Invest Qatar, the investment promotion agency of Qatar, and Startup Portugal, the Portuguese association for the promotion of entrepreneurship, recently announced that they are partnering to foster collaboration and create new opportunities within the startup ecosystems of both countries.
“This collaboration reflects our shared vision of creating a dynamic startup environment that drives investment and business growth. By facilitating opportunities for Portuguese startups to establish in Qatar and fostering new prospects for cooperation, we are unlocking potential that will bring mutual benefits,” stated Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al-Thani, CEO of Invest Qatar.
Partnership to ease international expansion
Signed during Web Summit Qatar 2025, the partnership aims to enhance cross-border opportunities, knowledge exchange and business growth for startups in Qatar and Portugal. Under the agreement, both organizations will facilitate mutual referrals of startup companies interested in expanding into each other’s markets, offering tailored support for startups establishing a presence in the respective markets.
The collaboration also seeks to streamline the process for startups seeking international expansion, enabling them to pursue an efficient business journey within their respective regions. Invest Qatar and Startup Portugal will join efforts to provide comprehensive guidance on business setup, regulatory frameworks and operational logistics, empowering startups to scale globally.
“This partnership with Invest Qatar marks a significant step towards strengthening the ties between our entrepreneurial ecosystems. By fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and market access, we are creating new opportunities for Portuguese and Qatari startups to scale and thrive internationally,” commented Antonio Dias Martins, executive director of Startup Portugal.
Qatar seeks 2.4 percent GDP boost from startups
Over the years, Portugal has made significant investments in Qatar across key sectors like renewable energy, food and beverages and real estate, contributing to economic growth, sustainability and stronger bilateral ties. The partnership between Invest Qatar and Startup Portugal further reinforces these ties by fostering business development, innovation and new opportunities for entrepreneurs in both countries.
Portugal is home to approximately 5.000 startups, representing more than 26,000 jobs. Similarly, Qatar is investing in a fully-fledged startup support network aimed at boosting the GDP by 2.4 percent by 2033, creating nearly 40,000 new jobs, diversifying the economy and increasing FDI through global venture investments.
Startup Qatar, an initiative by Invest Qatar, recently awarded $18 million in funding to 15 startups from across the world, including Italy, Oman, Singapore, the U.K., the U.S. and Turkey. Through the Startup Qatar Investment Program, these startups benefit from funding, mentorship and market access, thriving in Qatar’s innovation-driven ecosystem.
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Qatar to become key destination for global entrepreneurs
Qatar’s partnership with Startup Portugal falls in line with the country’s national vision for economic diversification and development. Last year, Qatar marked a major milestone in its efforts to become a global hub for investors, startups and entrepreneurs, launching the Fund of Funds (FoF) program.
The program aims to invest $1 billion in international and regional venture capital funds with a sharp focus on technology and healthcare sectors. It also seeks to develop an economic system that integrates with the comprehensive goals to diversify the economy outlined in the Qatar National Vision 2030.
In an interview with QNA, Abdulla Mohammed Al Ansari, chairperson of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), stated that FoF will constantly engage with venture capital funds to provide alternatives for investors and startups to develop a dynamic environment for bold investments in the State of Qatar, with the objective of attracting entrepreneurs both domestically and internationally.
Al Ansari added that the program’s support is evident in providing the capital to startups and drawing the mechanism that helps develop a labor climate, emphasizing that the existence of such an initiative will maximize the benefits from massive talents available before startups.
Al Ansari also noted that the early rise of major international firms was by virtue of capital venture funds, stressing the importance of Qatar’s role in supporting startups and partners.
