Service Description

Istithmar (SME Equity) Provides capital to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) actively owned or managed by Qataris across industries. The aim of the program is to 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, and generate value-neutral returns that can be re-invested in subsequent programs.

The program’s strategy includes investment in projects in Qatar with QR 365 million, in different sectors with a focus on supporting viable businesses with preference for strategic sectors (except construction and contracting and trade). The program’s target allocation is 20% in innovative small enterprises and 80% in growing medium enterprises (all Qatari-owned and with active involvement of Qataris in management). The investment size for each enterprise is QR 1.5 – 7 million and QR 3.5 – 18 millions​ for innovative small enterprises and growing medium enterprises respectively, however, exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The program term is 8-10 years (5 years for deployment and 3-5 years holding period), and the shareholding is less than 50% of stake. It’s possible for entrepreneurs who own the business to buy it back with predetermined conditions.

Online Instructions

• Choose Products and Services list found on QDB’s homepage, and then choose Isthithmar (SME Equity) from the Financial Products lists.
• To apply for the program, please choose "Submit Here" on the service information page.
  

      Enter the required data and attach the following documents:

• QID of the owner or partner
• Business Model - Feasibility Study
• CV
• Choose Istithmar (SME Equity) from the list of "Services you are interested in”
• Enter the verification word
• Agree on the terms and conditions
• Submit the application

Additional Information

​Innovative Small Enterprises investment criteria:

• The company must be Qatari-owned and has active Qatari involvement in management.
• The company’s model must be scalable, and it must have growth and expansion plan, with potential of value-added generation and potential of building a sustainable competitive advantage.
• The total assets of the company should be less than QR 50 million, annual turnover less than QR 100 million, and has less than 250 employees.
• The company’s term of operational activities should be less than 3 years.

Growing Medium Enterprises investment criteria:

• The company must be Qatari-owned and has active Qatari involvement in management.
• There should be a successful management track record.
• The company’s model must be scalable, and it must have growth and expansion plan, with potential of value-added generation and potential of building a sustainable competitive advantage.
• The total assets of the company should be less than QR 50 million, annual turnover less than QR 100 million, and has less than 250 employees.
• There should be at least 3 years of financial statements
• QDB also invests in venture capital funds internationally provided that the investments are showing a good return potential and are contributing to the development of the Qatar innovation ecosystem.
• For more details, you can check the service information page on QDB’s website.