• Provide capital to SMEs actively owned/managed by Qataris across industries.
• Breed innovation and encourage the formation of new ventures in Qatar to contribute to the country’s aspiration to build a knowledge-based economy.
• Build capabilities and networks to accelerate Qatari SMEs’ accessibility to world-class standards and increase the probability of successful development.
• Generate value-neutral returns that can be re-invested in subsequent programs.

• Size: QAR 365 million
• Target allocation: 20% in innovative small enterprises and 80% in growing medium enterprises (all Qatari-owned and with active involvement of Qataris in management).
• Program term: 8-10 years (5 years for deployment and 3-5 years holding period).
• Geography: Qatar
• Industry: Sector-agnostic approach focused on supporting viable businesses with preference for strategic sectors (except construction, contracting and trade).
• Target shareholding: Less than 50% stake
• Equity buy-back option: With predetermined conditions for entrepreneur to buy it back from the program.
• Ticket size: QAR 1.5 – 7 million and QAR 3.5 – 18 millions​ for innovative small enterprises and growing medium enterprises respectively, although exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

• Voting rights: Seat on Board of Directors, “Veto” on critical decisions such as sale of assets, company liquidation, obtaining debt and capital equity from banks and other investors and stock market listing.
• Value generation: Close collaboration with entrepreneurs, growth plan management, transformation story, implementation of best practices and provision of contacts in a wider QDB/Qatari ecosystem.

The investment criteria varies ​depending on the size of the enterprise and can be summarized as below:

• For Innovative Small Enterprises:
  • Qatari-owned operational company
  • Active Qatari involvement in management
  • Growth and expansion plan from existing revenues​
  • Potential of value-added generation
  • Scalable model
  • Potential to build sustainable competitive advantage
  • Number of employees less than 250
  • Total turnover less than QAR 100 million
  • Total assets less than QAR 50 million
  • Term of operational activities less than 3 years
• For Growing Medium Enterprises:​​​​
  • Qatari-owned operational company
  • Active Qatari involvement in management
  • Successful management track record
  • Successful financial track record
  • Growth and expansion plan
  • Value generation potential
  • Scalable model
  • Potential to build sustainable competitive advantage
  • Number of employees less than 250
  • Total turnover less than QAR 100 million
  • Total assets less than QAR 50 million
  • At least 3 years of financial statements

• Investment within priority areas: To be in one of the priority areas of investment, such as innovative business ideas and/or knowledge-based concepts with added value and potential to grow.
• Business track record: To have a stable business model and operations, supported by existing records on business financials and operations for at least 2 years.
• Market knowledge and experience: To have deep understanding of target market, market outlook, growth opportunities and risk mitigation plans. And to have the potential to build a sustainable competitive advantage.
• Value creation: To have a clear case that requires investment leading to growth or incremental value.​
  
• Qualified management team: To have a qualified, dedicated management team which possesses both management and technical knowledge to achieve the investment plan, with an active Qatari partner among the team*.

In addition to the above, QDB also invests in venture capital funds internationally provided that the investments:

• Are showing a good return potential
• Are contributing to the development of the Qatar innovation ecosystem.