Ooredoo is committed to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs at all stages of growth and development. The company focuses on encouraging entrepreneurial youths and the community in many of the markets across its global footprint.
From incubation programs to tech competitions and social responsibility projects, Ooredoo is dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators.
The Ooredoo Incubation Program is an initiative designed to support startups and entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas. Ooredoo, a telecommunications company operating in various countries, provides this program to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
What Does the Ooredoo Incubation Program Offer?
The objectives of the Ooredoo Incubation Program align with the Qatar National Vision 2030. As an accelerator, it fast-tracks the growth of promising startups and supports the diversification of Qatar’s economy by fostering varied business ventures.
Collaboration between startups and established businesses is facilitated, significantly strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Qatar.
Access to funding is streamlined for participating startups, who can showcase their ideas in pitch competitions organized by the program. The lean startup methodology is a guiding principle within the initiative.
The Ooredoo Incubation Program typically offers a range of resources and support, including:
- Mentorship and Guidance: Participants receive guidance from experienced mentors and industry experts to help refine their business models and strategies.
- Workshops and Training: The program often includes workshops and training sessions to equip entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to grow their businesses.
- Networking Opportunities: Participants have the chance to connect with other entrepreneurs, investors, and potential business partners.
- Access to Resources: Startups may gain access to office space, technology, and other resources necessary for developing their products or services.
- Financial Support: Some incubation programs offer seed funding or help startups connect with investors to secure financial backing.
- Market Exposure: Ooredoo’s platform can provide startups with visibility and access to new markets.
The specific offerings and structure of the Ooredoo Incubation Program can vary by region, as Ooredoo operates in multiple countries, each with its local adaptations of the program. The goal is to help startups overcome challenges and accelerate their growth, contributing to the broader ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ooredoo’s Global Impact on ICT Start-Ups and Community Development
The Ooredoo Incubation Program, particularly known as “Digital and Beyond,” is a collaborative initiative between Ooredoo, a major telecom company, and the Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC).
This program aims to foster digital entrepreneurship in Qatar by supporting the creation of technology-focused startups. It provides a comprehensive ecosystem for nurturing innovative business ideas, particularly in sectors like customer experience, healthcare, education, and smart living.
Tunisia: Nurturing ICT Start-Ups
Ooredoo’s Start-Up Factory
In Tunisia, Ooredoo’s Start-Up Factory serves as a comprehensive incubator and support program for young developers aiming to create ICT-related start-ups. This end-to-end initiative provides the necessary resources, mentorship, and funding to help these young entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses.
ACT Ooredoo Tunisia
ACT with Ooredoo is a contest designed to select the best non-profit project through internet user votes. This platform allows local projects in Tunisia to gain visibility and collect likes to win prizes.
The initiative transforms the often superficial act of “liking” on social media into meaningful support that drives community change.
Kuwait: Volunteering and Community Engagement
Ooredoo Kuwait Volunteering Programme
Ooredoo Kuwait’s volunteering program attracts hundreds of young people, providing them with training before matching them with volunteering opportunities across Kuwait.
Recognized by the Kuwait Ministry of State for Youth Affairs, this award-winning program includes diverse projects, such as managing the distribution of 17,000 iftar meals during Ramadan, both at distribution centers and an iftar tent outside the Ooredoo head office.
Algeria: Supporting Start-Ups and Developers
iStart Initiative
Ooredoo Algeria’s iStart initiative has supported 20 start-ups and enabled the Training Institute to provide training to 6,000 students across 15 universities and business schools. The program includes Algeria’s first mobile app store, “The GeekFtour” developer summit, and various developer training sessions.
Oobarmijoo: Made in Algeria
Oobarmijoo, which means “I develop” in Arabic, supports mobile app development under the “Made in Algeria” label. With more than 5,000 participants, this initiative encourages local talent to create and innovate within the ICT sector.
Indonesia: Fostering Digital Talent
Indosat Ooredoo Wireless Innovation Contest (IWIC)
Indosat runs one of Indonesia’s most prominent tech competitions and hackathons, IWIC. Over the years, this contest has produced more than 2,000 apps, creating a pool of digital talent and nurturing the next generation of “technopreneurs.”
In 2016, IWIC expanded to a global scale, allowing Indonesian young entrepreneurs to compete with international talent. The program has inspired over 3,500 young digital talents, including more than 750 female participants.
Ideabox Initiative
Ideabox, an incubator for early-stage digital companies, has seen two of its graduates valued at over US$1 million. This initiative supports and inspires young Indonesians to create innovative technology and digital applications.
SB ISAT Fund
In partnership with Softbank, Indosat and Ooredoo operate the SB ISAT Fund, which invests in start-ups to help them progress from the growth stage to mature stage development.
Qatar: Encouraging Digital Innovation
Arab Mobile App Challenge
Launched in 2013 by Ooredoo and the Applied Innovation Institute, the Arab Mobile App Challenge encourages young people across the region to develop innovative apps. In 2014, the initiative welcomed nearly 700 regional teams from 14 Arab countries.
The finals, held during the Mobile World Congress 2015, awarded the global prize to a Tunisian team for their educational gaming app designed to teach children about environmental responsibilities.
Partnership with Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC)
To support young entrepreneurs in Qatar with digital business ideas, Ooredoo has partnered with QBIC. This collaboration provides resources and mentorship to help participants grow and develop their businesses.
Ooredoo Maldives: Enhancing Education
Ooredoo Smart Campus
Ooredoo Maldives has donated the ‘Ooredoo Smart Campus,’ a cloud-based education solution powered by Microsoft in Education, to Maldives Polytechnic. This platform offers an end-to-end solution for distance education, enabling the institution to provide free technical and vocational education to young people.
Empowering the Future of Innovation
Ooredoo’s commitment to powering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs extends across its global footprint. By driving value creation and encouraging entrepreneurial youths, Ooredoo plays a crucial role in the growth and development of start-ups worldwide.
Social Responsibility and Community Engagement
Ooredoo’s social responsibility efforts are guided by a vision to use mobile technology as an enabler for social and economic progress. By addressing issues such as high unemployment and lack of education opportunities, Ooredoo supports young people in their pursuit of learning and development.
Palestine: Learn English Services
Ooredoo’s Wataniya Mobile in Palestine has launched “Learn English” services for mobiles, enabling young people to develop key language skills. This initiative is part of Ooredoo’s broader effort to provide mobile education and support youth development.
Myanmar: Beyond Access Programme
In Myanmar, Ooredoo has transformed public libraries into modern community hubs through the Beyond Access program. These libraries provide access to information and technology, with librarians receiving critical training to help educate communities on the benefits of connectivity.
Tunisia: Make Me Succeed Platform
The Najjahni (“Make Me Succeed”) platform in Tunisia, launched in collaboration with Silatech, supports youth education, employability, and financial inclusion. This initiative addresses the high unemployment rate among young people in Tunisia by providing essential services and resources.
A Personal Vision for Human Growth
Ooredoo understands that young people are the future customers and the next generation of great minds who will drive societal change. In 2014, Ooredoo conducted the “New Horizons” study, exploring the digital attitudes and aspirations of young people across the MENA region and Indonesia.
This landmark study highlighted the optimism, idealism, and commitment of the next generation, reinforcing Ooredoo’s responsibility to help young people achieve their life goals.
Qatar has been making significant strides in fostering entrepreneurship through this program, which is a critical initiative to boost startup culture in the country. As an incubator, it provides vital resources and support for emerging businesses. Qbic plays a complementary role alongside Ooredoo in nurturing startups.
Ooredoo’s commitment to digital transformation is evident through its comprehensive incubation efforts, emphasizing innovation as a cornerstone for business development. Cutting-edge technology is leveraged to empower new ventures, with business development being a key focus to help startups scale effectively.
Looking Ahead
Ooredoo’s incubation programs and social responsibility initiatives demonstrate its dedication to empowering young entrepreneurs and supporting community development.
By fostering innovation and providing essential resources, Ooredoo is paving the way for a brighter future for the next generation of innovators.
Through its mentorship initiatives, the program offers invaluable guidance to entrepreneurs. Financing opportunities are made accessible to startups, encouraging smart living solutions to enhance urban life in Qatar.
Healthcare innovations, education technology, and sports tech startups find a supportive environment within the program, benefiting from extensive resources. Enhancing customer experience is also a priority, supporting the diversification of Qatar’s economy by fostering varied business ventures.
