Qatar Chamber hosts session to Mark Global Entrepreneurship Day

Qatar Chamber convened a panel session titled “Global Entrepreneurship Day: From Establishment to Expansion and Investment” on August 23, 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and institutional representatives to examine the lifecycle of startups from idea formation to scaling and securing investment. The event, held in partnership with the Young Entrepreneurs Centre, was moderated by Hind al-Kuwari, executive leader and strategic advisor, and featured panelists Abdullah al-Khunji, general partner at Finjan Investment and co‑founder of Flair Business Centre; Haifa al‑Abdulla, director of Programmes at Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP); and lawyer Abdullah al‑Ajmi.

“Hosting the session reflects the chamber’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and business owners and strengthening their capabilities by providing platforms that bring them together with experts and institutions supporting entrepreneurship,” said Fatima al‑Kuwari, head of Training and Development at Qatar Chamber.

Panel focus and practical guidance

The discussion mapped common hurdles founders face in the establishment and expansion stages and highlighted practical mechanisms to overcome them. Panelists examined how to turn nascent ideas into viable, scalable businesses and stressed the importance of market research and opportunity identification as early, non‑negotiable steps in that process. Speakers also urged entrepreneurs to develop sustainable business models that can withstand market fluctuations.

Abdullah al‑Khunji drew on his investment experience at Finjan Investment and his work with Flair Business Centre to underscore the role of clear value propositions and repeatable unit economics when pitching to investors. Haifa al‑Abdulla discussed programme-level support at QSTP, emphasizing incubation and acceleration pathways designed to ready technology‑driven ventures for growth. Lawyer Abdullah al‑Ajmi addressed legal and regulatory considerations startups must navigate during formation and cross‑border expansion.

• Transforming ideas: rigorous market research and product‑market fit testing were flagged as critical first steps.
• Sustainable models: founders were urged to prioritise recurring revenue and cost discipline early on.
• Access to capital: the panel discussed matching business stage to funding type and preparing investor‑ready documentation.
• Strategic partnerships: collaborations with corporates, universities and accelerators were presented as routes to both scale and market access.
• Support infrastructure: incubation programmes, business accelerators and institutional platforms were highlighted as catalysts for entrepreneurial capability building.

Speakers repeatedly cited innovation and adaptability as essential qualities for navigating a rapidly changing business environment. They shared lessons learned from their professional roles to encourage entrepreneurs to leverage institutional supports—such as QSTP programmes and the networks fostered by centres like Flair Business Centre—to shorten the path from establishment to expansion.

Outlook

Organisers framed the session as part of a continuing effort to strengthen Qatar’s entrepreneurship ecosystem by connecting founders with investors, legal advisers and programme managers. With stakeholders focused on sustainable business models, clearer routes to finance and deeper collaboration between incubators, accelerators and the private sector, the conversation pointed toward incremental improvements in how startups are prepared for scale and investment. Qatar Chamber and its partners signalled plans to continue convening similar discussions to translate the panel’s recommendations into practical support for entrepreneurs.