Ibtechar celebrates a decade of leading practical innovation

Ibtechar celebrated yesterday its 10th anniversary as a Qatari startup specialised in innovation and turn-key solutions.

During the celebration, a new logo of Ibtechar was revealed, representing the company’s vision and strategic plans for the future. Over a decade, the company made remarkable achievements which translated into growing operations.

Many government organisations and private-sector businesses hire Ibtechar to benefit from its expertise in meeting the demand for practical innovation products and services in the Qatari market. The hybrid celebration ceremony was held under the title ‘A Decade of Practical Innovation’. The event was attended by representatives of government and other organisations concerned with innovation as one pillar of the knowledge-based society sought by Qatar National Vision 2030.

As part of the event, there was a panel discussion on ‘Innovation and Knowledge Based Economic Development’. Guest speakers included CEO of Delta Corporation, Eng. Wesam Swelem; Executive Director of Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), Yousef Al Salehi; Manager of Algal Technologies Program at Qatar University, Dr. Hareb Aljabr and Founder and Chairman of Ibtechar, Khalid Aboujassoum.

The list of topics discussed during the session included ‘Innovation Pillars’, ‘Challenges to Economic Diversification’, and ‘Vision and Commitment Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy’. In 2011, Ibtechar was established as the first incubated startup in Qatar, serving as a platform to lay the foundation for transfer, localization, and development of a culture of innovation and technology in Qatar, which has been thriving across all sectors.

Khalid Aboujassoum said, “One year after the creation of Ibtechar, I ranked first in the Stars of Science awards. This motivated me to provide services that help to promote the forward-thinking techniques I gained from the TV show among as many people as possible. I felt the pressing need to offer integrated solutions and programs for different sectors, particularly with the scarcity of Qatari business and enterprises that provide such services and expertise in the local market.”

He said two year later, accumulated knowledge demonstrated the importance of achieving integration in the locally available services. “In 2013, the company began to provide tailored solutions and services to meet the specific needs of clients,” said Aboujassoum.

Nayef Al Ibrahim, said, “In 2015, we launched the ‘Sanea Initiative’, an innovative educational program that promotes a culture of making and innovation among the public. Under the program, there emerged the ‘Sanea Bus’, the first mobile digital fabrication laboratory in Qatar and the whole region.”

Over the past few years, Ibtechar reaped the benefits of strategic planning and considerable knowledge of the mechanisms for developing innovative products. In 2019, the company was selected by the World Economic Forum among the top 100 startups in the Mena region.

It also appeared on QDB’s SME Excellence List 2018. The milestones in the history of Ibtechar include being assigned by QDB to undertake the development and operation of the country’s first digital fabrication laboratory (Fab Lab) to serve startups and small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) in various sectors.

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