Deerfield Management Announces Collaboration with QIA as Part of its Fund of Funds VC Program and the Opening of a Regional Office in Doha

• Deerfield Management to collaborate with QIA as part of Fund of Funds venture capital program
• Regional office set to open in Doha in mid-2025
• Activities to include upskilling local entrepreneurs and fostering the Qatari innovation ecosystem via a healthcare startup accelerator

, /PRNewswire/ -- Deerfield Management today announced a collaboration with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) as part of QIA's Fund of Funds program.

The partnership unites Deerfield's mission of advancing healthcare with QIA's commitment to sustaining a vibrant startup ecosystem in Qatar and the wider MENA region.

QIA's inaugural Fund of Funds venture capital program was launched in 2024 with a primary focus on technology and healthcare amongst other fast-growing sectors. The initiative is intended to boost economic diversification, support local development, and bring global best practices and capabilities to Qatar.

In support of this program, Deerfield is set to open a regional office in Doha by mid-2025. The office will seek to support the upskilling of local startups and entrepreneurs, coordinate educational programs, and serve as a resource hub for healthcare-focused ventures in the region. The partnership will foster international collaboration and champion technological creativity.

Deerfield, through the Cure, will additionally direct a healthcare startup accelerator program in which a cohort of global and local entrepreneurs will work to sharpen their understanding of business and financial modeling; learn to conduct and analyze market research; advance the development and design of healthcare products; practice delivering effective investor presentations; and more. The accelerator program will take place both virtually and on the ground in Doha and will culminate in a pitch competition wherein entrepreneurs have the opportunity to showcase their ideas to interested stakeholders.

"Qatar's rich cultural and economic environment makes the State a fertile environment for businesses to grow," said James Flynn, Managing Partner at Deerfield. "In partnering with QIA, we hope to support local entrepreneurs and help a sustainable healthcare and life science ecosystem thrive."

News of the partnership was announced at the 2025 Web Summit Qatar, an international gathering connecting thousands of entrepreneurs in the Middle East and beyond to investors, journalists, and technology professionals around the world.

About Deerfield Management

Deerfield is an investment management firm committed to advancing healthcare through investment, information, and philanthropy. The Firm works across the healthcare ecosystem to connect people, capital, ideas, and technology in bold, collaborative, and inclusive ways. For more information, please visit www.deerfield.com.

About QIA

QIA is the sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar. QIA was founded in 2005 to invest and manage the state reserve funds. QIA is among the largest and most active sovereign wealth funds globally. QIA invests across a wide range of asset classes and regions as well as in partnership with leading institutions around the world to build a global and diversified investment portfolio with a long-term perspective that can deliver sustainable returns and contribute to the prosperity of the State of Qatar.

About QIA's Fund of Funds Program  

The Fund of Funds program aims to develop a strong startup and venture capital ecosystem in Qatar, attract venture capital firms and entrepreneurs to the region, and help close the current funding gap for local and regional entrepreneurs. The program, first announced in February 2024, will place a priority focus on the tech and healthcare sectors. The Fund of Funds program has a mandate that includes delivering a positive development impact on the Qatari venture capital ecosystem. 

Media Contact

Deerfield Management: Jessica Sagers, PhD, Head of Communications, [email protected]

Qatar Investment Authority: [email protected]

SOURCE Deerfield Management Company, L.P.