Every Thursday, ILQ features a different Qatari startup in our ‘Startup of the Week’ segment. Qatar has some of the most creative, unique, and impactful startups in the region, and we cover them all across a variety of industries in Doha—from fashion and beauty, to food and dining, health, education, technology, and more!
This week, we're shining the spotlight for Medad—a registered trademark in Qatar specialising in creating product design, mainly stationery. The name "Medad" is the ancient Arabic word for “Ink” which gives the brand an identity of being original and modern at the same time.
They sell stationeries, planners, calendars, and even cute money envelopes where Eidiyas (money for kids) are being kept during Eid!
The ILQ team was lucky to have a word with founder and CEO Laila Al Qaedi and she said that Arabic calligraphy is a major element in many of her works as well as Qatar in general, thus her product's often nationalistic subject matters.
Laila shared that stationery tools played a big role in fulfilling her dream of transferring the beauty of the authentic Arab art to the people around her.
"Knowing that I get really attracted by man art & stationery shops in Qatar, especially the ones which consider simplicity as their aesthetic character, I started to work on my own brand by producing products that represent my dream of combining a minimalistic design with Arabic calligraphy."
Medad has been around since December 2017 and during the 15 months that the startup business has been operating, Laila was quick to discern the differentiation of Medad compared to other stationery businesses in Qatar.
"What separates us from others is the combination of 'minimal designs' that we infuse with 'handwritten' Arabic calligraphy in every product that we sell. Also, collaborating with iconic places in Qatar in a short span of time is a huge value that effortlessly distinguishes MEDAD from its competitors."
Laila added that she's been receiving huge positive feedback from customers which motivates her further to produce more creative projects.
A Desert Rose notebook, for example, costs QR85 per piece. It can be purchased exlusively from the newly-opened National Museum of Qatar.
When asked about her advice for people who are also interested to open up startup businesses of their own in the near future, Laila has this to say:
"Don't wait till everything is perfect, start with what you have now and work on making it perfect as you grow!"
Moreover, Medad is also engaging economically with printing press companies in Qatar as well as government entities such as the Hamad International Airport and the National Museum where Laila is currently showcasing and selling her stationery products.
She is proud to share to Qatar and the rest of the world the three projects that Medad has successfully worked on including Medad’s Agenda, Moonlight Ramadan Collection, and the much-anticipated Desert Rose Collection.
To know more about Medad, follow their Instagram page HERE.
What are some of your favourite startups around Doha? Comment below! And also, don’t forget to give us a like and share -- it keeps us going!
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
You have successfully registered your account!
Please confirm your e-mail address by clicking on the URL sent to you.The e-mail usually arrives in 5-10 minutes.
How ajeeb was that!? Thanks for contributing to our community! Your post will appear after we take a quick look!
