The Business Year and Msheireb Properties launch AI for Good Qatar Challenge at investment and innovation conference

Business

The Business Year and Msheireb Properties launch AI for Good Qatar Challenge at investment and innovation conference

The Business Year (TBY), in partnership with Msheireb Properties, has announced the launch of the AI for Good Qatar Challenge, a startup competition aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative will be held during the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference: Driving GCC Entrepreneurial Growth, scheduled for November 3, 2025, at Barahat Msheireb in Doha.

The challenge will bring together some of the GCC’s most promising pre-seed and seed-stage startups leveraging artificial intelligence to address pressing global challenges. By spotlighting AI-driven solutions with real-world impact, the initiative highlights Qatar’s growing role as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital economy leadership.

Dr. Hafiz Ali Abdulla, Senior Director of Corporate Communication at Msheireb Properties, said: “Msheireb Downtown Doha has long been committed to fostering innovation and providing a platform where ideas transform into impactful solutions. The AI for Good Qatar Challenge aligns perfectly with our vision of inspiring collaboration and supporting entrepreneurs who are building a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region.”

Vanessa Rameix, Regional Director at The Business Year, added: “This competition connects Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with global innovation networks. It will showcase the region’s most promising AI solutions while providing startups with access to mentorship, capital, and partnerships to help scale their impact across the GCC and beyond.”

Startups participating in the challenge will pitch live in front of a panel of expert judges. Evaluation will focus on team and founder quality, product and technology, business model, impact, and communication. The format includes three-minute pitches from shortlisted startups, with winners announced during the conference’s closing session.

While the Qatar challenge does not feature a cash prize, participating startups will benefit from mentorship opportunities, exposure to international investors, integration into the UN innovation ecosystem, and media visibility through partner platforms.

The event is supported by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and leading international venture capital firms such as Rasmal Ventures, Builders VC, The Alchemist, and Plug and Play. This support ensures startups gain access to a global network of investors, accelerators, and mentors.

By hosting the AI for Good Qatar Challenge as part of the Qatar Investment and Innovation Conference, TBY and Msheireb Properties reaffirm Qatar’s role as a regional hub for AI, innovation, and sustainable entrepreneurship.