I moved to Qatar 11 years ago from San Francisco to start my own company, says Wisam Costandi (pictured). To say it was a big change is an understatement. Starting a company is difficult, but launching it in a foreign land adds a layer of complexity he added, noting that many of the issues you face are completely outside your area of expertise, with the most mundane tasks suddenly becoming monumental challenges. Telling his personal exprience Costandi said “I’m an engineer, so how can I hire a qualified accountant? What is cashflow? How do I open a bank account?” The entrepreneurship journey is a lonely one, and wish that I had someone to talk to at the time who had walked a similar path.
I first learned about Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) in 2017, when my company was awarded a grant from the Product Development Fund (PDF) – a QSTP program that funds SMEs and startups working to develop products and services relevant to local market needs. We received the grant for an airport system that we had developed for Hamad International Airport, called ‘EMMA’, and, consequently, the PDF allowed us to continue developing the system. In fact, ‘EMMA’ has since become its own company, and is now marketed worldwide. From that experience, I learned QSTP had a slew of programs to support entrepreneurship and the startup ecosystem.
I had actually never considered being a mentor – I was focused on my work and had never taken a step back to look at the entrepreneurship journey from a more holistic point of view. However, QSTP evidently saw value in me become part of the program. So, when I was asked to be a mentor for its XLR8 program – its flagship accelerator initiative – I thought it would be a good opportunity to give back to the community. And I am delighted that I agreed, as it has been an exceptionally rewarding experience.
As a mentor, it’s exciting to be exposed to fresh ideas from enthusiastic minds, all wanting to change the world – it allows me to stay connected with the upcoming generation and trends. Besides helping shape the leaders of tomorrow, mentoring has helped me learn more about myself – about my profession and my skills, as well as how to improve them. Often as an entrepreneur, nobody believes in you except yourself. The journey is long, with many twists and turns, and, as someone who has lived through the darkest days, I want them to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
This autumn will be my third cycle as a mentor for QSTP’s XLR8, and my message to men and women looking to become entrepreneurs is, like any startup, to persevere and be persistent. There is no substitute for hard work, especially in the face of (what seems) endless obstacles and setbacks. There will be rewards along the way, so take time to celebrate your victories. The entrepreneurial journey is difficult – but if it were easy, everybody would do it.
