Doha, February 02 (QNA) - Demand for technology-focused investment is increasing under Qatar's Startup Qatar Investment program, according to a senior official at Qatar Development Bank (QDB).

Executive Director of Investment and Incubation at QDB, Mohammed Al Emadi, said the program had received more than 6,000 applications to date, with investment secured in around 40 companies and funding exceeding USD 40 million.

Speaking during a panel at Web Summit Qatar 2026, Al Emadi said the figures reflected QDB's broader efforts to strengthen Qatar's start-up ecosystem.

He explained that the bank's strategy focuses on three main pillars: supporting innovation, developing start-ups, and boosting exports. "From idea generation to market entry and global expansion, we support companies at every stage," he said, noting that QDB offers a wide range of services to start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Al Emadi also highlighted the bank's work in venture capital and business incubation, revealing that its venture capital fund has expanded and that there are plans to scale up the investment program in response to growing demand.

He added that QDB works closely with government agencies to support companies as they establish operations in Qatar, helping them obtain licenses, scale their businesses and grow exports. This includes support through Qatar Exports (Tasdeer), the bank's export arm, which provides a range of services for exporters. He described the overall offering as a comprehensive support package for companies choosing Qatar as their base.

Also speaking at the session, Timothy Rowe, Founder and Chairman of the Cambridge Innovation Center, said innovation was accelerating globally, with start-ups increasingly selecting locations that offer talent, stable business environments and long-term certainty.

He noted that the Cambridge Innovation Center now hosts around 1,200 start-ups and has expanded internationally, with facilities in countries including Japan, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands.

Panelists also pointed to rapid economic growth across the Gulf region, describing it as one of the world's most dynamic areas, with increasing regional integration.

They said the recently announced high-speed electric rail project linking Qatar and Saudi Arabia would further enhance functional integration across the region.

The speakers stressed that innovation is central to driving economic growth, underlining the importance of political and regulatory stability, transparent policies, investment protection, a strong youth demographic and high-quality education systems in fostering sustainable innovation ecosystems. (QNA)