Qatar Science & Technology Park
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Inaugurated in March 2009, QSTP is a home for technology-based companies from around the world, and an incubator of start-up enterprises. They provide premises, facilities and services and support programs that help organizations to develop and commercialize their technology.
Premises
Investing $600 million in its first phase of buildings, QSTP provides offices and laboratories designed for technology-based companies. Companies can lease premises in multi-user buildings, or commission buildings for design and build by QSTP. Companies cannot buy land or buildings at QSTP. Leases of up to 15 years are available for premises in multi-user buildings, and for single-user buildings construction and lease-backs are an option.
Innovation Centre - This business incubator helps small companies start and grow. It provides fully-furnished offices from 45 m2 withh meeting rooms, business services and expert advice on tap. The Innovation Centre is also the science park's communal hub, featuring cafes and open public spaces.
Tech centres - A pair of two-storey buildings suited for medium and large companies.Tech centers are able to accommodate both heavily equipped laboratories and modern offices. Spaces are available in increments of 500 m2, and each tenant fits out its space to its own unique needs.
Facilities and services
QSTP provides infrastructure and services designed to support day-to-day business needs:
• Advanced voice and data infrastructure.
• Meeting rooms with advanced audio-visual systems, plus areas for exhibitions
• "Hot" offices rentable for short periods
• Helpdesk and visitor reception
• Secretarial and document production services
• Full facilities management, security and access control
Free Zone
QSTP is a free-trade zone, making it attractive for technology-based companies. Benefits include:
• Incorporate a local company, or operate as a branch of a foreign company
• 100 percent foreign ownership
• Trade without local agent or sponsor
• Hire expatriate employees
• No taxes
• Duty-free import of goods and services
• Unrestricted repatriation of capital and profits
Access to research institutes
QSTP's key feature: co-location with top-ranked international universities at Doha's Education City, who are establishing teaching and research programs of identical standard as their home campuses.
Support Programs
Proof of Concept Fund
QSTP's Proof of Concept Fund provides grants for Qatar researchers to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of their innovations. It helps them to move their technology from the lab bench to the point that commercial investors are ready to back it. Proof of Concept Funds are grants, so they do not need to be repaid and QSTP does not gain any ownership over the intellectual property.
New Enterprise Fund
The New Enterprise Fund provides capital for start-up technology companies locating at Qatar Science & Technology Park.
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program
The Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program teaches the process of how great business ideas are generated, evaluated, and put into practice in the real world.
Mentoring Program
QSTP's Mentoring Program provides leaders of start-up companies at the science park with intensive, one-to-one guidance from experienced builders of technology businesses.
Investor Readiness Program
QSTP's Investor Readiness Program helps entrepreneurs raise capital by giving them the skills to prepare winning business plans and investment proposals.
Workshops and Seminars
Structured Investor Readiness Support Designed for entrepreneurs imminently seeking investment, and requiring intensive support to get there. An expert is assigned for up to 30 days to provide one-to-one coaching, with the cost covered by QSTP. At the end of this stream the entrepreneur is fully ready and intent on presenting to investors. Open to entrepreneurs and small-to-medium companies that intend to establish a tech start-up at QSTP.
Informal Investor Readiness Support
Designed for entrepreneurs requiring guidance from an investor-readiness expert, but at a level that is less intensive and formal than under the "structured" stream. Up to five days of one-to-one coaching is provided, the cost covered by QSTP. Open to entrepreneurs and small-to-medium companies that intend to establish a tech start-up at QSTP.
Current Members
• Chevron
• Cisco
• ConocoPhillips
• EADS
• ExxonMobil
• Fuego Digital Media
• GE
• Hydro
• iHorizons
• Institut de Soudure
• Meeza
• Microsoft
• Qatar Petroleum
• Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre
• Qatar University Wireless Center
• Rolls-Royce
• Shell
• SMARD
• Tata
• Total
• TRL
Qatar Foundation itself was established in 1995 by the Emir of Qatar, and has been chaired since by his wife Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned.
QSTP runs the TECHtalks networking seminars about technology-based business. The events are held about once per month in Doha and are free.
ANGLE plc was appointed by Qatar Foundation in 2004 to plan, implement and manage QSTP until 2009.
The design architect of QSTP is Woods Bagot (http://www.woodsbagot.com).
Video footage of the QSTP site is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wibig19sw-g
25°19′31.44″N 51°26′14.55″E / 25.3254°N 51.437375°E
