We will be accepting applications from 8th June 2020 to 31st July 2020.

Once our applications open, we will be sharing the link to apply on our website. Keep checking our social media pages to stay up to date.

The program will start on 13th September and have a duration of 12 weeks culminating in Mid-December 2020 with a Demo day. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the programs for wave 1 will run virtually in order to ensure the safety of those involved.

Both local and global FinTech’s with a Minimum Viable Product (“MVP”) focusing on payments, Islamic finance, RegTech, or solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (“SME”) and FinTechs willing to setup their office in Qatar can apply for our Incubator program

• FinTech’s with a proven product-market fit focusing on payments, Islamic finance, RegTech, or solutions for Small and Medium Enterprises (“SME”).
• FinTech’s with established revenues and investments.
• FinTech’s looking for global expansion.
• FinTech’s with dedicated and experienced leadership teams.
• FinTechs willing to setup their office in Qatar.

Our team will be in touch with FinTechs who made the shortlist. We will then invite the top 15-20 FinTechs (for Incubator program) and 15-20 FinTechs (for Accelerator program) to our pitch days and will make a final selection of 10-15 FinTechs for each of our programs

We will notify as soon as possible after the evaluation process is completed. We will try to inform at least 2 weeks before our pitch days.

The pitch days will be held between 5th to 25th August 2020. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the pitch days for wave 1 will take place virtually in order to ensure a successful hackathon and maintain the safety of those involved.

To maintain fairness to the rest of applicants we will not be accepting late applications. To participate in our programs in future waves, follow our social media handles to stay up to date.

We will be accepting applications from 3rd June 2020 to 5th July 2020.

Once our applications open, we will be sharing the link to apply on our website. Keep checking our social media pages to stay up to date.

The finalists for Hackathon will be announced on 8th July 2020. There will be deep dive session from 20th to 22nd July followed by a pitch day on 23rd July 2020. Due to the current Covid-19 situation, the Hackathon for wave 1 will take place virtually in order to ensure a successful hackathon and maintain the safety of those involved.

The Hackathon winners will be automatically accepted into the incubation program without foregoing the filtration and acceptance process. Link for Incubator page

Budding entrepreneurs looking to validate their ideas and concepts in the field of payments can apply for Hackathon

The main objective the Hackathon aims to solve the local FinTech challenges, use cases and pain points shared amongst our partners and members. In addition, the Hackathon winners will be offered the chance to participate in the incubation program.

• Challenge 1:- Driving digital payments, merchant acceptance, and credit
• Challenge 2:- Digitally transforming B2B payments value chain
• Challenge 3:- Enabling intuitive and frictionless cross-border payments

Since wave 1 of our programs will run virtually, you can take part in the programs without moving to Qatar

No. You are not required to stay in Qatar post the program. However, we recommend you retain your office in Qatar so we can support your journey post the program as well.

We’re looking for innovative entrepreneurs and FinTech’s with an appetite to revolutionize the financial services market and have global impact. This can be done by leveraging emerging technologies or co-innovating solutions for existing challenges in the following focus areas:

• Islamic Finance
• RegTech
• Payment

QFTH offers the incubated FinTechs a comprehensive funding and support worth ~$250,000 that includes cash investments of $40,000 paid out in tranches and subject to milestone deliverables.

QFTH offers the accelerated FinTechs exclusive support worth ~$300,000 that includes cash investments of $100,000 paid out in tranches and subject to milestone deliverables.

Local Market Access

We are fortunate to have partnered Qatar Central Bank (QCB) which supports the programs and also with over 15 local financial institutions and government bodies (regulators) all forming the Qatar FinTech Taskforce (“QFTF”). QFTF members will be regularly active in the programs, interacting with the participating FinTechs as well as attending investor and demo days.

Global Market Access

Our incubator and accelerator programs will facilitate access to global business development opportunities as well as extensive visibility through participation in marque global FinTech events.

In addition, we can put you in contact with our vast network of global FinTech centric hubs and partners, such as SFA, Innovate Finance, Mumbai FinTech Hub, EY, Microsoft and many more.

Kindly find a full list of our partners on the below link: QFTH Partners

Through the programs, we will put you in contact with our mentor network, comprised of local key decision makers and seasoned global FinTech influencers. We have a mentor – FinTech matchmaking process which ensures that the right mentor is assigned to you and ensures added value to your FinTech.

In Qatar there are two main company registration issuers, the Qatar Financial Centre (“QFC”) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. As a part of this program, the QFC will waive off the registration and license fee for the first year, worth USD 10,000 as well as provide fast track work visa. There are several other differences between each registration type, contact us separately for a better recommendation.

For the duration of the program, we will provide you with ample office space within the QFTH premises. In addition, the QFC will offer free coworking space for a period of 1 year once the program has finished for a maximum of 2 people.

However, since the programs for wave 1 will run virtually there wouldn’t be any requirement for logistics/office support

We are in regular contact with the Qatar Central Bank (“QCB”) and can recommend your FinTech to their regulatory Sandbox. Additionally, the QCB is part of the QFTF and will participate at various points during the programs.

The primary language that we use in verbal and written communications for the QFTH will be English.

Yes, within your application you can choose a second-choice program or let us know you are only interested in that program or want help determining another program. Regardless of what you select, we’ll review your choices and see if you are a good fit for other programs.

Multiple applications do not increase your chances of acceptance, so pick the program that is the best fit for you and only submit one company representing your idea.

As we review applications, if multiple representatives from QFTH reach out you should feel comfortable discussing your program preferences

We aim to support all entrepreneurs in the FinTech sector, we encourage you to explore more about our programs and determine which would be most helpful to you at this stage of your company journey.

Travel to Qatar is only accessible through the Hamad International Airport. Expenses for traveling to Qatar are not covered by Qatar FinTech Hub.

Since the programs for wave 1 will run virtually there is no requirement to travel to Qatar as well as a Qatar visa. However, if you plan to visit Qatar, 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

Please feel free to contact info@fintech.qa