Local Funding and Support Enable Qatari Startup’s Global Reach, National Impact

A Qatari startup has lauded the support and financial backing provided by key national institutions, enabling the company’s product development and driving its growth into an internationally recognised cybersecurity firm.

According to Cytomate co-founder Hamad Saleh Hadeed, the support by the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), the Qatar Development Bank (QDB), and the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council has been instrumental in advancing the company’s product development initiatives. Through access to essential resources, funding opportunities, and strategic guidance, these organisations not only helped Cytomate establish itself as a leading industry player but also facilitated the creation of innovative cybersecurity solutions, fuelling growth and recognition on the international stage, said Hadeed. 

He noted that the early-stage funding support from QSTP and QDB, as well as the assistance from QRDI Council’s Technology Development Fund, “were critical in moving from concept to product launch.”

“Without that support, we likely would not be where we are today. It came at a time when there were not many funding options for deep-tech startups in the region,” he pointed out.

Cytomate now operates from within QSTP, which Hadeed and co-founder, chief technology officer Dr Muhammad Masoom Alam, credit with helping to attract technical talent and increase confidence among clients. The company has grown to a team of more than 35 and holds several US patent applications, with two having passed technical screening. 

On the value of QSTP as a base, Hadeed said: “Being at QSTP helped change perceptions. Clients see that we are not just another startup: They see we are part of an innovation ecosystem that believes in us.”

This support has not only facilitated the creation of innovative cybersecurity solutions but has also played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and recognition on the international stage, Hadeed emphasised.

 He said Cytomate was accredited by Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) and earned Common Criteria certification for its Breach+ platform, a standard recognised by more than 30 countries, including the US, Germany, Japan, and the UK.

The company is also pursuing ISO 27001 and CREST certification and has entered into partnerships with global firms, including Microsoft, according to Hadeed, who noted that “Microsoft now relies on Cytomate to independently evaluate its technologies for certain clients in the region.” Hadeed said: “While most deployments are within Qatar, Cytomate has also signed clients in Turkey, South America, and Southeast Asia, even in the absence of a dedicated outbound sales team. Cytomate is becoming international without a single outbound sales representative. The work is generating its own traction.”

Hadeed said Cytomate has identified over 2mn vulnerabilities across client systems and eliminated more than 10,000 distinct attack types. In addition to identifying technical risks, the company advises clients on how to improve procurement, vendor oversight, and operational practices. “We are helping clients spend more wisely. 

We show them what is really working, what is not, and where their investments can deliver better security outcomes,” Hadeed further explained.

The company has developed four interlinked products: Breach+, which runs in-depth simulations against existing security tools; Racid, which monitors an organisation’s public-facing systems for exposed vulnerabilities; Sarab, which uses digital deception to detect intrusions; and Battle Twin, a platform in development that tests the resilience of operational technology (OT) and Internet of Things (IoT) environments such as those used in oil, gas, or aviation.