DOHA: Dr Alexander Osterwalder, co-author of bestseller Business Model Generation and renowned expert in innovative business models solutions, led a special edition of TECHTalks, a workshop by Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), held for the first time in association with Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship Program (TIEP) at Qatar National Convention Centre on March 23-24.
The workshop, 'Creating Innovative Business Models to Rejuvenate Your Business and Capture Value', is a programme designed by QSTP for entrepreneurs to analyse the market viability of local technology-based ideas. The event drew aspiring entrepreneurs, researchers, businessmen and businesswomen eager for the opportunity to learn out-of-the-box approaches that move away from static business plans and focus on the dynamic art of designing and testing business models.
Participants were introduced to Osterwalder's tools and ideas, experiencing first-hand how to reinvent existing business models and create new ones for their products and services. The expert addressed the importance of business model innovation and design thinking, and its reach beyond technology and product innovation.
"QSTP is committed to training future leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship to drive Qatar's economic diversification through the development of technology-based businesses. This special TECHTalks edition, featuring Dr Alexander Osterwalder, was designed to impart expert knowledge on how to invent, design and implement cutting edge business models that will transform innovative business ideas into reality. We were pleased at the turnout from Qatar's research and business communities, who would no doubt have benefited tremendously from this workshop," said Hamad Al Kuwari, Managing Director, QSTP.
The workshop was held in conjunction with the commencement of TIEP's Business Modeling and Finance module, where budding entrepreneurs enrolled in the programme are trained to create viable business models for the innovation projects they are working on.
TIEP's main objective is to harness entrepreneurial capabilities and vet innovation proposals to support commercialisation decisions of various technologies being developed at QSTP partner institutes.
© The Peninsula 2013
