Qatar SportsTech’s Accelerator Program is dedicated to innovative sportstech startups looking to accelerate their growth whilst contributing to transforming the sports industry in Qatar and beyond.

Doha, 01 July 2020 - Qatar SportsTech (QST), the region’s first startup accelerator and hub for innovative sportstech companies, has opened applications for the third cohort of its Accelerator Program in Qatar, set to start in September 2020. 

Held in Aspire Zone, the heart of Doha’s Sports City, QST’s intensive three-month Accelerator Program will run from mid-September to mid-December 2020. The program is designed to help participant innovative startups accelerate their growth and further develop their solutions in the industry, in line with QST’s vision to be a catalyst for reshaping sports technology in the region and beyond. 

Startups participating in QST’s Accelerator Program have the opportunity to engage in specialized workshops hosted by international experts; one-on-one mentoring sessions with more than 250 industry specialists; partner support from world-class professionals and global leaders in sportstech; support from QST’s founding partner, Qatar Development Bank (QDB), including an initial investment; media exposure; and much more. 

During the program, accelerated startups will have access to QST’s global partners’ network, and the opportunity to work closely with the key industry players driving Qatar’s sports industry, including QDB and QST’s strategic partners: Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC), Aspire Zone Foundation, beIN Media Group and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. 

QST’s second cohort, who just completed their Demo Day in June, came from 8 different countries and worked with top global organizations, including Qatar Airways, Microsoft, Serie A, Gucci, Primeira Liga Portugal, Benfica TV and others. 

Commenting on the launch of applications for the third cohort, Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Mannai, Executive Director of Advisory & Incubation at QDB, said: “We highly encourage local and international sportstech startups with innovative solutions to leverage this opportunity and support Qatar’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading sports hub globally. QST’s Accelerator Program is dedicated to growing the sports industry and sportstech startups that are bold enough to make a difference. I would also like to thank all of our local and global partners for their continuous support.”

Heba Almasri, Managing Director at QST, commented: “We are excited to welcome new innovative ideas that will reshape the future of sports on a global scale. Thanks to the support of our partners and the dedication of our mentors, we have seen a large demand to join the previous cohorts. I have no doubt that the coming cohort will leave its own mark with new innovative projects that will scale up to global levels, from Qatar to the world.”

Applications to the Accelerator Program will remain open until 31st July at 11: 59 PM (GMT+03), with the shortlisted candidates invited to a Selection Day with QST’s partners, to be held early September this year. The program will end in December with a large Demo-Day event, where each of the 10 startups will showcase their business and their progress during the Program, to QST partners, potential investors and members of the press.

Sportstech startups who are interested in applying are advised to visit QST’s website qatarsportstech.com to find out more about the requirements and how to apply.

In 2019, Qatar SportsTech won the ‘Most Innovative Company’ award at the QFC’s 2019 Qatar Business Awards ceremony, which recognized QST’s commitment to innovation and the future of the SportsTech industry in Qatar. In 2020, Qatar SportsTech were featured in SportsTechX’s first Asian SportsTech Report 2020, which highlighted leading accelerator and incubators driving the growth of sportstech across the region.