At Web Summit Qatar 2025, the focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and education was highlighted by Sylia Khecheni, Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST). As a university-based incubator, UDST is redefining how academia nurtures entrepreneurial talent, creating direct pathways for students to bring their ideas to life, connect with investors, and launch successful startups.
Why UDST is at Web Summit Qatar
“The Web Summit is the event for innovation and entrepreneurship, and being here was a must for us,” Khecheni explained. UDST’s presence at the summit reflects its commitment to offering students opportunities to engage with industry leaders, showcase their startups, and attract investment.
“We are here to connect our students with investors, expose them to global entrepreneurship trends, and provide them with a platform to showcase their brilliant ideas.”
A Unique University Model: Bridging Vocational Training and Innovation
Unlike traditional universities, UDST takes a hands-on approach to entrepreneurship. Its three main strategic goals include:
- Monetizing research to transform academic discoveries into market-ready innovations.
- Capitalizing on intellectual property (IP) to create business opportunities from university-led innovations.
- Upscaling students’ capstone projects, turning final-year academic work into fully-fledged startups.
“As the first applied university in Doha, we know that our students already possess the technical skills needed for success. Our role is to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and provide the right tools for execution. We are simply enabling them to turn ideas into businesses.”
Success Stories from UDST’s Incubator
Since its inauguration just a year ago, UDST’s incubator has seen remarkable success:
- Over 10 startups incubated and actively developing solutions.
- An investor has committed to funding one of the incubated startups, marking a major milestone for UDST’s innovation hub.
- More than 1,000 students engaged in entrepreneurship programs, reflecting strong interest and a thriving ecosystem.
- UDST students winning major hackathons and competitions, including recent victories at the QDB Hackathon.
- Two UDST student startups exhibiting at Web Summit Qatar 2025, showcasing their innovations to a global audience.
- Live recognition from major media, with one UDST student being interviewed by Al Jazeera during the summit.
“This could not make me prouder,” Khecheni said. “Not only are we incubating success stories, but we are also fueling Qatar’s ecosystem with the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”
How UDST’s Mission Aligns with Qatar’s Vision 2030
Qatar’s Vision 2030 is focused on transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy, prioritizing innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
“As a university, it is our duty to align with this national vision,” Khecheni emphasized. “We are building the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring that our students have the support, mentorship, and funding they need to make an impact.”
Through entrepreneur-in-residence programs, investor mentorship, and startup incubation, UDST is actively shaping the future of Qatar’s digital economy.
What’s Next for UDST?
As UDST continues to expand its entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, the future looks even brighter:
- Scaling up its incubator to support more startups.
- Attracting additional investors to fund student-led ventures.
- Expanding international partnerships to help startups scale beyond Qatar.
- Hosting more hackathons, competitions, and innovation challenges.
“This is just the beginning,” Khecheni said. “More is yet to come, and we are committed to taking our students to the next level.”
Final Thoughts: The Future of Education and Innovation in Qatar
UDST’s entrepreneurial model is setting a new standard for universities worldwide, proving that education must go beyond the classroom.
“By connecting education with real-world entrepreneurship, we are not just teaching business—we are creating business leaders,” Khecheni concluded. “With the right mentorship, resources, and opportunities, our students are ready to change the world.”
As Web Summit Qatar 2025 continues to showcase the best in global innovation, UDST stands out as a driving force behind the future of entrepreneurship and technology in Qatar.
