Qatar Development Bank Wins Startup Ecosystem Star 2025 Award

Doha, Qatar -   Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has been awarded the Startup Ecosystem Star (SES) 2025 Award, presented by the International Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Mind the Bridge.

The award ceremony took place at the ICC headquarters in Paris, in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Commission.

The SES Award recognizes institutions worldwide that demonstrate sustained leadership, measurable impact, and comprehensive excellence in building and strengthening innovation ecosystems.

Recognition Across Three Key Categories

According to QDB, the bank was recognized across three major categories:

• Best-in-Class Startup Programs
• Outstanding Investment Boost
• Exceptional Industry Support

The recognition reflects QDB’s integrated approach to entrepreneurship development — combining financial support, capacity building, and ecosystem enablement to create a competitive and growth-oriented startup environment.

Strengthening Qatar’s Innovation Ecosystem

QDB’s ecosystem strategy spans the full startup lifecycle. The bank provides:

• Training and advisory services for entrepreneurs
• Incubation and acceleration programs
• Access to financing solutions
• Support for venture capital growth
• Export development initiatives
• Industrial sector enablement

Over the past years, QDB has played a central role in advancing Qatar’s venture capital landscape by facilitating partnerships between local and international investors, promoting private-sector participation, and supporting high-growth startups aligned with national economic diversification goals.

Positioning Qatar on the Global Entrepreneurship Map

The SES Award underscores QDB’s expanding international presence and its role in positioning Qatar as a competitive innovation hub.

By fostering collaboration among government entities, private-sector partners, and global stakeholders, QDB continues to contribute to strengthening the country’s entrepreneurial infrastructure and enhancing its global standing in innovation and startup development.

The recognition comes at a time when Qatar is accelerating efforts to diversify its economy through technology, venture capital, and knowledge-based industries — reinforcing the country’s broader commitment to long-term sustainable growth.