QRDI Council’s Qatar Open Innovation Program Achieves Significant Milestones
In an impressive show of innovation and collaboration, the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council’s Qatar Open Innovation (QOI) program continues to flourish since its inception in 2022. The initiative has significantly contributed to fostering a dynamic exchange between Qatar’s prominent enterprises and the worldwide innovation community.
The program rolled out 46 Open Innovation Calls in partnership with 19 local partners across diverse sectors including agriculture, energy and environment, AI and technology, healthcare, and transportation. A phenomenal response was witnessed with 1154 submissions from around the globe, positioning Qatar as the second-largest contributor with 129 submissions from local companies.
Eng. Omar Al-Ansari, Secretary General of QRDI Council, highlighted the program’s mission, “The Qatar Open Innovation Program aims to create a vital marketplace for cutting-edge technologies. It focuses on collaboration between Qatar’s large local enterprises and government agencies with the private sector to foster technological advancements and encouragement of local and international talent within Qatar’s innovation ecosystem.”
So far, 20 promising projects have received awards and are in various stages of implementation, turning innovative concepts into reality.
Notable Projects Underway
One of the highlighted projects includes “Digital Port & Marine Services Platform supported by Blockchain Technology.” A partnership between Milaha and Vendia, a US-based data management startup, has optimized maritime services demonstrating significant operational improvements and paving the way for a broader digital maritime ecosystem for Qatar.
Similarly, “Smart Tools for Audio Analytics in IoT networks” marks another success story where Ooredoo and Groundup.ai, a Singapore-based IoT solutions provider, have developed an accurate predictive model for asset failure, presenting new business avenues in various industries.
These examples underscore the program’s effectiveness in spearheading collaborative innovation and advancing technological and environmental sustainability in Qatar’s key sectors.
Collaboration and Commitment to Innovation
The diversity in participation and the technical prowess showcased through the Open Innovation Calls have been lauded by the large local enterprise partners involved. The program’s success in advancing innovation aligns with the partners’ expectations and enthusiasm for further innovative initiatives in collaboration with QRDI Council under the Qatar Open Innovation program.
Supported by QRDI Council, the program not only offers funding but also access to state-of-the-art facilities and services, facilitating the thorough vetting and development of innovative solutions. This effort aims to boost technological progress in the region.
About the Qatar Open Innovation Program
The Qatar Open Innovation Program is designed as a collaborative platform for startups and innovative companies to participate in challenges set by potential governmental and corporate buyers. It aims to co-create market-ready solutions, connecting startups with industry leaders to pilot transformative innovations. The initiative supports Qatar’s strategic goals in energy, health, sustainability, society, and digital technology sectors as outlined in the QRDI 2030 Strategy.
About QRDI Council
The QRDI Council stands as a beacon for advancing research, fostering global innovation collaborations, and attracting international talent to Qatar. It endeavors to position Qatar as a global hub for research, innovation, and development, aligning with the Qatar National Vision 2030. The Council’s activities and vision can be followed through their website and social media platforms, inviting engagement and staying attuned to its pivotal role in enhancing Qatar’s growth and prosperity through innovation.
