MCIT Partners with Four National Entities in Qatar

Doha, Qatar — Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has expanded its “Scale Now” program through a new partnership with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Research, Development & Innovation Council (QRDI), and Invest Qatar. The move targets faster growth for high-potential Qatari companies and tighter alignment with the Digital Agenda 2030. 

Snapshot

• Program: Scale Now (MCIT)
• Partners: MOCI, QDB, QRDI Council, Invest Qatar
• Goal: Scale Qatari tech companies with financing pathways, mentorship, piloting, and market access in line with Digital Agenda 2030. 

Proof of Traction

MCIT reports that Scale Now’s first cohort delivered deals worth USD 7.2m, raised USD 5.7m, and achieved >50% revenue growth; one company expanded into a new market. A second cycle with 14 companies across 10+ sector* (including AI, HealthTech, EdTech, and cybersecurity) is underway. 

Roles Across the Ecosystem

• MCIT: Program owner; coordinates financing, mentorship, and readiness supports.
• MOCI: Capacity building, go-to-market guidance, and regulatory navigation.
• QDB: Capital access and venture pathways, building on incubation/acceleration pipelines and a strong VC footprint.
• QRDI Council: Funding and piloting via Qatar Open Innovation and new SME grant channels.
• Invest Qatar: Global exposure, partner connections, and market-entry support. 

Qatar’s venture scene has strengthened: 4th in MENA by deal count in 2024, with QDB’s investment arm also 4th among the most active investors by number of deals. In parallel, the QIA “fund of funds” is drawing global VC firms to Doha—helping fill A–C stage gaps and deepening capital availability for scale-ups. 

What It Means for Startups & Entrepreneurs

1) Faster Paths to Customers and Pilots

Founders can secure paid pilots and proofs of value through QRDI’s programs (e.g., Qatar Open Innovation), which provide non-dilutive funding to develop and test solutions with local “opportunity owners.” This reduces time-to-traction and de-risks early commercialization. 

2) Clearer Capital Journeys

Scale Now connects companies to QDB pipelines (incubation → acceleration → investment), while the broader landscape—QDB’s active dealmaking and QIA’s fund-of-funds—improves access at seed through growth stages. Founders get better odds of meeting fit-for-stage investors without leaving the country. 

3) Regulatory and Go-to-Market Support

With MOCI embedded, startups get practical guidance on licensing, compliance, and commercialization. That means smoother market entry, quicker procurement readiness, and fewer unknowns when selling to large buyers.

4) Expansion Readiness (Regional & Global)

Invest Qatar’s role—alongside Scale Now tracks on capability building, local GTM, and expansion support—helps teams package case studies, refine pricing, and connect to cross-border partners. This is designed to convert local pilots into regional rollouts. 

5) Measurable Outcomes, Not Just Training

Scale Now has already demonstrated commercial impact (B2B deals, funding raised, and revenue lift). For founders, the program is structured around transactions and adoption, not just workshops—meaning a clearer line of sight to revenue and investment. 

The expanded Scale Now partnership converts Qatar’s policy ambition into an execution engine—combining pilots, capital, and market access—so that promising startups can scale faster at home and compete abroad. For founders, it’s a more navigable route from pilot to procurement to regional expansion.