Invest Qatar
Invest Qatar, the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, is the government agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment. Launched in July 2019, it also runs the Startup Qatar initiative and the Invest Qatar Gateway licensing platform.
Industry: Investment promotion | Location: Qatar | Founded: 2019
About Invest Qatar
Invest Qatar, formally the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar, is the Qatari government agency responsible for promoting and attracting foreign direct investment into the country. It was launched in July 2019 to support the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the diversification of the economy away from hydrocarbons. At launch, the agency was described as intended to be a single, complete source of investment solutions in the State of Qatar. Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al Thani was named its chief executive, and Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali bin Ahmed al Kuwari chaired its advisory board. The agency presents itself as a gateway that connects investors to an integrated ecosystem of business and licensing platforms, and says it works with investors from initial exploration through set-up and expansion. Its website lists sectors including energy, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, logistics, manufacturing, real estate, technology and tourism, with each sector page covering market size, competition, regulation and potential local partners. It states that it seeks investments that meet high environmental, social and governance standards, and lists partnership, sustainability and excellence among its values. Technology and startups are a visible part of its work. Invest Qatar runs the Startup Qatar initiative and, in 2024, announced the first successful applicants to the Startup Qatar Investment Program. The programme drew nearly 2,000 applications from around the world and selected 11 applicants. Successful applicants can receive seed or growth funding, with up to US$500,000 to establish themselves in Qatar and up to US$5 million to expand operations in the Qatari market. The agency has organised the Qatar Pavilion at Web Summit Lisbon, taking part for a second consecutive year in 2024, where its chief executive spoke on a panel about foreign investment and public-private partnerships in Qatar's diversification. In 2026 the agency hosted its Qatar pavilion at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos for a second straight year. The chief executive said the presence reaffirmed the agency's commitment to global partnerships. Gulf Times reported that he was expected to lead the investment and policy dimension at Web Summit Qatar 2026, held in Doha from 1 to 4 February, and to discuss venture capital opportunities across the GCC. Zawya also reported that the agency held a roadshow for US investors in New York and Boston focused on technology, biotechnology, life sciences and healthcare. Before leading the agency, Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al Thani coordinated economic affairs at the Prime Minister's office and chaired the World Trade Organization's Trade-Related Investment Measures Committee after being elected by consensus in 2017. He holds a degree from Georgetown University.