Merck launces MENA femtech accelerator

Merck has launched a MENA femtech accelerator with Qatar Science & Technology Park to back startups improving women’s health.

The QSTP x Merck FemTech Accelerator aims to identify and support up to 30 startups developing solutions across women’s health, with a focus on innovations powered by artificial intelligence, robotics and materials science.

Selected companies will receive scaling support, market entry pathways and pilot opportunities to support commercial expansion into Qatar and the wider region.

Ahmed Aboelfadl, general manager for the Gulf at Merck, said: “Women’s health remains one of the most under-addressed areas in healthcare innovation globally.

“Through this partnership with QSTP, Merck is proud to support the growth of FemTech companies developing science- and technology-led solutions that can meaningfully improve health outcomes for women.

“By combining global scientific expertise with regional collaboration, this initiative will help accelerate innovation, enable real-world impact, and strengthen the ecosystem for women’s health across Qatar and the wider MENA region.”

The programme will feature a two-week immersion in Doha, where founders will engage with clinicians, regulators, investors and innovation leaders.

Rama Chakaki, president of QSTP, said: “At QSTP, we believe that meaningful innovation is inclusive.

“This accelerator is designed to support high-potential startups and generate measurable, scalable impact on women’s health across multiple markets.

“Leveraging Qatar’s growing innovation ecosystem alongside Merck’s global scientific leadership, we are creating pathways for FemTech solutions to be piloted, validated and adopted at regional and global scale.”