TLDR:
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) plans to introduce Qatar’s inaugural venture capital (VC) Fund of Funds, an investment program aimed at fostering innovation in the country by allocating over $1 billion to international and regional venture capital funds. The program aims to bridge the current funding gap for local and regional entrepreneurs, particularly in technology, healthcare, fintech, and edtech sectors.
Summary:
Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has announced a $1 billion investment to support local and regional entrepreneurs through Qatar’s first venture capital (VC) Fund of Funds. The program aims to generate market-level commercial returns and promote the sustainable development of a thriving VC and startup ecosystem, aligning with Qatar’s National Development Strategy. The focus will be on attracting international VC funds and entrepreneurs to the region, with a priority on the technology sector.
The Fund of Funds program will exclusively invest in VC funds and address the funding gap for growing companies. Fund managers seeking to raise funds will need to demonstrate a strong track record and commitment to Qatar and the GCC VC and startup ecosystem. The program will maximize synergies through collaboration with the broader VC and startup ecosystem in Qatar, accelerating the development of Qatar’s venture capital ecosystem by providing financial resources while incorporating global best practices and networks into the local market.