Doha, February 04 (QNA) - The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI) announced the winners of the first cycle of the Small Business Innovation Grant (SBIG), alongside the recipients of the Emerging Innovators award, highlighting QRDI's commitment to strengthening the country's research, development, and innovation ecosystem.

The announcement was made during a press conference concluding the Web Summit Qatar 2026, where QRDI revealed that the small and medium-sized enterprises and startups receiving the grant were awarded a total funding of QAR 30 million. The funding aims to accelerate innovation and transform projects into commercially viable solutions with tangible impact.

In this context, Senior Director of Innovation, Development, and Experimentation Programs at QRDI Nada Al Olaqi stated that the grant embodies a comprehensive approach to supporting companies in their early stages.

She noted that the program facilitates the transition from the idea phase to generating economic impact, aligning with national priorities and sustainable economic diversification.

She added that QRDI seeks, through targeted funding, solution showcase platforms, and experimentation opportunities, to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to scale their operations confidently, enhancing Qatar's position as a global competitive hub based on innovation and knowledge.

In parallel, QRDI honored the winners of the Emerging Innovators award, a strategic initiative targeting university and graduate students, aimed at preparing the next generation of innovation leaders in Qatar.

QRDI provided young innovators with the opportunity to present their projects and research with global applicability at its dedicated pavilion during the summit, demonstrating the state's commitment to investing in national talent and developing its research capabilities.

These initiatives form part of QRDI's ongoing efforts to build a supportive environment for creativity, connect innovators with global markets, and ensure the sustainable growth of the country's technology and research sector. (QNA)