DOHA, Feb 5 — Qatar has unveiled DEEP Qatar, a new institute designed to connect the innovation ecosystems of Germany and Qatar, serving as a hub for technology transfer, deep-tech innovation and entrepreneurship.

The initiative builds on ESMT Berlin’s presence in Doha, where the business school has offered EMBA and EMPA programs in partnership with the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies since 2018.

DEEP Qatar will operate on three pillars: the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL-Doha), DEEP Academy and DEEP Pioneers. CDL-Doha, the first Creative Destruction Lab site in the GCC and Asia, will run streams in artificial intelligence, health and agriculture & food.

Each stream will support about 20 ventures annually, with more than 150 expected over three years. Funding comes from the Qatar Investment Authority’s Fund of Funds program, aimed at attracting venture capital firms to the country.

DEEP Academy will provide entrepreneurial training for researchers and scientists from Qatar and the wider GCC, while DEEP Pioneers will match promising technologies with experienced entrepreneurs to build globally competitive startups. The Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council is the implementation partner.

The initiative was reinforced during a 2025 visit to Doha by North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister President Hendrik Wüst, and involves institutions including HEC Paris in Qatar, RWTH Aachen and Forschungszentrum Jülich, alongside QIA, QRDI Council and ESMT Berlin.

“Together with ESMT Berlin and partners in Qatar, we are creating a powerful platform for technology transfer that strengthens our innovation ecosystems and drives economic growth,” Wüst said.

Former German vice chancellor Sigmar Gabriel called the partnership “a strong signal of mutual trust, strategic collaboration, and a shared vision for the future.”

QRDI Council secretary general Omar Al-Ansari said the programs would “significantly strengthen Qatar’s role as a regional and global player in deep-tech innovation” and accelerate commercialization of science emerging from local universities.

QRDI Council secretary general Omar Al-Ansari said the programs would “significantly strengthen Qatar’s role as a regional and global player in deep-tech innovation” and accelerate commercialization of science emerging from local universities.