Sidra Medicine Advanced Imaging Core Recognized as ZEISS labs@location Reference Customer
Recognition places Sidra Medicine among a global network of research institutions advancing imaging science and clinical innovation Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has achieved a major international recognition after being formally designated as a ZEISS labs@location Reference Customer through its Advanced Imaging Core. The designation places the Doha-based healthcare and research institution within a select global network of leading hospitals, academic medical centers, and scientific core facilities recognized for excellence in advanced microscopy and biomedical imaging. The recognition marks an important milestone for Qatar’s growing research and innovation landscape, reinforcing Sidra Medicine’s role as a regional hub for precision medicine, translational research, and advanced clinical innovation. The ZEISS labs@location Program was created to deepen collaboration between ZEISS and leading laboratories around the world. It supports the development of advanced imaging applications, scientific training, expert demonstrations, knowledge exchange, and the use of next-generation microscopy technologies in research and clinical environments. For Sidra Medicine, the designation reflects the strength of its Advanced Imaging Core, which has built a strong reputation for supporting complex imaging applications, high-quality scientific research, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Dr. Abbirami Sathappan, Lead of the Advanced Imaging Core at Sidra Medicine, said the recognition reflected the expertise and infrastructure developed within the facility. “Being recognized as a ZEISS labs@location Reference Customer reflects the strength of the expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative environment we have built within the Advanced Imaging Core,” she said. “The designation strengthens our ability to support researchers and clinicians with advanced imaging workflows that accelerate discovery and contribute to clinically relevant research.” The designation followed a detailed evaluation of Sidra Medicine’s Advanced Imaging Core, which demonstrated advanced imaging capabilities, strong operational standards, technical expertise, and the ability to provide high-level training and knowledge transfer. The center was also recognized for supporting publication-grade research, complex imaging workflows, and collaborative scientific initiatives. This achievement places Sidra Medicine alongside globally recognized leaders in imaging science and biomedical research. More importantly, it highlights Qatar’s growing investment in world-class research infrastructure and its ambition to build strong local capabilities in healthcare innovation. Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, said the recognition aligned with Sidra Medicine’s long-term commitment to investing in advanced research platforms with direct relevance to patient care. “We are very proud today of this exceptional recognition of our Advanced Imaging Core,” he said. “At Sidra Medicine, our philosophy has always been to invest in developing state-of-the-art core research platforms, led by visionary staff building testing capabilities with direct relevance for patient care.” He added that the ZEISS designation supported Sidra Medicine’s mission to improve the understanding of rare and complex diseases, strengthen diagnostics, and help deliver more precise treatments for patients. The recognition also strengthens Sidra Medicine’s position in international research partnerships. According to Dr. Sara Tomei, Director of Integrated Genomic Services at Sidra Medicine, the designation enhances the institution’s competitiveness for peer-reviewed grants and global collaborations by demonstrating advanced technology leadership, scientific capability, and training excellence. She added that the recognition would also support the development of local expertise through structured training opportunities for clinicians, fellows, researchers, and technologists. For Qatar’s healthcare and research sector, the announcement carries broader significance. As the country continues to invest in precision medicine, genomics, advanced diagnostics, and translational research, institutions such as Sidra Medicine are playing a central role in connecting scientific discovery with clinical impact. The ZEISS labs@location designation further supports Sidra Medicine’s mission to integrate advanced technologies into research and clinical innovation, improving outcomes for patients and families in Qatar and beyond. By joining this elite international network, Sidra Medicine has reinforced its position as one of the region’s leading centers for biomedical research, advanced imaging, and precision medicine — while strengthening Qatar’s place on the global map of healthcare innovation.
Qatar Jewellery Designers Take Center Stage at Exclusive Doha Showcase
Qatar’s growing luxury and creative economy was placed firmly in the spotlight as a curated jewellery showcase at Ned’s Club Doha brought together some of the country’s most promising designers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders under one roof. The two-day private event, organised by Qatar-based premium public relations agency Creatives Amplified, marked the launch of “Taking Back the City” — a new CSR-driven initiative focused on supporting local brands, creative entrepreneurship, and the expansion of Qatar’s design and cultural sectors. Held from May 10 to 11 at the prestigious Ned’s Club Doha, the event transformed the members’ venue into an immersive luxury exhibition space featuring bespoke collections from a range of Qatar-based jewellery brands and independent designers. The showcase provided an exclusive platform for local creatives to engage directly with media, business leaders, collectors, and influential members of Doha’s luxury and hospitality community. The initiative was designed not only as an exhibition but also as a strategic networking and knowledge-sharing platform to strengthen Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and elevate homegrown creative talent in the luxury market. Speaking during the event, Harriet Abiodun, Founder and PR Director of Creatives Amplified, said the initiative was created to reignite attention around Doha’s creative economy while giving greater visibility to local designers shaping the future of Qatar’s luxury sector. She emphasised that the showcase served as both a celebration of established legacy brands and an introduction to emerging names redefining the city’s jewellery landscape through innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. The event also highlighted the growing collaboration between Qatar’s hospitality, business, and creative sectors. Laurentia Meredith, Director of Membership at Ned’s Club Doha, noted that supporting local talent and creative excellence remains an important part of the club’s broader commitment to Doha’s evolving cultural and entrepreneurial environment. Beyond the exhibition itself, the showcase incorporated a series of expert-led discussions exploring the heritage, evolution, and future of jewellery design and trade in Qatar. The opening day featured a panel discussion moderated by media expert Narges Raiss, with contributions from designer and educator Mariam AlMajed, luxury business strategist Aljazi Makki, and cultural expert and collector Rashid Al Murikhi. The discussion explored the intersection of tradition, craftsmanship, business strategy, and modern luxury within Qatar’s jewellery sector. On the second day, Kimberly Labs — Qatar’s first diamond and gemstone authentication laboratory — delivered a presentation focused on gemstone verification, authentication standards, and smart jewellery investment practices. Guests were also offered live, on-site evaluations of their personal jewellery pieces, creating an interactive educational experience that blended luxury with consumer awareness and professional expertise. Production partner Spirit Events played a key role in shaping the exhibition environment, designing a sophisticated infrastructure that reflects the premium quality of the showcased collections while encouraging meaningful interaction among guests, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals. The strong response from invited attendees reinforced growing interest in Qatar’s luxury entrepreneurship and creative industries, with many guests praising the event’s combination of business networking, cultural dialogue, and curated craftsmanship. As Qatar continues to invest in its knowledge-based economy and creative industries under Qatar National Vision 2030, initiatives such as “Taking Back the City” are emerging as important platforms to empower local businesses, support SMEs, and strengthen the country’s position as a regional hub for luxury, design, and entrepreneurship. The successful debut of the jewellery-focused edition also signals broader ambitions for the initiative, with future editions expected to spotlight additional sectors across Qatar’s growing creative economy. Image Copyright: Lavinia L. Costerbosa
Snoonu Invests in Qatari Startup HASIF Through Startup Factory Initiative
Snoonu has announced its investment in HASIF, a Qatari startup focused on smart accounting and financial compliance solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as part of the company’s Startup Factory initiative designed to empower entrepreneurs and accelerate innovation in Qatar. The investment follows the successful Startup Factory competition and showcase held in Doha last week, where emerging startups presented technology-driven solutions addressing key business and market challenges across multiple sectors. Founded by Qatar University graduates and young Qatari entrepreneurs Noof Alhbabi, Maryam Eisa, and Dana Alwadaani, HASIF is developing an AI-powered digital platform to simplify financial operations for SMEs. The platform enables businesses to manage accounting, invoicing, financial reporting, and compliance processes more efficiently through automation and intelligent financial tools. In addition to streamlining operations, HASIF connects companies with accounting professionals and helps businesses prepare for future VAT implementation and evolving digital compliance requirements in Qatar and across the region. The investment marks the second startup supported through the Snoonu Startup Factory initiative, following the company’s earlier investment in Sufra AI. The move reflects Snoonu’s broader strategy to strengthen Qatar’s startup ecosystem, support local talent, and contribute to the country’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. As Qatar continues to position itself as a regional hub for entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, initiatives such as Startup Factory are playing an increasingly important role in creating opportunities for young founders and in scaling homegrown businesses that address real market needs. The latest investment also highlights growing momentum in Qatar’s startup landscape, particularly in fintech, AI, and SME-focused digital solutions — sectors expected to continue growing as businesses across the Gulf accelerate digital transformation and compliance modernisation. With startups like HASIF entering the spotlight, Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to demonstrate its ability to produce scalable, innovation-driven companies with regional potential.
Sidra Medicine introduces Qatar’s first advanced gene-editing therapy for sickle cell disease and thalassemia
First Patient Onboarded for Treatment Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has been qualified by Vertex Pharmaceuticals as one of a of a limited number of hospitals in the world, to administer Casgevy, a groundbreaking, one-time CRISPR/Cas9-based gene therapy treatment. Casgevy is now available in Qatar for patients aged 12 years and older, living with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT) and severe sickle cell disease (SCD). Prof. Ibrahim Janahi, Chief Medical Officer at Sidra Medicine, said: “We are proud to be chosen as the first hospital in Qatar to deliver a gene editing therapy with the potential for a functional cure. This milestone reinforces Qatar’s position as a regional leader in advanced medicine and precision health. Through our collaboration with Vertex, we are bringing the world’s first approved medicine using the Nobel Prize winning CRISPR/Cas9 technology to treat transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease. The therapy is available to children in Qatar and the broader MENA region.” Approved by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar (MOPH), as well as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and other agencies, Casgevy is the first-in-class CRISPR/Cas 9 gene-edited therapy that targets the genetic root cause of these inherited blood disorders. The therapy has shown transformative outcomes for patients with sickle cell disease and independence from regular blood transfusions for patients with transfusion dependent beta thalassemia. Hisham Hagar, Executive Country Manager at Vertex GCC, said: “The launch of the CRISPR/Cas9 therapy in Qatar represents a significant leap forward in our efforts against serious diseases. This achievement is a direct result of our invaluable partnership with Sidra Medicine and reinforces Vertex’s mission to transform lives through scientific innovation. We are confident that this treatment will offer the potential for a durable and impactful treatment option for eligible patients with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease in Qatar.” Sidra Medicine currently follows approximately 150 to 200 children in Qatar diagnosed with thalassemia and sickle cell disease. While not all of them need gene-therapy, Casgevy is reserved for patients with the most severe form of SCD or TDT — those still experiencing frequent pain crises, stroke risk, or the cumulative burden of lifelong transfusions despite the best medical care. For this group, where conventional treatment is no longer enough, Casgevy offers something genuinely new: a one-time intervention aimed at the root cause. Dr. Chiara Cugno, Acting Chief of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant and Director of the Advanced Cell Therapy Core at Sidra Medicine, said: “The introduction of Casgevy marks a historic advancement for people living with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and severe sickle cell disease. This therapy offers not only hope but the potential for a functional cure, by addressing these diseases at their genetic origin. Our team at Sidra Medicine has worked closely with Vertex to ensure that all clinical, ethical, and technical processes are in place to deliver this treatment safely and effectively.” Sidra Medicine’s approval as a Casgevy treatment center means that eligible patients in Qatar will now have access to this one-time, potentially curative therapy closer to home. It has just onboarded its first patient who is currently undergoing assessment for the therapy. Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi, Chair of Pediatric Medicine at Sidra Medicine said: “Our goal is to ensure that every child treated at Sidra Medicine receives not only the most advanced therapies but also compassionate, family-centered care throughout their journey. Casgevy represents more than a scientific breakthrough. It embodies our commitment to improving the lives of young patients living with these challenging conditions. By integrating innovation with compassion, we are redefining what it means to deliver excellence in pediatric care.” Prof. Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, added: “This milestone exemplifies our precision health vision, where treatment is guided by each patient’s unique genetic makeup. By bringing transformative gene therapies like Casgevy to Qatar, Sidra Medicine is leveraging cutting-edge research and clinical practice to deliver personalized care for children living with rare and inherited diseases. This is a testament to our national commitment to advancing genomic medicine and positioning Qatar as a leader in precision health across the region.” Casgevy has already been successfully administered to patients globally outside of clinical trials, achieving transfusion independence and significant improvements in quality of life. With this milestone, Sidra Medicine reaffirms its vision to become a regional center of excellence in pediatric cell and gene therapy, expanding access to advanced, personalized, and life-changing treatments. The treatment journey The treatment journey at Sidra Medicine will begin with the safe collection of a patient’s stem cells through apheresis. The cells, in collaboration with Vertex, are then sent to expert laboratories, where they undergo gene editing and validation using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Once edited, the cells are returned to Sidra Medicine and preserved until infused. Before infusion, the patient receives chemotherapy to prepare their body to accept the new cells. The gene-edited cells are then infused back into the patient, where they begin to grow in the bone marrow and start producing healthy red blood cells. This complex and highly specialized process is followed by a comprehensive post-treatment recovery and long-term monitoring plan led by Sidra Medicine’s multidisciplinary team in pediatric hematology, oncology, nephrology, and the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility.
Ambition, Drive, Solution-Driven: Capital for a Growth Story
Mohab Mohammed Kamal, Founder and CEO of ConnectED, Doha, Qatar. At 16, Mohab Mohammed Kamal has already done what most founders spend years trying to do — find a real problem, build a real product, and make people care. Meet the founder of ConnectED. By Aparajita Mukherjee About the founder: Mohab Mohammed Kamal, 16 years old. Founder and CEO of ConnectED — a platform connecting high school students, schools, and universities globally. Founded in May 2025. Based in Doha, Qatar. The Problem Nobody Had Solved It started with a feeling every high school student knows — the overwhelming, directionless confusion of figuring out what to do with your life. Mohab Mohammed Kamal was 15 when he felt it. He had questions and nowhere to go for answers. What is my passion? What should I study? How do I even reach out to a university? The platforms that existed were dense, outdated, and built for someone else. Handshake, for example, connects university students to employers. Nobody was connecting high school students to universities — at the moment they needed it most. So Kamal built it himself. “ConnectED is a three-sided marketplace connecting high school students, schools, and universities. The problem exists on every side simultaneously — students are lost, schools have no real infrastructure to guide their students, and universities have no efficient way to reach the right students early. We fix all three in one platform.” After surveying over 200 students who shared the same struggle, the idea became a mission. Built by Gen Z, for Gen Z — the way this process should have always worked. BL: How do schools and universities benefit from ConnectED? Schools finally have a real tool. Right now counsellors are managing hundreds of students with no structured system — they can’t track where each student is in their individual journey, what they need, or where they’re headed. ConnectED gives schools full visibility and control over that entire process. For universities, the benefit is access. They currently spend enormous resources on recruitment with no efficient channel to reach the right students early. ConnectED gives them a direct line to motivated, relevant students at exactly the right moment — before those students have already decided to go somewhere else. BL: With no paid advertising, how are you managing growth? We built something people actually wanted to talk about. 706 users came through word of mouth, competition exposure, and the Web Summit platform. When you solve a real problem and you’re a 16-year-old who built it himself, people share it. That’s not a strategy you can manufacture — it comes from the product being real and the story being genuine. On top of that, we have a full organic marketing strategy ready to execute — social media videos, content, posts — all designed to grow the platform without relying on paid advertising. We’re just getting started on that front. BL: Talk us through your experience at Web Summit 2026. It was something truly amazing — and hopefully we’ll be back next year. Being the youngest exhibitor in the room, surrounded by some of the most serious founders, investors, and operators in the world — and holding our own — was one of the most defining moments of building ConnectED. The video that went viral gave us an enormous push. It made the platform more well-known across Qatar — students, institutions, and people we’d never reached before started finding us. We even had people reaching out wanting serious discussions about the platform off the back of it. That exposure proved that the story resonates well beyond just our immediate network. BL: What do your awards and competition wins mean for the journey ahead? They do two things. First, credibility — when you’re 16 and telling investors and institutions you’ve built something real, third-party validation matters. Winning against 200+ teams at Al Fikra, advancing at INJAZ Mubadara, the Lenabtaker Excellence Award — these aren’t participation trophies, they’re proof points. Second, network. Every competition puts you in a room with mentors, investors, and operators you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. That network compounds over time. BL: Do you plan to take ConnectED beyond Qatar? ConnectED was never a Qatar-only idea. The problem — students navigating university admissions with no real support — exists everywhere. Every country, every education system. Qatar is where we’re starting because it’s where we are, where we have traction, and where we can build the model properly before scaling. But the roadmap is global. The platform, the infrastructure, the marketplace model — it all travels. BL: With 706 registered users, how many have been accepted to a university? The honest context here is important. The 706 students came to the platform when it was still a prototype — when we only had the student side built. There was no school or university side yet, meaning the actual connection between students and institutions hadn’t been made yet. What we proved was demand — students found us and signed up organically. Right now we’re rebuilding the full platform with a professional development agency, adding the school and university layers properly. Before we launch, we’re going out to schools and universities directly to get them onboarded so that when we go live, the full flow is ready from day one. That’s when we’ll be able to track outcomes end-to-end — and it will become one of our strongest proof points. BL: Once you go to university yourself — how do you plan to sustain ConnectED? I have two options — either stay in Qatar and continue running ConnectED from here, or take it with me to whichever university I end up at. Either way, my goal is to have the entire business sorted, structured, and self-sustaining before I head to university. The team, the processes, the partnerships — everything in place so that ConnectED can manage itself whether I’m in Doha or anywhere else in the world. The company shouldn’t depend on me being in one place. That’s
Qatar and the Wider GCC Are Becoming Central Nodes in Global Capital
Laura Merlini, Managing Director EMEA, CAIA Association, speaks exclusively to Business Leaders Qatar. CAIA Association’s landmark global study, The World Rewired, reveals how geopolitics, technology, and organisational change are reconstructing the architecture of capital markets — and why Qatar sits at the centre of it all. By Aparajita Mukherjee About the interviewee : Laura Merlini, Managing Director EMEA, CAIA Association. Leading regional strategy since 2012, and a senior alternatives professional and frequent speaker on governance, responsible investing, and industry trends. About the study: CAIA Association — a global network of investment professionals redefining the future of capital allocation — has released a new global study, The World Rewired, highlighting how the investment landscape is undergoing a “wholesale rewiring” as geopolitics, technology, and organisational capabilities reshape how capital is raised, allocated, and managed. BL: How is the investment landscape of today distinct from what it was five years back? Five years ago, most of us still assumed a world of low rates, ample liquidity, and relatively benign globalisation. Today, that framework no longer holds. We are operating with higher and more uncertain real rates, sharper geopolitical fault lines, and a more fragmented map of trade and capital flows. At the same time, what we used to call “alternatives” has moved to the centre of many institutional portfolios. Value creation and governance are increasingly happening in private markets, often long before a company considers listing — if it lists at all. Public and private markets are converging, which challenges traditional 60/40 thinking and pushes us toward a genuine total portfolio mindset. In developing The World Rewired report, we listened closely to senior leaders and CAIA members, and a consistent insight emerged: this is not just another cycle. The underlying logic of how markets work is shifting. BL: How does the troika of geopolitics, technology, and organisational capabilities impact the investment landscape? Geopolitics has moved from background noise to a core input in the investment process. It now influences which deals get done, where firms place talent, and how capital flows across regions. We see regional clusters of capital across the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, each with distinct rules and sovereign priorities. Technology is the second force. Two innovations are racing toward the same goal of broadening access to private markets. Semi-liquid fund structures work within today’s infrastructure, while tokenised products could redefine that infrastructure entirely. Whether these approaches ultimately complement each other or collide remains an open question. The third force is organisational capability. Firms are moving toward flatter and more agile models to keep pace with regulatory and technological change. The skills gap is no longer just technical. It is about judgment under complexity, geopolitical awareness, and digital fluency. Many leaders quietly admit their organisations are not fully ready. BL: Coming to Qatar and the wider GCC, what is the outlook on investments and capital raising today? From an EMEA perspective, Qatar and the wider GCC are becoming central nodes in global capital — not peripheral markets. In Qatar, policy anchored in Vision 2030 is channelling capital into technology, health, education, and digital infrastructure, supported by the Qatar Investment Authority and development bank platforms. Recent forecasts point to real GDP growth of around 4 percent in 2025, and above 5 percent in 2026, driven by LNG expansion and diversification into advanced industries, logistics, the digital economy, and financial services. Across the Gulf, sovereign wealth funds have emerged as a new centre of gravity in state capital. In 2025, Gulf sovereign investors deployed approximately US$119 billion (QR422.16 billion) — roughly 43 percent of all capital invested by state-owned funds worldwide. By the end of that year, global sovereign wealth assets stood at around US$15 trillion (QR54.6 trillion), with Gulf-based funds accounting for an estimated US$6 trillion (QR21.8 trillion). When you raise capital from a Gulf sovereign fund, you are aligning with returns, national development, and geopolitical positioning at the same time. The architecture of this capital is also evolving — as seen in Abu Dhabi’s restructuring into a three-pole system with distinct global, industrial, and domestic development mandates. For global investors and issuers, the GCC offers deep and increasingly sophisticated capital, but it demands serious engagement with local mandates and governance. BL: What is the definition of long-term today, given that geopolitics is at its most delicate juncture? In this environment, “long term” is less a fixed number of years and more a mindset and governance choice. It means being willing to stay invested through policy shifts, technological disruption, and geopolitical episodes instead of reacting to every headline. Practically, that requires portfolios and institutions that can absorb shocks without being forced into pro-cyclical behaviour. Robust liquidity planning, diversified funding sources, and the thoughtful use of private markets across regions all play a critical role. We need scenario-based thinking and investment committees empowered to lean into dislocations when risk premia widen. That might include long-dated infrastructure, energy transition projects, or digital assets in reforming markets — always with managers who understand local complexity. Long-term today is about resilience and flexibility. BL: How will the IPO scenario be affected in this climate? Higher rates, valuation discipline, and geopolitical uncertainty have made IPO markets more cyclical and selective. The GCC illustrates this well. In 2025, IPOs in the region raised approximately US$5.1 billion (QR18.6 billion) from around 40 deals — a clear step down from US$13.2 billion (QR48.04 billion) in 2024, despite the number of listings remaining reasonably healthy. The engine is still there, but investors are more demanding on quality and pricing. Looking ahead, the outlook is cautiously positive. The GCC pipeline is broad — spanning energy-adjacent sectors, financials, logistics, technology, and consumer businesses supported by privatisations and family listings. Success will depend on timing, valuation, and post-listing execution. Crucially, IPOs are now one of several liquidity options. Many companies will remain private longer, funded by private equity, venture capital, and sovereign investors. That reinforces a key theme from The World Rewired — public and private markets are converging, and
Qatar’s Window to the Universe
The Blue Horsehead Nebula (IC 4592), captured over seven nights from Sawda Natheel, southern Qatar. Image courtesy: Rabeea Alkuwari / NASA APOD A striking deep-space image captured from Qatar’s desert skies by astrophotographer Rabeea Alkuwari, selected as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day. Qatari astrophotographer Rabeea Alkuwari has once again captured the world’s attention — and NASA’s — after his breathtaking image of the Blue Horsehead Nebula (IC 4592) was selected as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day, marking his third such recognition from the world’s most celebrated space agency. Shot across seven painstaking nights from Sawda Natheel in southern Qatar, the image required two adjacent frames stitched together to capture the nebula’s full scale — a technical feat that reflects both the complexity of deep-sky imaging and the extraordinary clarity of Qatar’s desert skies. The subject, IC 4592 — the Blue Horsehead Nebula — is a reflection nebula in the constellation Scorpius, illuminated by the bright star Nu Scorpii. Its delicate blue hues and vast celestial structure make it one of the most visually striking deep-sky objects, and one of the most technically demanding to photograph. “Being able to share my work from the premium skies of Qatar with the world is always a pleasure.” -RABEEA ALKUWARI, ASTROPHOTOGRAPHER A mechanical engineer by profession and a stargazer by passion, Alkuwari’s achievement is a powerful reminder that world-class scientific artistry can emerge from right here in Qatar — from its silent desert plains, its expansive dark skies, and from the quiet ambition of those who look upward and refuse to stop reaching. WHY THIS MATTERS FOR QATAR Alkuwari’s recognition places Qatar on the global map of scientific and creative achievement — not through imported expertise, but through homegrown talent. His work demonstrates that Qatar’s people are capable of contributing to humanity’s greatest pursuit: understanding the universe. NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day programme, running since 1995, features a single image each day selected by professional astronomers for its scientific and artistic merit. To be selected once is remarkable. To be selected three times — from the same patch of desert sky in southern Qatar — is extraordinary. In a nation building its future across technology, science, education and culture, Alkuwari’s lens has become one of Qatar’s most powerful instruments of achievement — pointing not inward, but outward, into the infinite. “World-class scientific artistry can emerge from right here in Qatar.” -BUSINESS LEADERS QATAR
Dana Al Fardan Bridges Qatari Heritage & Sardinian Culture in “The Song of the Two Seas”
In a landmark intercultural performance titled “The Song of the Two Seas”, celebrated Qatari composer Dana Al Fardan brought the essence of Qatari musical heritage to the prestigious Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in Italy. Presented on New Year’s Eve 2025, the concert marked a defining artistic exchange between Qatar and Sardinia, uniting two coastal cultures shaped by the sea. A Cultural Bridge Between Qatar and Sardinia Under the direction of renowned maestro Giovanni Pasini, the evening introduced audiences to a sophisticated 75-minute programme fusing orchestral mastery with Qatari traditional motifs. The performance brought together: Al Fardan’s selections—including works from Tempest, Nadir, and the lullaby “Andimironnai”—were woven seamlessly with pieces by Glinka and Ezio Bosso. Maestro Pasini also premiered a new choral arrangement of Tempest, dedicated to the opera choir. The Sounding Stones: A Sonic Signature A highlight of the night was the integration of the legendary Sounding Stones by the late Sardinian sculptor Pinuccio Sciola. Played live by Maria Sciola and Andrea Granitzio, the stones emitted ancient, metallic resonances that merged naturally with Al Fardan’s contemporary orchestration. Al Fardan described this experience as “absorbing the frequency of the land,” blending Qatari rhythms with Sardinia’s geological soundscape. A Night of Prestigious Attendance The concert drew significant distinguished guests, including: Their presence underscored the growing cultural and diplomatic bridge between Qatar and Sardinia. Dana Al Fardan: Expanding Qatari Music to Global Stages As the first female Qatari composer to integrate traditional folk elements—especially Fijiri, the music of Qatari pearl divers—into orchestral compositions, Al Fardan continues to shape a distinctive artistic voice. Her cinematic album Tempest, recorded with over 100 musicians, explores global seafaring narratives threaded through Qatari heritage, reinforcing the universality of human stories shaped by the sea. Her international successes include: A Prelude to Deeper Cultural Collaboration Reflecting on the night, Al Fardan noted that “shared human values and a shared appreciation for the arts are laying the foundations for broader cultural integration.” The performance served not only as a celebration of artistic exchange but as a forward-looking signal for future collaborations across tourism, enterprise, and the creative industries between Sardinia and Qatar.
QIA and Goldman Sachs Sign Landmark MoU Targeting $25 Billion Investment, Strengthening Qatar’s Global Financial Influence
In one of the most significant financial announcements of 2026, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management have signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding their strategic partnership and unlocking a combined investment target of $25 billion. The agreement marks a pivotal moment for Qatar’s growing stature as a regional and global financial hub, reinforcing the nation’s long-term strategy to drive economic diversification, attract foreign investment, and strengthen private-sector growth. According to a statement released by QIA, the sovereign wealth fund intends to commit capital across Goldman Sachs’ flagship funds, innovative alternative investment strategies, and selected co-investment opportunities. The partnership expands QIA’s role as an anchor investor across multiple Goldman Sachs Asset Management platforms, giving Qatar preferential access to global deal flow in future-forward sectors, including: This move solidifies Qatar’s position as a leading institutional investor in high-growth global markets. As part of the expanded cooperation, Goldman Sachs will enhance its presence in Doha, building out its capabilities as a strategic asset management hub for the region. Through its global Value Accelerator network, Goldman Sachs will support Qatar in: This partnership aligns closely with Qatar’s ambitions to become a regional leader in alternative investments, innovation-led industries, and financial services. Commenting on the agreement, Mohammed Saif Al Sowaidi, CEO of QIA, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaboration: “QIA is pleased to partner with Goldman Sachs in this landmark agreement. It provides QIA with premium deal flow in sectors critical to our investment strategy, including AI, fintech, digital infrastructure and private credit. This partnership extends beyond capital deployment and reinforces Doha’s position as a regional financial center.” He further noted that Goldman Sachs’ commitment to expanding its Doha presence will support job creation, specialized skills development, and long-term economic value for Qatar. David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, emphasized Qatar’s strong momentum: “Qatar is on an exciting path of economic diversification, developing its capital markets, strengthening its talent base, and expanding its ecosystem of national champions. This creates substantial opportunity to widen Qatar’s global connectivity and impact as a multi-faceted investment partner.” Goldman Sachs stands among the world’s leading alternative investment managers, with: Its Value Accelerator Network will now work closely with Qatari institutions and the wider ecosystem to build enduring, globally competitive businesses. The QIA–Goldman Sachs MoU represents more than a financial partnership—it positions Doha as a rising global center for asset management, sovereign investment, and cross-border financial collaboration. With a $25 billion target fueling this strategic alliance, Qatar is poised to accelerate high-impact investments and strengthen its role in shaping the future of global finance.
Consulting HAUS Guides Snoonu Through Landmark $245M Acquisition, Marking Qatar’s First Billion-Riyal Tech Exit
Qatar’s technology and startup ecosystem reached a historic milestone as Snoonu was acquired by Jahez Group in a $245 million transaction, valuing the Doha-born platform at over QAR 1 billion. The deal represents Qatar’s first billion-riyal technology exit and one of the largest private capital infusions in the country’s history. At the centre of this landmark transaction was Consulting HAUS, which acted as exclusive sell-side advisor to Snoonu. The firm played a pivotal role in positioning the company for acquisition, safeguarding shareholder value, and securing favourable terms that reflected Snoonu’s rapid growth and regional ambitions. A Milestone for Qatar’s Tech Ecosystem The acquisition is widely viewed as a breakthrough moment for Qatar’s innovation landscape, signalling the maturity of its startup ecosystem and its growing relevance within the wider GCC technology market. By achieving a billion-riyal valuation, Snoonu has set a powerful precedent for local founders, investors, and emerging tech companies looking to scale beyond national borders. Consulting HAUS began its advisory mandate nearly a year before the transaction’s close, laying the groundwork through detailed business planning, operational readiness, and strategic positioning. This early-stage preparation proved critical in reducing friction during negotiations and ensuring the company entered the transaction process from a position of strength. Strategic Advisory at Every Stage Throughout the deal, Consulting HAUS led transaction execution, working closely with buy-side advisors, legal teams, and auditors. Its role spanned valuation strategy, deal structuring, due diligence coordination, and negotiation support—ensuring transparency, alignment among stakeholders, and disciplined project management at every stage. Commenting on the achievement, Laith Dajani, Managing Partner at Consulting HAUS, said the transaction demonstrates the importance of professional advisory in enabling successful cross-border GCC deals and highlights Qatar’s emergence as a hub for technology innovation. From Snoonu’s perspective, the acquisition represents both scale and continuity. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO of Snoonu, noted that the partnership with Jahez Group brings new investment and regional momentum, while allowing the company to remain anchored in Qatar’s values, vision, and talent base. Setting a New Benchmark Backed by a leadership team with more than 100 years of combined experience, Consulting HAUS continues to play a central role in advancing high-impact transactions across the GCC. Over the past seven years, the firm has delivered multiple landmark projects that support economic diversification, private-sector growth, and cross-border investment. The Snoonu–Jahez transaction now stands as a benchmark deal—not only for Qatar’s tech sector, but for the broader regional startup and M&A landscape—demonstrating what is possible when innovation, ambition, and strategic advisory converge.
