Qatar and Germany have signed an agreement to establish a university-affiliated innovation hub in Doha, aimed at strengthening technology transfer, entrepreneurship and collaboration between the two countries’ innovation ecosystems.
The initiative, known as DEEP Qatar, brings together the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) Berlin through its DEEP Institute for Deep Tech Innovation, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI). The hub is designed to serve as a bridge connecting research, industry and investment communities across Europe and the Gulf.
DEEP Qatar will operate through three main pillars: the Creative Destruction Lab in Doha, the DEEP Academy and DEEP Pioneers. The Creative Destruction Lab will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, health, agriculture and food technology, supporting around 20 scientific projects annually and more than 150 projects over three years with mentorship from global experts and investors.
Funding support will be provided through QIA’s Fund of Funds Programme, which aims to strengthen Qatar’s startup and venture capital ecosystem while attracting international technology investment. The initiative also seeks to enhance skills development, commercialise research outcomes and accelerate the growth of deep technology startups aligned with Qatar’s national innovation strategy.
