Oxford Capital Partners, QNB and Ansbacher create Qatar Capital Partners

Oxford, UK, 17 April 2007

Oxford Capital Partners, Qatar National Bank (QNB) and Ansbacher have joined forces to create Qatar Capital Partners, a venture capital business focused on developing technology within Qatar. The consortium draws on the core expertise of each of the participants and has successfully bid to act as fund manager for two Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) venture capital funds.

The joint venture will manage the QSTP New Enterprise Fund and the QSTP Technology Venture Fund. These funds will invest in science and technology companies based within QSTP with the potential for significant growth. The New Enterprise Fund moves technology from the lab bench to the marketplace by supplying the seed and early stage founding capital for new businesses. The Technology Venture Fund invests in growth-stage technology companies, helping them to scale-up production and expand their technology pipeline. Both funds are pivotal in establishing Qatar as a Gulf centre for start ups in a range of fields including technology, gas and petrochemicals, healthcare, environmental engineering and new industrial processes. They mark the beginning of Qatar Capital Partners’ commitment to this area.

Qatar Capital Partners was authorised in the Qatar Financial Centre on March 29, 2007.

Edward Mott, Founder and chairman of Oxford Capital Partners, comments
“Oxford Capital Partners has extensive international experience of identifying and investing in new science and technology companies and views the current opportunity in Qatar as significant. All the shareholders of Qatar Capital Partners share the long term vision of the Qatar government and are committed to supporting investment in education, science and applied research in the growing knowledge economy. We are confident that Qatar Capital Partners can generate strong returns for the New Enterprise Fund and Technology Venture Fund whilst providing support and guidance for investee companies as they develop.”

Ali Sharif Al Emadi, Acting CEO of Qatar National Bank, added
“The contribution of Science & technology in the exponential growth of Qatar’s economy is irrefutable. It is essential for QNB to invest significantly in Qatar’s future and as part of Qatar Capital Partners, QNB is pleased to be able to contribute its deep financial expertise to the Science & Technology Park’s venture funds and future investment opportunities.”

Hugh Titcomb, Chief Executive Officer of Ansbacher Group continues
“We are delighted to be working with our parent company QNB and Oxford Capital Partners to create this joint venture which will open up Qatari technology investment to new investors. The Ansbacher group brings considerable investment expertise, experience with the Qatar Financial Centre regulators and fund raising skills to the venture.”

Information for editors

Please contact:
Joanne Telford
Oxford Capital Partners
Tel: 01865 860 760
jtelford@oxcp.com
www.oxcp.com

About Oxford Capital Partners

Oxford Capital Partners is a science and technology venture capital firm with extensive experience in investing in and supporting businesses with high growth potential. Oxford Capital Partners looks for the best opportunities, backing exceptional entrepreneurs and investing across all stages of development, from start-up to IPO. Leveraging its extensive networks, Oxford Capital Partners assists portfolio companies in accessing international markets in Europe, the US, Middle East and Asia. Oxford Capital Partners is the manager of four Oxford Gateway Funds and oversees a portfolio of over 25 companies in a range of technology sectors, including ICT, clean technologies, life and physical sciences.

Oxford Capital Partners was named Venture Capital House of the Year 2005 at the Unquote Awards.

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