In the last week of February 2025, a Swedish delegation of startups, corporates, and ecosystem enablers visited Web Summit Qatar to explore opportunities for joint collaboration. A highlight of the trip was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Swedish startup Graphmatech and the Qatari company AiSciA.
Sweden and Qatar have taken a significant step toward fostering deeper collaboration in innovation and technology. As part of a broader strategic innovation partnership, Swedish deep tech company Graphmatech has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qatari company AiSciA to drive advancements in materials science, sustainable AI, and industrial applications. The agreement, signed in Doha, underscores the potential for bilateral research and commercialization opportunities between Sweden and Qatar, reinforcing Sweden’s reputation as a global leader in deep tech innovation.
Graphmatech’s journey from research to global expansion
Graphmatech, a pioneering Swedish company specializing in advanced graphene materials, was incubated at Uppsala Innovation Center (UIC), a top-ranked incubator within the SISP - Swedish Incubators & Science Parks network. The company has rapidly scaled from an early-stage startup to an international innovator in sustainable high-performance materials.
Graphmatech’s cutting-edge research focuses on the development of graphene-based materials that enhance conductivity, durability, and efficiency in applications such as energy storage, hydrogen technology, and sustainable manufacturing. Their patented Aros Graphene® technology is already proving instrumental in improving battery life cycles and thermal management solutions for industries ranging from electric vehicles to aerospace.
"This agreement with Qatar marks an important milestone for us as we expand our global footprint in sustainable and high-performance materials"
"Our incubation at UIC was instrumental in developing our technology and scaling our business," says Dr. Mamoun Taher, CTO and founder of Graphmatech. "This agreement with Qatar marks an important milestone for us as we expand our global footprint in sustainable and high-performance materials. Our research into graphene applications is paving the way for breakthroughs in conductive polymers, ESD pipes, hydrogen storage and 3D printing, and we look forward to collaborating with Qatari partners to bring these innovations to market."
Dr. Fadwa El Mellouhi, Founder & CEO, AiSciA’s, highlighted the broader impact of the agreement: "This MoU is a testament to the strength of Swedish & Qatari innovation and the global potential of deep-tech startups. Graphmatech’s journey from incubation to a world-leading position in graphene technology demonstrates how Sweden’s innovation ecosystem supports cutting-edge companies and enables them to scale internationally."
Swedish Incubators and Science Parks as a catalyst for global growth
Niclas Stjernberg, CEO of Uppsala Innovation Center (UIC), emphasized the role of Sweden’s innovation ecosystem in enabling companies like Graphmatech to succeed.
"Sweden’s incubator and science park networks play a crucial role in transforming research into impactful businesses. Graphmatech’s success is a clear example of that"
"Sweden’s incubator and science park networks play a crucial role in transforming research into impactful businesses. Graphmatech’s success is a clear example of how our structured innovation support helps startups move from early-stage development to international expansion. With this MoU, we are not only witnessing a Swedish success story but also paving the way for deeper cooperation between Sweden and Qatar in advanced materials and sustainable technologies."
Strengthening the Sweden-Qatar innovation bridge
Anders Nilsson, CEO of Ideon Science Park, where many Swedish deep-tech and industrial tech companies scale up, as well as Member of SISP's board, emphasized the strategic importance of partnerships like this.
"We view Qatar as a possible gateway to the Middle East, just as Sweden can serve as a strategic entry point to the Nordic region and Northern Europe for Qatari companies."
"Sweden's innovation ecosystem has a strong global presence. Our strength lies in fostering collaborations that enable startups to scale internationally while also addressing global challenges such as sustainability, industrial transformation, and inclusive economic growth. Rooted in values of openness, equality, and trust, we believe that innovation thrives in environments where diverse perspectives come together. We view Qatar as a possible gateway to the Middle East, just as Sweden can serve as a strategic entry point to the Nordic region and Northern Europe for Qatari companies. Through our incubators and science parks, we provide a national network of soft landing hubs, allowing us to seamlessly bridge cutting-edge research with real-world applications. This partnership is a testament to that vision."
Strengthening the Sweden-Qatar Innovation Bridge
The collaboration between Sweden and Qatar is a joint effort, led by SISP and Qatar Research Development and Innovation Council (QRDI), reflecting a broader ambition to create long-term innovation partnerships.
“Qatar’s bold economic diversification strategy, emphasizing innovation-led growth, makes it a prime gateway for Swedish startups looking to expand into the MENA region."
“Qatar’s bold economic diversification strategy, emphasizing innovation-led growth, makes it a prime gateway for Swedish startups looking to expand into the MENA region. With world-class infrastructure, seamless global connectivity, and a pro-business environment, Qatar is quickly becoming a regional powerhouse for cutting-edge innovation", says Hind Zaki, Senior Program Director QRDI. Offering competitive incentives, funding opportunities, and access to top-tier talent from leading universities and research centers, Qatar provides startups with the resources they need to scale. More than just a market, Qatar is a test bed for pioneering technologies where startups can pilot, refine, and commercialize their solutions in a supportive ecosystem.”
Connecting deep tech for global impact
By connecting deep tech startups with global markets, Sweden aims to foster stronger ties between entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders in Qatar. As part of this initiative, SISPs subsidiary Ignite Sweden will organize a matchmaking event in 2025, where Qatari corporations will have the opportunity to connect with Swedish startups in key industries such as deep tech, AI, and sustainable industrial solutions. This matchmaking will be followed up with a larger-scale session at Web Summit Qatar in 2026, ensuring continued collaboration and new opportunities for Swedish and Qatari companies to engage in joint innovation projects and business partnerships.
By fostering these strategic connections, Sweden and Qatar are paving the way for a more integrated, innovation-driven future, where startups can scale globally while contributing to sustainable and technological advancements.