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Investor Readiness Program Streams
There are three streams of the Investor Readiness Program...
QSTP runs workshops and seminars on becoming "investor ready" and raising finance. They are open to any Qatar resident that wishes to learn how to plan and build a start-up technology company.
The seminars run in series lasting five weeks, with one seminar per week. Together they cover the full process of planning a successful start-up, from idea development through to raising capital and steering the company through its early years. Topics include:
- project selection, development & commercial evaluation
- building a management team
- business planning
- pitching to investors
- business development.
The seminars and workshops are free, however places are limited and require registration. Because places are limited, participants are expected to attend all five seminars in a series. Seminars take place on five consecutive Monday evenings.
> See our Events Calendar for details of the next Investor Readiness Program seminar series.
Structured Investor Readiness Support
The Structured Investor Readiness Support stream of the Investor Readiness Program helps an entrepreneur with an advanced business plan to refine and perfect that plan, and use it to raise finance within the next three months.
The program is highly flexible and can fill whatever "gaps" each investment proposal may have. An expert, selected according to the specific needs of the case, is assigned for 30 working days to coach the entrepreneur. The cost of the coaching is covered by QSTP.
Applicants to the Structured Investor Readiness Support stream can be entrepreneurs that intend to start a tech company at QSTP, or are tenants already. They should have a complete first draft of business plan. The coach helps the company develop that plan into a robust and attractive investment proposal, and determine the right amount, form, and sources of finance for it.
The coaching arrangement is structured and formalised. A work plan and timetable are agreed between the entrepreneur, the expert and QSTP at outset. Roles and responsibilities of the parties are defined and committed to. The program includes:
Business planning
The expert works with the entrepreneur to enhance its business plan to an appropriate level for the type of finance being sought. Participants are also encouraged to attend business planning skills training.
Finance options
The entrepreneur is counselled on various finance options appropriate for their business, enabling them to make an informed funding decision and appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Resource options
A robust business plan needs to define human resources and capital requirements, and show how they will be achieved. The expert works with the entrepreneur to define such requirements, consider different options available, and establish a strategy for achieving them.
Presentation skills
Key individuals from the company are provided training in presentation and communication skills, helping them to make the best possible pitch to investors.
Investor introduction and follow-through
When the above steps have been successfully completed, QSTP can arrange meetings for the entrepreneur with appropriate investors to pitch their proposal. QSTP can also provide follow-through assistance to help the entrepreneur negotiate and structure a deal. (This phase of assistance is usually separate from the coaching program).
To apply for the Investor Readiness Program, and for any questions about it, please e-mail programs@qstp.org.qa
Informal Investor Readiness Support
For entrepreneurs that do not need to raise finance soon, but could still benefit from guidance on creating an "investable" proposal, the Informal Investor Readiness Support stream can help. It is open to entrepreneurs that intend to start a tech company at QSTP and small-to-medium tenants of the science park.
Depending on their needs, the applicant will receive coaching either from QSTP's in-house business support team or from an outside expert assigned to them. In either case up to five days of dedicated one-to-one support are available. There is no formal work plan or engagement agreement (unlike in the "structured" stream).
The topics covered are similar to those in the structured stream, described above. In the informal stream a subset of the topics might be chosen, or the level of coaching may be reduced.
The Informal Investor Readiness Support stream is very flexible. At a later date - say when they are 12 months from raising finance - the entrepreneur can apply to QSTP for additional days of expert coaching. In other words the entrepreneur can "migrate" from the informal stream to the structured stream.
Applications and enquiries about the program can be sent toprograms@qstp.org.qa