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Who is Qatar SportsTech?
With over a decade of experience in startup investments and acceleration, we are now in Doha to accelerate the sports industry to new heights. We are one of the frontiers in disrupting this vibrant market by facilitating partnerships between the most promising SportsTech startups and leading brands and organizations. Qatar SportsTech is initiated by Qatar Development Bank, powered by Startupbootcamp and supported by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Stars League, beIN Media Group, Qatar Financial Centre, Aspire Zone Foundation, MBK Holding and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Our Accelerator Program
Our vision is to transform Doha into one of the leading sports hubs and contribute to Qatar’s diversification goals through the facilitation of corporate startup collaboration through our accelerator program.
Following a rigorous recruitment process, 10 selected startups are invited to participate in the three-month intensive accelerator program in Aspire Zone, the beating heart of sports in Qatar. Each startup is incentivized and invited to register their company with 100% ownership in Qatar.
Leveraging over a decade of experience within Rainmaking history, a 12 week, part-time program has been created to develop and accelerate the entrepreneurship journey.
read moreRecruitment
Our Accelerator program requires the founding team to relocate to Qatar full-time for three months. We scout the world for startups that use cutting edge technology to reshape the industry of sports. The goal is to accelerate the startups’ growth and is applicable for early and/or seed-stage startups, who contribute to one of the categories in our thesis (below).
After this intensive recruitment period, we invite the top 20 startups to our virtual Selection Day event. Here we lay the fundamentals for collaboration between the startups and our corporate partners for the duration of the Accelerator program. During the event decision-makers from leading local and global organizations inquire which startups can help them obtain their strategic objectives, which results in selecting ten startups. Check out the FAQs section for more details!
Thesis
Click on each category below for more details.
Partners
Sportstech is a fast-growing domain that is complex. The business activities are ranging from ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandising to media rights and more. That’s why we’ve partnered up with the very best in the industry, to give our startups the full backup that they need! These individuals have made the industry into what it is today and they’re eager to embrace new technologies to take the world of sports to the next level! Therefore, through these essential partnerships with leading organizations and brands below, startups participating in our Accelerator Program have the support of the entire sports and entrepreneurial ecosystems in Qatar.
Founding Partner
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Strategic Partners
Mentors
Are you passionate about innovation in the sports industry?
Do you want to share your expertise with entrepreneurs and help put their ideas into practice?
We’d love to connect with you and discuss how we can take this forward!
Alumni
FAQs
Accelerator Program
When can I apply to the Qatar SportsTech Accelerator program?
We are accepting applications from the 1st of July 2021 until 11:59PM GMT+3 on the 30th of September 2021.
How do I apply to Qatar Sportstech?
The application link is at the top of our website, or you can click here: www.f6s.com/sbcqatarsportstech2021/apply
What happens after I submit my application?
Our team will be in touch with startups who made the shortlist and will schedule a video conference.
We will then invite the top 20 startups to our virtual Selection Day and will make the final selection of 10 startups from that group.
When will I know about being invited to Selection Day?
We aim to notify all applicants as soon as possible after the application deadline whether or not they are invited to attend the Selection Days. You will be informed, at the latest, three weeks in advance of Selection Day with all the necessary practical information.
When and where will the Selection Days take place?
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Selection Day will be held virtually on Thursday, 28th October (to be confirmed).
About You
Who can apply?
For the Qatar SportsTech Accelerator, we are specifically looking for startups who are working on solving problems and creating opportunities within the SportsTech industry. The basis for all of our partnerships is, that we want to collaborate with people who share our values and our vision.
To qualify, you must:
- have a sports-focused product.
- have a working MVP.
- have traction.
- have more than 1 team member.
- be willing to be based in Qatar full-time for the duration of the program.
- be looking to register a branch in Qatar through Qatar Financial Centre.
How many members of the team can join the program?
Up to 4 members of your team can attend Qatar Sportstech for the full 3 months.
About the Location
How do I get to Qatar?
You need to fly to Hamad International Airport in Qatar. Expenses for traveling to Qatar are not covered by Qatar SportsTech. To find our office location, check the Google maps link below.
Do I need a VISA to join the program in Qatar?
You will need a VISA to enter Qatar and, in most cases, a tourist VISA will suffice. Find more information here about how long your VISA will last: http://www.visitqatar.qa/plan/visas-requirements.html
Apply for a VISA here: https://www.qatarairways.com/en/qatar-tourist-visa.html
About the Program
Can I take part in the program without moving to Qatar?
1 – 4 core team members are required to attend the program.
Do I need to stay in Qatar after the program is finished?
No. After the program, you are free to move anywhere. However, keep in mind that we do look for startups that are looking to establish a branch in Qatar. So as long as you’re registered in Qatar and spend 6 months of the year here, you can move anywhere.
I have other commitments, can I join the program for less than three months?
Once your startup qualifies to join the program, our partners, mentors and team are fully committed to investing in your success. So, your team is expected to be equally committed and on-site for the 3 months. However, team members can rotate on who is present throughout the program.
What happens during the program?
To accelerate your startup throughout the 3-month program. Your startup will benefit from:
- Having privileged access to Qatar Sportstech prototype and test labs.
- Working directly with the global partners and leaders such as innovation engineers, product category owners, innovation & creative leaders, value chain experts and professionals.
- Attending startup classes and workshops – tailored to your needs for building your company.
- Receiving hands-on support from our experts – on topics such as business development, UX, design, growth hacking and fundraising.
The program will end in December with a large Demo-Day event, where each of the 10 startups will showcase their business and their progress during the program, to the partners, external investors and the press.
What is your approach to taking out equity?
QST invests $150,000 of which, $20K is in cash and $130K in the discounted in-kind value, for 7% equity stake. Startups who have a valid MVP and traction may be eligible for an additional $20K in funding, based on approval from our Investment Committee.
There is the option for special cases – special cases are considered for startups who have previously raised at a higher valuation and can provide proof through 1) investment contract and 2) finances received. All special cases are subject to approval through a committee and may delay response.
You can find a template of our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Convertible Note here:
How can people outside the program see what is happening?
Throughout the program, we regularly update our website and social media channels with photos and footage of our ongoing partner events, specialist workshops, social events, community events and other content. We also have close relations with the local media and our startups and their innovations are often featured in local articles.
There will be a Demo Day in February. To keep the focus of this day on supporting our 10 startups, this event will only be open to external investors and the press. However, you can follow our Demo Day updates through our and our startups’ social media channels.
Is accomodation provided as part of the program?
No, Qatar Sportstech will not provide accommodation. However, we will help you to find accomodation.
We provide free office space for your team (1-4 people) for the three months duration of the program and for three months to settle in after the program.
I have more questions!
Great! Please schedule a session with us using the Calendly popup on our website or email us on hello@qatarsportstech.com