Qatar Museums and QDB Sign Agreement to Develop an Incubation Centre at M7 to Support Creative Entrepreneurs

DOHA, 8 September, 2020 — Qatar Museums and Qatar Development Bank (QDB) have signed a cooperation agreement to establish an incubation centre at M7, the new design, innovation, and entrepreneurship hub located in Msheireb Downtown Doha – the historic heart of the capital city.

The agreement, signed by Ahmad Musa Al-Namla, CEO of Qatar Museums, and Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, CEO of QDB, in a ceremony at M7, lays the foundation for the two entities to support local entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the fashion, design and technology industries and nurture a thriving startup ecosystem.

M7 incubation centre will ensure that entrepreneurs are provided with professional guidance and support through all phases of startup development as well as coaching to hone the technical and non-technical skills needed to accelerate the growth and value of a business.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, QM CEO said, “In joining hands with Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Museums is able to further its aim to support aspiring fashion and design entrepreneurs to realise their business ambitions. Through expert training and mentorship, entrepreneurs will be able to turn their creative passions and endeavours into tangible and marketable business ideas. We are excited to partner with QDB on the M7 incubation centre, an essential platform for creatives to collaborate and exchange ideas that bring their vision to life and contribute to Qatar’s diverse, thriving cultural landscape.”

Al-Khalifa, said: “The Scale 7 aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the fashion and design industries in Qatar. QDB's partnership with Qatar Museums is an important part of our vision to build a strong national network to achieve common goals that contribute towards the diversification of the national economy and are in line with the bank's strategy and responsibilities.”

The agreement outlines QDB’s mentorship and training, including seminars and workshops for technical business learning and knowledge; mentoring tailored to an entrepreneur's business; networking and support within the local entrepreneurial community; and connecting incubates with potential investors, customers or partners. Entrepreneurs will also have access to a 10-week startup programme and guidance from high-profile mentors and successful entrepreneurs.

Such mentorship will also include a speaker series, where fashion and design startups will gain access to joint events and fashion shows, facilities and marketing campaigns.

About Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums connects the museums, cultural institutions and heritage sites in Qatar and creates the conditions for them to thrive and flourish. It centralizes resources and provides a comprehensive organization for the development of museums and cultural projects, with a long-term ambition of creating a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure for Qatar. Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM is consolidating Qatar’s efforts to become a vibrant centre for the arts, culture and education, in the Middle East and beyond.

Since its foundation in 2005, QM has overseen the development of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Fire Station: Artists in Residence, The National Museum of Qatar and the Al Zubarah World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, among other projects. Future projects include the launch of the highly anticipated 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and the Qatar Children’s Museum.

QM is committed to instigating Qatar’s future generation of arts, heritage and museum professionals. At its core is a commitment to nurturing artistic talent, creating opportunities and developing the skills to service Qatar’s emerging art economy. By means of a multi-faceted programme and public art initiatives, QM seeks to push the boundaries of the traditional museum model, and create cultural experiences that spill out onto the streets and seek to involve a wide audience. Through a strong emphasis on originating art and culture from within and fostering a spirit of national participation, QM is helping Qatar find its own distinctive voice in today’s global cultural debates.

About M7

Established by Qatar Museums under the direction of its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, M7 is a new hub for start-ups in Qatar’s growing fashion and design industry, as well as a public showplace for innovation and entrepreneurship.

M7 serves to:

• train aspiring entrepreneurs in the fields of fashion and design and advance their careers

• spark creativity in people of all ages and backgrounds by hosting exhibitions, performances, films, educational programs, and public discussions

• help connect Qatar’s innovators with influential creative people from around the world.

The new five-story, 29,000-square-meter facility is located in the heart of Msheireb Downtown Doha, the mixed-use development that is reviving the city’s historic core as a sustainable live-work neighborhood. Although the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the full inauguration of M7, a biweekly series of coaching sessions by leaders in creative fields have been taking place online to guide and encourage aspiring designers.