Who Can Apply

Azal is open to everyone, subject to applicable laws and organizer requirements: startups and entrepreneurs, companies, universities and research teams, creatives and practitioners.

Your solution should address a smart city or sustainability challenge and be ready or near-ready for demonstration, testing, or pilot. Applicants must have the right to submit and present it. Concept-only ideas requiring significant early-stage development will not be prioritized. You may submit more than one solution.

Two Award Categories

Each category winner will receive funding and support, subject to solution requirements, technical feasibility, and required approvals, plus the chance to be demonstrated, tested, piloted, or deployed within a real smart city environment.

Best Smart City Innovation Award

For solutions that improve Msheireb Downtown Doha through technology, services, operations, visitor experience, mobility, or data.

Potential areas: smart mobility, AI and digital solutions, smart buildings, customer and visitor experience, urban technology, safety and security, smart services, operational efficiency.

Best Smart City Sustainability Award

For solutions that reduce environmental impact, enhance resource efficiency, support circular economy principles, or create positive social and community value.

Potential areas: energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and recycling, circular economy, sustainable mobility, green spaces and urban agriculture, carbon reduction, climate resilience.

Built With Our Strategic Partners

Azal brings together complementary strengths: Doha Design District provides the platform and the real-world environment, QSTP the innovation ecosystem, and Siemens the technology and industry expertise. DDD and Msheireb Properties lead and fund the 2027 program, with Msheireb Downtown Doha as the live testing ground for the two winning solutions.

Siemens

Siemens joins Azal as a strategic partner, aligned around digitalization, sustainability, smart infrastructure, and technology. Siemens experts will:

• Help evaluate and select proposals, from technology, AI, energy efficiency, cybersecurity, and smart infrastructure perspectives
• Mentor shortlisted teams on technical feasibility, scalability, and deployment
• Support technical development and, where there is a strong fit, explore pilot support through Siemens technologies and expertise
• Share industry insight at Downtown Tech, and help amplify Azal

Qtar Science & Technology Park (QSTP)

QSTP joins Azal as a strategic partner, bringing its expertise and role in Qatar’s innovation and startup ecosystem. QSTP will:

• Take part in filtering proposals and in the joint committee that shortlists the Top 10
• Work with the Top 10 to refine their pitches ahead of Downtown Tech, and host or support the pitching session
• Support the selected projects through development and deployment in 2027

Connect Azal with QSTP startups, experts, and researchers, and explore future startup pilots at DDD and Msheireb Downtown Doha