Doha, September 17 (QNA) - Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in collaboration with the Young Entrepreneur Club, organized the seventh edition of the 2025 Investment Forum, one of Qatar’s leading investment events fostering collaboration between entrepreneurs and investors.

The Forum brought together a leading group of international investors, venture capital funds, family offices, and financial institutions, alongside entrepreneurs and startups. It served as a vital platform for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and building sustainable partnerships.

Held under the theme “Family Offices: Unlocking Smart Capital for the Next Generation”, this year’s edition highlighted the expanding role of family offices in shaping Qatar’s investment landscape. Discussions emphasized their impact on promoting innovation, supporting entrepreneurship, and driving economic diversification in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The Forum featured specialized sessions that explored key global investment trends and highlighted growth opportunities in emerging sectors. It also offered extensive networking opportunities, reinforcing Qatar’s position as a rising hub for investment.

The Forum also provided an exceptional platform for startups to present their ventures to an audience of investors and industry experts. Eight Qatari and regional startups showcased innovative initiatives that reflect the strength and diversity of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The event also featured an awards ceremony recognizing two outstanding projects: ‘Wafir’, which received the Excellence in Innovation Award, while ‘AtriaGem’ was honored with the Excellence in Pitching Award.

On this occasion, CEO of Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al Sowaidi said: “Each year, the Investment Forum reaffirms its distinguished position within the investment landscape at both the local and regional levels. This year’s edition stood out for the depth of discussions among diverse participants and the tangible outcomes they generated."

He added that the Forum also highlighted the strong interaction between capital and innovative ideas within Qatar, underscoring the nation’s leadership in the global investment arena, and once again demonstrating the advancement of its investment environment and its capacity to translate ambition into impactful ventures that drive the national economy.

He added: “This year, the Forum placed particular emphasis on the growing role of family offices both regionally and globally. These institutions have become vital partners in shaping the future of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, leveraging accumulated expertise and directing investments toward the sectors of tomorrow. What we witnessed throughout the Forum reaffirms the importance of integrating family offices into the national entrepreneurial ecosystem, recognizing them as a cornerstone of the investment sector.”

For his part, Vice President of the Young Entrepreneurs Club Abdulrahman Tarek Al Emadi said: "The Investment Forum serves as a vital platform that brings together innovative minds and supportive capital, opening broad horizons for young entrepreneurs to realize their ambitions. At the Young Entrepreneurs Club, we believe that investing in the new generation of innovators is an investment in Qatar’s future, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a diversified and sustainable economy."

Fahad Abdulrahman Badar, EGM, Chief Wholesale and International Banking Officer at Commercial Bank, said: “The Investment Forum represents a real opportunity to explore the latest developments in the investment ecosystem both locally and globally, as it brings together key stakeholders in this field."

"The Forum’s objectives also align with our vision to strengthen a comprehensive financial ecosystem that offers entrepreneurs and SMEs genuine opportunities for growth and prosperity."

The 2025 Forum was supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Doha Tech Angels, and McKinsey & Company, with sponsorship from Qatar Investment Authority, Commercial Bank, and Qatar Financial Centre, whose contributions were instrumental in amplifying the impact and success of the event.

Qatar Development Bank remains committed to strengthening Qatar’s business ecosystem as an attractive hub for investment at both the regional and global levels. The success of this year’s edition reaffirmed QDB’s dedication to building a dynamic and innovative investment environment that empowers today’s and tomorrow’s generations of entrepreneurs and investors. (QNA)