Microsoft Qatar and the Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide unprecedented training and business opportunities for promising start-ups, entrepreneurs and students.
With this, QBIC is set to become part of Microsoft’s BizSpark scheme, which provides free software and support for start-ups, as well as access to a global online community. Entrepreneurs will also benefit from online and offline training guidance from Microsoft DirectX specialists, including the App Academy, Ask the Expert sessions, and Microsoft’s Virtual Academy.
QBIC is one of the largest specialised mixed-use business incubators in the Middle East and North Africa region, tasked with fostering Qatar’s next QR100mn companies through training, networking, investment and administrative support.
Microsoft Qatar has supported the nation’s rapidly growing economy since its establishment in Qatar in 2003, providing specialist technical services from its offices at Qatar Science and Technology Park.
“QBIC’s mission is a vital part of our national journey towards a strong, balanced and sustainable economy. Providing access to training and support from Microsoft Qatar is an enormous boost to the package we can offer entrepreneurs, and we can’t wait to get started,” Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa, chairman of QBIC, said.
QBIC will host the Microsoft campus roadshow and student partner bootcamps, encouraging tech students to take advantage of the many opportunities on offer and participate in Microsoft’s signature student technology annual event Imagine Cup.
“We are living in an era where technology plays a central role in the functioning of businesses. Unfortunately, such advanced technological assistance is not readily available in the region, but with Microsoft BizSpark, we can ensure that our start-ups are progressing and moving in the right direction,” according to Aysha al-Mudahka, QBIC chief executive.
Naim Yazbeck, Microsoft Qatar general manager, said this new agreement makes sense from every angle: by working together to deliver unprecedented training and other opportunities for entrepreneurs, “we are also supporting the growth of our future clients and partners.”