Challenge 22
Initiative description: Continuing to run award cycles and to enhance the incubation phase for winning ideas in order to accelerate progress towards commercialisation and implementation of ideas for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Challenge 22 was a Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) flagship innovation programme. It invited local and regional entrepreneurs and innovators to provide solutions that could directly support Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup™. Challenge 22 attracted more than 1,400 applications from Qatar and the MENA region, awarding nearly USD 2 million in grant funding to 13 selected start-ups. Six Challenge 22 solutions have been commercialised to bring new products to the market.
Challenge 22 programme
Challenge 22 provided regional start-ups with the opportunity to be active delivery partners in the world’s largest sporting mega-event. The programme provided funding, business support, mentoring and networking opportunities to participating start-ups. By providing knowledge-sharing, national support and the opportunity to become part of the Qatari business landscape to the selected start-ups, Challenge 22 has supported Qatar’s transformation into a central hub for innovation and technological advancement in the Middle East.
From its launch in 2015, Challenge 22 attracted more than 1,400 applications from Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia. Nearly USD 2 million in grant funding was awarded to 13 selected start-ups. Six Challenge 22 solutions have been commercialised to bring new products to the market.
Further funding was provided to four Challenge 22 winning start-ups: Bonocle, ViaVii, SunPave and Podeo – to pilot and establish operations in Qatar. Each of these start-ups were created in the Middle East and offered solutions related to hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Challenge 22 winning start-ups
Bonocle
Inspired by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ mission to be the first fully accessible tournament, Bonocle is an electronic device which uses Bluetooth technology to transform digital content into braille messages. It greatly improves visually impaired people's digital access – at a much lower cost than existing devices. It allows the visually impaired to access information and share it. Bonocle leverages its hardware using applications developed and optimized for work, learn or play. This is achieved through tactile and auditory feedback such as braille, haptics, and screen reader/voice over that enables interaction through buttons, motion, and speech.
ViaVii
The ViaVii offers tailored and immersive travel experiences designed and hosted by local communities which can be booked directly through its website or mobile app. It enables locals to digitise their offerings with ready-to-buy experiences, thereby increasing their revenue and visibility, and connecting them to travellers looking for personalised and unique experiences. ViaVii launched a new social project in 2019 - ViaVii Locals - which aims to build sustainable tourism businesses in rural communities by encouraging and supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) to develop tourism services. In 2021 ViaVii opened their office in Qatar at Qatar Science and Technology Park Free Zone and supported the overall fan experience during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ where fans could visit their website or mobile app and choose to go on unique cultural excursions during their stay. The platform currently offers more than 3,000 experiences, and was named by the World Economic Forum as one of the top 100 Arab start-ups.
SunPave
SunPave is an innovative, locally researched and designed photovoltaic tile that can replace traditional outdoor hardscape. As an alternative to concrete, bricks, or other ground cover, SunPave tiles are easily installed, can be walked on, and provide electricity to lights or equipment. In addition, materials are selected to withstand prolonged exposure to high summer temperatures. SunPave tiles were installed at Al Thumama Stadium, and stored converted energy will be utilised to operate various components within the stadium to test the tiles and their electrical power generation potential. Future plans are in place to install the tiles at other stadiums, once the testing of the tiles prove successful at Al-Thumama stadium. Along with applications related to the sporting stadiums, SunPave can have broad applications in many other public spaces and in residential areas across the Middle East that are not connected to the electricity grid.
Podeo
Podeo is an aggregator platform app which sources podcasts based on a user’s preferences. Podeo has developed in-app voice commands to ensure it can be used hands-free while driving. Podeo has collaborated with the Qatar Legacy Ambassador programme to pilot their application and have since produced over 10 podcast episodes on football, Qatar, and its preparations for hosting the first ever edition of the FIFA World Cup™ in the region. These are available to listen to on their mobile app and website.
Today, the programme is dubbed as the Arab world’s largest podcasting platform. As a testament to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ vision to inspire the region’s entrepreneurs, Podeo’s CEO and Founder, Stefano Fallaha, was listed in Forbes Middle East’s 30 under 30 of 2019.
Stefano Fallaha also hosted panel discussions and interviews with some of the world’s tech leaders at the 2022 Web Summit.