The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council has announced that four local companies have been awarded grants: Karty LLC, Qatar Navigation (Milaha), Cytomate, and Syook. This announcement happened on January 28, 2024, in Doha by Qatar News Agency (QNA).
The Technology Development Grant (TDG) program, part of the QRDI 2030 strategy, aims to foster a vibrant R&D ecosystem. Initially launched as a pilot, the program is set for broader expansion following its soft launch.
Aiming to revolutionize Qatar’s innovation sector, the program seeks to significantly boost business R&D and encourage private sector investment in technology development. It targets for-profit companies in Qatar, including Small & Medium Enterprises, startups, large local enterprises, and multinational corporations, to support their R&D-driven product development or process innovation projects.
The program offers grants of up to QR 10 million to assist companies in undertaking technology, product, or process development projects to enhance their competitiveness in target markets. To qualify for funding, all development activities must be conducted locally, and companies are to create job opportunities for local tech talent as part of their projects.
“The TDG program demonstrates QRDI Council’s commitment to driving innovation and technological advancement in Qatar. Through this and other initiatives, we aim to increase the capacity for innovation in the country and raise the capability for R&D in companies operating in Qatar. Over time, we seek to position Qatar as a thriving hub for research, development, and innovation in the Middle East,” stated Secretary General of the QRDI Council Engr. Omar Ali Al Ansari.
Mohammed Suleiman, Co-Founder and CEO of Karty LLC, expressed his gratitude: “The support from the QRDI Council has been invaluable, providing both tangible and intangible benefits. We deeply appreciate this endorsement and support for local talent, which is crucial for our growth and competitive advantage. For startups like Karty, this backing is essential to developing the excellence needed to compete on both regional and global stages.”
Commenting on the recognition, Hammad Saleh Hadeed, CEO of Cytomate, remarked: “The backing from the QRDI Council allows us to expand our research capabilities and create cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions for operational technology environments. It also opens doors to new areas that were previously out of reach.”
Syook CEO, Arjun Nagarajan also shared his appreciation: “We are extremely grateful to the QRDI Council for awarding us the Technology Development Grant. This funding will significantly accelerate our progress in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sector. Our goal is to enhance safety and operational efficiency in industrial environments, both within Qatar and globally. This opportunity allows us to broaden our technological scope and improve industrial operations worldwide.”
