GRO, an emerging artificial intelligence-powered financial wellness platform, has selected Doha as its global headquarters following a pre-seed investment from GrowthX Capital, a newly launched venture capital fund founded by entrepreneur Hamad Al-Hajri. The announcement coincided with the unveiling of GrowthX Capital’s ambitious QAR 500 million investment strategy, aimed at supporting innovative startups and scale-ups over the next five years.
The announcement was made during an event hosted at Qatar Chamber and attended by prominent figures from Qatar’s business, investment, and diplomatic communities. Among those present were Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) CEO Mansoor Rashid Al-Khater, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the State of Qatar H.E. Andrii Kuzmenko, and Dr. Olga Revina, Founder and Chairperson of the Qatar–Ukraine Business Forum (QUBF).
The investment marks an important milestone for both GRO and Qatar’s growing startup ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s position as a destination for international founders seeking access to regional markets, investment capital, and innovation-driven growth opportunities.
From FinTech Incubator to Regional Expansion
GRO’s connection with Qatar began through its participation in the Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH), an accelerator programme developed by Qatar Development Bank (QDB). The startup successfully completed the programme’s seventh cohort and gained recognition after securing the “Best Pitch” award during the final showcase.
The achievement opened doors to conversations with investors and ecosystem partners, ultimately leading to support from GrowthX Capital and the company’s decision to anchor its operations in Doha.
Founded by Mariia Shevchenko alongside a team of Ukrainian and German entrepreneurs, GRO is focused on leveraging artificial intelligence to simplify personal finance management and improve financial literacy among individuals and families.
Redefining Financial Education Through AI
The company’s platform combines AI-driven insights with financial education tools designed to help users better understand spending behaviour, improve budgeting habits, and make more informed financial decisions.
According to Shevchenko, the vision behind GRO is to make financial knowledge accessible to a broader audience rather than limiting it to those with access to specialised expertise or financial advisers.
As financial products and digital payment systems become increasingly sophisticated, GRO aims to equip users with practical tools that help them navigate their financial lives with greater confidence while developing long-term money management skills.
Strengthening Qatar–Ukraine Innovation Cooperation
GRO’s decision to establish its headquarters in Doha reflects a broader trend of growing collaboration between Qatar and Ukraine in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Recent years have seen increasing engagement between stakeholders from both countries, with organisations such as the Qatar–Ukraine Business Forum actively working to create opportunities for startups, investors, and technology companies. The relationship gained further momentum following high-level diplomatic engagements and growing interest in cross-border innovation partnerships.
Dr. Olga Revina noted that the investment demonstrates the strong potential for collaboration between Ukraine’s entrepreneurial talent and Qatar’s rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. She highlighted the complementary strengths of both countries and the opportunities they create for building globally competitive businesses.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Andrii Kuzmenko, also welcomed the development, describing it as an example of how innovation-driven partnerships can strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for international cooperation.
GrowthX Capital’s Vision for Startup Development
The investment in GRO represents the first publicly announced venture backed by GrowthX Capital since the fund’s launch.
Founded by Hamad Al-Hajri, the entrepreneur behind Qatar’s technology success story Snoonu, GrowthX Capital has been established to support founders building scalable businesses with regional and global ambitions. The fund plans to deploy up to QAR 500 million across promising ventures operating in sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, digital services, and emerging technologies.
Al-Hajri expressed confidence in GRO’s growth potential, citing the strength of its leadership team, product vision, and market opportunity. He emphasised that the fund’s objective is to help high-potential startups scale from Qatar while contributing to the country’s innovation economy.
Looking Ahead
With its headquarters now established in Doha, GRO is preparing for the next phase of growth. The company has launched an early-access programme ahead of its beta release and is actively building partnerships across the financial services, education, and technology sectors.
The move adds another international startup to Qatar’s expanding innovation landscape and reflects the country’s continued efforts to attract entrepreneurs, investment, and technology-driven businesses aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030.
As Qatar continues to strengthen its position as a regional hub for startups and venture capital, investments such as GrowthX Capital’s backing of GRO highlight the growing confidence in the country’s ability to nurture globally relevant innovation from the heart of the Gulf.
