Qatar raises funding limit for startups expanding in the country to $5.5 million

Qatar has raised the ceiling on its Startup Qatar Investment Program, which is designed to draw technology companies into the country. Early-stage teams setting up in Qatar can now seek as much as $1.1 million, while established global startups expanding there can seek up to $5.5 million. That increases the previous limits of $500,000 and $5 million, and the money is released in stages as companies meet agreed milestones rather than all at once. The offer also includes help with licensing, visas, workspace, housing and access to customers, making it a relocation-and-growth package rather than a simple funding round. Qatar is competing not just to back startups, but to bring their operations, talent and product development into its economy.