The Bedaya Center for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (Bedaya), Qatar Development Bank’s joint initiative with Silatech, celebrated the finals of Qatari entrepreneurs who had completed a year’s training on the Activate program, an unprecedented initiative in Qatar to help emerging businesses overcome the challenges of the Qatari market.

Sponsored by U.S. State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the program offered 12 aspiring Qatari entrepreneurs the chance to meet, communicate, and acquire practical experience from 12 corporate mentors who they chose based on the relevance of the sector, industry, mission, vision, and the services they offer.

Over the course of one year, the Activate program hosted the mentors and their mentees so they could discuss current and upcoming challenges while pinpointing areas requiring further support. Additionally, the entrepreneurs presented their respective mentors with an overview of their prospective business ideas and strategies for growth, with charts showing analysis of their business and the key driving forces governing them.

In turn, the business mentors gave the entrepreneurs first-hand information, tips and advice on how to progress their start-ups from a growing idea to a solid corporate entity with the potential to establish strong fundamentals in the related industry.

“At Bedaya, we have been keen to roll out programs and initiatives that add tangible value to the entrepreneurial spectrum in Qatar in line with the Center’s mission of accelerating the growth of the national private sector to pave the way for more economic diversity. These efforts bear fruit when we link up with institutions and individuals steering the nation’s economy and sharing the same national and commercial aspirations as us,” said Raed Al Emadi, Vice-Chairman of Bedaya Center.

“Bedaya offers entrepreneurship and career development services in Qatar, and allows future generations to explore the career tracks they would like to take in life by choosing either career development or launching their own businesses. A joint initiative by Qatar Development Bank and Silatech, Bedaya allows access to a wide range of youth-related services, training programs and activities which help them achieve their career aspirations and develop their skills, or expand their entrepreneurial talents and ambitions by launching their own businesses,” added Al Emadi.

“Bedaya Center constantly seeks to develop the skills of young entrepreneurs and support them to succeed in realising their business ideas or move forward in the career choices that best suit their personalities. The Center’s value is particularly manifested through the help it offers Qatari youth to reach their full potential, succeed in their choices and be proud to help realize the national vision of their country,” concluded Al Emadi.

For his part, Ian McCarry, Deputy Chief of the Diplomatic Mission at the United States Embassy in Qatar, said: “The United States has always been a strong, committed partner to Qatar and its entrepreneurs to help the country achieve its vision for 2030. It is my pleasure today to honor 12 young entrepreneurs who have completed Bedaya’s Activate program, which will motivate them to succeed and advance their businesses to reach their future goals.”

Reem Al Sowaidi, Entrepreneurs Advisor at Bedaya, said: “Activate program, sponsored by US- MEPI, is a unique initiative that aims to develop and directly connect with young people of the Middle East and North Africa, while MEPI always seeks to establish vibrant partnerships to enhance social participation, plurality, and prosperity.”

“We are very glad today to celebrate the Qatari entrepreneurs’ graduation having just completed a full year of training at Bedaya’s Activate program, the first of its kind in Qatar to help emerging businesses address the challenges of the Qatari market. Sponsored by U.S. State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the program offered 12 Qatari aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to have hands-on, practical experience with advice from 12 corporate mentors selected for their matching sector experience to add value to the mission, vision, track record and the services they offer,” added Al Sowaidi.

She also pointed out that Bedaya Center offers the optimum entrepreneurship and career development services in Qatar by allowing young generations to examine their options and choose either the career tracks they want to take up or the launch of their own businesses. Bedaya offers access to comprehensive youth services, training programs and activities which help young people achieve their career aspirations and develop their skills, or develop their entrepreneurial talents and ambitions by starting their own enterprises.

Concluding her speech at the ceremony, Al Sowaidi thanked Qatar Development Bank for its boundless support for entrepreneurs through programs and initiatives that add palpable value to the entrepreneurial spectrum in Qatar in line with Bedaya’s mission to fast track enterprise and achieve economic diversification. Al Sowaidi also thanked US- MEPI which is a unique initiative that aims to develop and directly interact with young people in the Middle East and North Africa, as it seeks to establish vibrant partnerships that enhance social participation, plurality, and prosperity.

Yasmeen Hassan, Entrepreneurship Development Manager at Bedaya Center, showcased the success stories of 12 entrepreneurs in a documentary video featuring the Activate program businesses.

Entrepreneurs presented their experiences and motivations for participating in the Activate program, as well as the results they had achieved.

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