Oxford Capital Partners, QNB, Ansbacher establish venture capital firm for Qatar

The two funds are called QSTP New Enterprise Fund and QSTP Technology Venture Fund. They will invest in science and technology companies based within QSTP.

The $30m New Enterprise Fund provides seed and early stage capital and focuses on moving technology from the lab bench to the marketplace.

The $100m Technology Venture Fund invests in growth stage technology companies, helping them to scale up production and expand their technology pipeline.

Edward Mott, founder and chairman of Oxford Capital Partners, said, 'Oxford Capital Partners has extensive international experience of identifying and investing in new science and technology companies and views the current opportunity in Qatar as significant. All the shareholders of Qatar Capital Partners share the long-term vision of the Qatar government and are committed to supporting investment in education, science and applied research in the growing knowledge economy.'

Ali Sharif Al Emadi, acting CEO of Qatar National Bank, commented, 'Science and technology play an important role in the growth of Qatar's economy and QNB is delighted to continue to play a part in this development through Qatar Capital Partners. We are pleased to be able to contribute our significant financial expertise and specialist knowledge of the region to both the Qatar Science & Technology Park's venture funds and future investment opportunities.'

Hugh Titcomb, CEO of Ansbacher Group, added, 'We are delighted to be working with our parent company QNB and Oxford Capital Partners to create this joint venture which will open up Qatari technology investment to new investors. The Ansbacher group brings considerable investment expertise, experience with the Qatar Financial Centre regulators and fundraising skills to the venture.'

Oxford Capital Partners manages four Oxford Gateway Funds and oversees a portfolio of around 25 companies in a range of technology sectors, including ICT, clean technologies, and life and physical sciences.

QNB is a Qatari-owned commercial bank. It has been expanding its international presence with new locations in Singapore and Libya, Oman, Kuwait and Yemen, supplementing existing branches in London and Paris and a representative office in Iran.

London-based Ansbacher, QNB's wealth management and private banking subsidiary, operates in Switzerland, the Channel Islands, the Bahamas, Dubai International Financial Center and Qatar Financial Center.

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