Case Study
Beyond the classroom:
Launching Qatar's next generation of entrepreneurs
5 min read
•
July 3, 2025
TL:DR
Launched in 2024, the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST)’s Entrepreneurship Hub – known as UHUB – is Qatar’s new flagship incubator.
- Challenge • Many students in Qatar have aspirations to build startup companies, but do not participate in entrepreneurship activities during their university education.
- The solution • A comprehensive startup launchpad, designed with DMZ, is helping university students and faculty to turn their ideas into viable ventures.
- DMZ’s role • Delivering ecosystem training, developing incubation strategy, and co-designing entrepreneurship programming.
- Impact • Launching major new programs, engaging 100+ students, providing key startup grants, and achieving international credibility.
- Legacy • UHUB is now a central driver of Qatar’s startup ecosystem and innovation culture.
The challenge
In 2023, DMZ partnered with the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) to create an innovation hub on campus – mentoring students, researchers, and early-stage founders to build world-class startups from the ground up.
To align with Qatar’s growing investment in education and entrepreneurship, universities are motivated to dedicate resources and infrastructure to support student-led startups.
- 42% of university students in Qatar intend to become entrepreneurs within five years of graduation. However, 63.6% of students have not taken any entrepreneurship courses, and access to startup support is limited on campuses (GUESSS, 2023).
- Student ventures remain disconnected from commercialization pathways, and academic research is rarely translated into industry-ready solutions.
Our solution
With support from DMZ, UHUB was launched in early 2024. Designed to serve both students and faculty, UHUB functions as a national innovation engine – with startup incubation, IP commercialization, and ecosystem development built into its core programming.
With a flexible, on-demand model, UHUB allows entrepreneurs to access programming on their terms – featuring expert mentorship, sector-specific workshops, and competitive grant opportunities.
Our approach
- Train-the-Trainer • DMZ provided senior administrators and faculty members with the best tools for building a startup ecosystem – equipping them to launch and scale major programs across the university.
- Essential Startup Support • DMZ supported the growth of student and faculty startups by offering mentorship, pitch training, investor preparation, and connections to regional and international networks.
- Pitch Competitions • UHUB awarded QAR 120,000 through the Business Gateway Competition and co-ran the DMZ-UDST Basecamp summer accelerator, offering a chance to win $50,000 in funding.
- Global Engagement • In 2025, UHUB participated in Web Summit, hosting workshops and connecting Qatari startups to global investors and partners.
- Commercialization and IP • UHUB actively supports the commercialization of capstone projects, monetization of applied research, and protection of student and faculty IP.
Impact Stats
100+
students and faculty engaged
3+
flagship entrepreneurship programs launched
QAR 120,000
grants awarded through pitch competitons
10+
startups gained access to DMZ-UDST Basecamp
Legacy and long-term growth:
UHUB as a national model
UHUB now plays a central role in Qatar’s startup landscape. Its programming supports a growing pipeline of innovators, while embedding entrepreneurship within UDST’s academic culture.
Backed by strong leadership and powered by expert mentors, UHUB continues to expand its impact through new funding opportunities, research commercialization, and international engagement. Future goals include expanded startup funding, cross-border research exchanges, and deeper integration with Qatar’s economic diversification plans.
DMZ: Your partner for building world-class entrepreneurship hubs
With experience across 15+ countries, DMZ works with academic institutions, governments, investors and mentors to deliver custom incubation programs.
- Expertise in campus entrepreneurship strategy
- End-to-end design, training, and implementation
- Proven results in both emerging and mature markets
- Global network of mentors, founders, and funders
