTP’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and technological advancement in Qatar. By hosting tailored sessions for students and startups, QSTP provided a unique opportunity for participants to engage with AI technologies at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. The program not only highlighted the boundless potential of AI-driven ideas but also positioned QSTP as a hub for innovation and a launchpad for impactful ventures. Through initiatives like these, QSTP is driving Qatar’s vision for a diversified and knowledge-based economy.