Invest Qatar wins 2026 UN Investment Promotion Award

The Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) has won the United Nations Investment Promotion Award for 2026, in recognition of its efforts in attracting and supporting promising startups and technology companies through its pioneering initiative "Start from Qatar".

In a statement today, the agency explained that the initiative is a qualitative national project that contributes to consolidating the position of the State of Qatar as a leading global destination for innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in the digital economy.

The IAEA was honored during the ninth edition of the World Investment Forum, hosted by the State of Qatar in partnership with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where the award is awarded in recognition of excellence in attracting investments to the digital economy.

The agency was selected from 48 entries representing 40 countries, based on criteria that included innovation and facilitation of investment promotion methods, the effectiveness of attracting sustainable foreign direct investment, and contributing to the promotion of digital transformation and sustainable development.

Dr. Hamad Rashid Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Strategy at IPA, said: "Receiving the 2026 United Nations Investment Promotion Award is an important recognition of our joint national efforts to build an integrated, accessible and globally competitive startup ecosystem."

"Through the Start from Qatar initiative, we are working to enable promising companies to access the information, funding, partnerships and support needed to set up, grow and scale their businesses in Qatar, and this award reflects the progress we have made thanks to the close collaboration between various stakeholders in the UAE's startup ecosystem."

Since its launch in February 2024, Start from Qatar has provided an integrated ecosystem that facilitates access to finance, incubation programs, strategic partnerships and support services tailored to the needs of businesses, enabling innovative companies to establish and grow their businesses and expand their operations in Qatar.

The agency confirmed that the initiative provides an integrated package of incentives in accordance with the highest international standards, including free and fast registration of companies, artificial intelligence computing credits, and customized residency programs.

The initiative has contributed to the establishment of more than 850 startups in the State of Qatar, where the initiative's funding programs have attracted wide international attention, with more than 10,000 applications submitted to its various programs, while more than 50 startups have been able to obtain more than $100 million in funding.

In addition to the dedicated funding programs, the Start from Qatar initiative expands entrepreneurs' access to potential funding sources through the Invest Qatar Portal, which allows them to connect with 16 venture capital funds that have established their presence in Qatar through the Qatar Investment Authority's Funds Program, and to date, more than 500 startups have benefited from this service to connect with participating funds.

The Start from Qatar initiative brings together key stakeholders within Qatar's startup ecosystem, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Government Communications Office, Qatar Investment Authority, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Free Zones Authority, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Qatar Media City, Qatar Human Resources Solutions Company Jusoor, Qatar Tourism, and Hayya.

This collaboration provides startups with direct access to institutions, programs, and services that support the establishment and growth of businesses in the State of Qatar, and embodies the joint national efforts to build an integrated and facilitated business environment that enables entrepreneurs to access funding, infrastructure, market opportunities, and specialized support services, thereby promoting the growth of startups and consolidating the competitiveness of the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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