Qatar’s long-term vision is paying off for entrepreneurs, says Startup Grind director

Startup Grind Doha chapter director Indica Amarasinghe says Qatar’s long-term economic planning is beginning to yield clear benefits for entrepreneurs, pointing to a recent expansion of the Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) Fund of Funds programme from $1bn to $3bn as a pivotal development. Amarasinghe told Gulf Times that the additional $2bn announced by His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Adbulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani at Web Summit Qatar 2026 will accelerate ecosystem growth, attract international investors and strengthen local startup capacity.

“Qatar laid the foundations for diversification many years ago, across different economic areas. The groundwork has been in place for a long time, and we’ve seen a huge acceleration over the last three to four years,” Amarasinghe said.

Amarasinghe, who leads the Doha chapter of global community Startup Grind, framed the QIA move as part of a broader, years-long strategy to diversify the economy and build supportive infrastructure for new ventures. He noted that the number of startups registering in Qatar and the funding rounds they have secured “have increased significantly,” and argued that these indicators show earlier policy and investment choices are now delivering results.

Detailing the Fund of Funds announcement, Amarasinghe said the PM’s speech at Web Summit Qatar 2026 included an additional $2bn commitment, bringing total capital under the programme to $3bn. He highlighted the near-term effects on the investor landscape: “Over the past year, several venture capital firms have opened offices in Qatar. With the new announcement in February 2026, six more VCs are expected, bringing the total to 12.”

Knowledge spillover and sector focus

Beyond capital, Amarasinghe emphasised the importance of institutional knowledge and mentorship that international venture capital firms bring. “The impact isn’t just about funding. Funding only happens when the right match exists between startups and investors. The real value is the knowledge spillover these VCs bring. They come with years of experience investing in successful startups globally, and their presence in Qatar enriches the ecosystem,” he said.

He pointed to fintech as a standout area of recent growth. “Over the last couple of years… the country has witnessed the rapid growth of the fintech sector, which startups, the government, and enablers have identified as spaces where new businesses can thrive,” Amarasinghe said, adding that startups’ agility allows them to respond and launch faster than larger firms, making them central to innovation and resilience.

Coordinated support and opportunities

Amarasinghe credited a coordinated set of public and quasi-public entities with strengthening the environment for entrepreneurs. He listed the principal organisations driving programmes and support aimed at both local and international startups:

• Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)
• Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI)
• Invest Qatar
• Qatar Development Bank (QDB)
• Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
• Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP)

On prospects for founders, Amarasinghe remained positive about momentum and opportunity. “The infrastructure and support systems Qatar has built for entrepreneurs remain intact, and I believe they will only be strengthened further. The government’s commitment to the startup community is clear — startups are an integral part of the country’s diversification strategy. Opportunities are not going away; if anything, they will increase,” he said, underlining that the combined effects of funding, mentorship and targeted programmes should help startups mature faster and contribute more substantially to Qatar’s economy.