(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC) will launch the third wave of its 10-week "LeanStartup Programme" for entrepreneurs in Qatar on March 9. Applications are open for candidates until February 22 via www.qbic.qa.
The programme provides entrepreneurs with a real hands-on experience on how to successfully start a company. Running twice a year in spring and autumn, the programme was based on QBIC's flagship "Lean Methodology."
Traditionally, entrepreneurs are required to submit a business plan and feasibility study. QBIC, however, focuses entirely on customer development and producing a prototype. This approach, according to QBIC, "significantly reduces the cost of product development and increases the probability of successfully starting a business."
Over a span of 10 weeks, participants will be provided action-oriented teaching and coaching sessions on how to successfully start their businesses. They will go through unique exercises and local Qatari business cases that QBIC developed for the first time in Qatar.
At the end of the programme, entrepreneurs will have their business ideas validated with customers, developed a prototype that customers need, and finish by pitching their new startup businesses to judges and potential investors.
QBIC's LeanStartup Programme aims to produce another generation of successful entrepreneurs in Qatar. Out of 54 enrolled startups in the previous two programmes, 19 are successfully running their businesses and generating QR2mn in revenues in less than a year.
"Being a part of the LeanStartup Programme was an eye-opening experience to me, it changed my life and the way I think about business; even the way I look at my startup has changed," said QBIC entrepreneur Abdulhameed Alyousef, co-founder of Rinfo startup, which will be officially launched next week.
QBIC entrepreneur Noora Bu-Helaiqa said, "The best part about the programme is that it enables us to turn our ideas into reality without having a business plan, which is extremely motivating because we see tangible results in a matter of weeks."
Another QBIC entrepreneur, Mohamed al-Jefairi, added, "Through the LeanStartup Programme, I was able to significantly increase revenues. Last month alone, we generated more revenues than the whole of last year by actively listening to customers. It sounds simple, but it's not. It was a great learning experience for me."
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.