QU, HyperThink Systems honour Qatari innovators

Qatar University (QU), through its Centre for Entrepreneurship at the College of Business and Economics and in partnership with HyperThink Systems, on May 20, 2026 concluded the Qatar Entrepreneurship Awards (QEA) Award Day to recognise entrepreneurs and startups contributing to Qatar’s digital economy and innovation ecosystem. The ceremony convened industry leaders, innovators, investors and policymakers to celebrate achievements across fintech, healthtech, e‑commerce, sustainability and entrepreneurial excellence, while promoting ICT and digital entrepreneurship in support of Qatar National Vision 2030.

"Each year, we see promising ideas and ventures that reflect the creativity, resilience, and ambition shaping Qatar’s future economy. We are proud to support innovators who are developing impactful solutions and contributing to a thriving knowledge-based society,” said Dr Khalid al-Hashimi, director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Event context and organisers

The awards were organised by QU’s Centre for Entrepreneurship in collaboration with HyperThink Systems and positioned as a national platform to identify and support high‑potential ventures, strengthen collaboration across the startup ecosystem, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Awdesh Chetal, CEO of HyperThink Systems, framed the winners as representatives of Qatar’s AI-era ambitions: "As CEO of HyperThink Systems, I’m inspired by the bold talent at this year’s Entrepreneurship Awards. Qatar’s startups aren’t just adapting to the AI era; they’re shaping it.”

Winners and recognitions

The ceremony recognised winners across multiple categories for their contributions to innovation and digital transformation in the country. Maisoun Sewailem, senior pre-incubation specialist at the Centre for Entrepreneurship and project lead for the Qatar Entrepreneurship Awards, emphasised early-stage support: "Young people bring boundless creativity and fresh perspectives; many of their ideas have the potential to become tomorrow’s successful startups. By recognising and supporting school-aged innovators early, we support the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthen Qatar’s future as a knowledge-driven, digitally led economy."

• Delivery Startup of the Year (E‑Commerce): Shipbee
• HealthTech Startup of the Year: Eshfaa
• DeepTech Startup of the Year: RFxAI
• Sustainability Startup of the Year: Revio Technologies
• FinTech Startup of the Year: ALT DRX
• EduTech Startup of the Year: MuallemI
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year: Bevol
• Startup of the Year: Avey

Individual and ecosystem awards

• Youth Entrepreneur of the Year: Mohab Mohamed Kamal, founder and CEO of ConnectED
• Woman Entrepreneur of the Year: Thuraya Nasser al-Mulla, founder and CEO of Receipts
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Ghanim al-Sulaiti, founder and CEO of Enbat Group
• Ecosystem Enablers Award recipients:
  • Marcel Dridje, Startup Ecosystem advisor, European Business Angel Network
  • Michael Lints, founding partner MENA, Golden Gate Ventures
  • Dr Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, president, Young Entrepreneurs Club
  • Hamad Mubarak al-Hajri, founder and CEO, Snoonu
  • HE Fahad Bin Mohammed al-Attiyah, founder and CEO, Caravane Earth Foundation

The awards day doubled as a networking and knowledge‑exchange platform for startups, investors and industry stakeholders, reinforcing ties across Qatar’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Organisers framed the QEA as contributing to human, economic and sustainable development goals under Qatar National Vision 2030 by inspiring young innovators and supporting solutions that address national priorities.

Looking ahead, QU and HyperThink Systems signalled continued focus on mentoring, pre‑incubation and cross‑sector collaboration to help awardees scale and attract investment, with organisers stressing the importance of sustained support to turn early ideas into commercially viable and socially impactful ventures.