The winners of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC)’s Challenge 22 innovation award were announced todayduring an awards ceremony held at Qatar National Convention Center.

Following a successful roadshow introducing the concept to the GCC, more than 300 applicants from all over the region submitted their ideas for consideration. Eighteen finalists presented their ideas to a jury before the winners were eventually chosen.

Speaking at the event, Hassan Al-Thawadi, SC Secretary General, said: “We gather here tonight not only to celebrate the winners and participants of Challenge 22, but also to recognise the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as a regional event that brings us together and promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. I would like to congratulate the winners tonight as well as all the teams that participated in this challenge as they have all presented innovative ideas that highlight the immense talent across the GCC”.

Challenge 22 Phase 1 winnersconsisted of 6 of the following projects and winning teams awarded at Qatar National Convention Center; “Tamm – A platform for connecting visitors with volunteer residents” by Dr. Maher Hakim, Mrs. Fatima Yousuf Fakhro, Mrs. Aysha Fakhroo and Mr. Ammar Abouelghar. “Interactive 3D fan experience using Hologens” Mr. Ali ElDous, Mr. Khalid Mohamed, Mr. Taofik Al Nass and Mr. Salman Badnava. “Tactile palm communicator” by Mr. Thieab Ibrahim Aldossary and Mr. Rashid Battal Al-Dosari. “FitPet – A health promotion app for Qatar” by Dr. Ingmar Weber, Dr. Yelena Mejova, Mr. Khalifa Al-Haroon and Mr. Hamad Al-Amari. “Monitoring safe excersise” by Dr. Ahsan Khandoker and Dr. Hani Saleh. “Scalable Syntehsis of expanded polystyrene (EPS)” By Dr. Khaled Saoud.

Challenge 22 has awarded the winners with USD 20,000 per winner, as well as the opportunity to work with mentors in their field of interest, develop their idea into a prototype and ultimately the chance to showcase their ideas on a global platform.

Hamad Al Kuwari, Managing Director of Qatar Science and Technology Park, said: “Tonight we recognized emerging talents that we hope will inspire the next generation of innovators from the Middle East. Throughout the 2^nd phase of the award QSTP will be providing guidance, house mentoring sessions and workshops, in addition to offering year-long accelerator programs for the winning ideas. We look forward to working with the winners in phase 2 of the project that will bring their innovative ideas to life when we welcome the world to Qatar in 2022.”

Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, Chairman of Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) added, "QBIC is delighted to be a Program Partner with the Supreme Committee’s Challenge 22 innovation award and to have contributed an important part of the coaching during the workshops. I congratulate the winners, the organisers and all contestants on their fantastic work, and look forward to seeing some of the winners turn their business dreams into reality at QBIC during phase two.”

Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, ictQatar, said: “Challenge 22 presents a unique opportunity where the winners will accomplish in months what usually takes years to achieve. The Digital Incubation Center of ictQATAR is honored to be part of phase 2 of this challenge where we will incubate some of the winners, provide them with mentorship and support them in developing their ideas."

Initiated by the SC, Silatech and Qatar National Research Fund, Challenge 22 is a unique opportunity to think big and come up with inventive solutions to the challenges associated with hosting a major sporting event. Calling on applicants within the GCC, Challenge 22 aims to find solution based proposals related to three key themes that address challenges faced by Qatar and the world, when hosting major sports events: Sustainability, Event Experience, and Sports and Health.

Follow us on our social media channels: @ILQlive @ILQlive @ILoveQtr ILoveQatar

QNE

Start a discussion