Azal is a continuous innovation program that evolves each year through challenges, competitions, pilots, and collaborations aligned with Msheireb Properties' strategic priorities and smart city needs. Doha Design District, powered by Msheireb Properties, invites solutions to urban, environmental, economic, and social challenges that can be demonstrated, tested, piloted, or deployed in Msheireb Downtown Doha.

Award categories:

• Best Smart City Innovation Award: solutions that improve Msheireb Downtown Doha through technology, services, operations, visitor experience, mobility, or data.
• Best Smart City Sustainability Award: solutions that reduce environmental impact, enhance resource efficiency, support circular economy principles, or create positive social and community value.

Timeline:

• Submissions open: 4 October 2026
• Submissions close: 4 November 2026
• Shortlisting and evaluation committee review: 11 November 2026
• Live pitching at Downtown Tech: 17 November 2026 (10 shortlisted applicants, 5-minute pitches)
• Winner announcement: 18 November 2026 at the Downtown Tech Gala dinner
• Pilot and implementation: Q1–Q2 2027

How to submit: Submissions are accepted in Arabic or English through the online form and include:

• Award category
• Solution description (max 1,000 words, PDF): how it works, readiness level and previous testing, expected impact, implementation requirements and timeline in Msheireb Downtown Doha, and estimated pilot budget and commercial model
• Applicant information: contact details, short bio(s), and the lead contact
• Optional supporting materials: feasibility notes, test results, or a video walkthrough link

Partners: Siemens (evaluation and technical mentoring) and Qatar Science & Technology Park (proposal filtering, pitch refinement, and implementation support). DDD and Msheireb Properties lead and fund the 2027 program.

• Open to everyone, subject to applicable laws and organizer requirements: startups and entrepreneurs, companies, universities and research teams, creatives and practitioners.
• The solution must address a smart city or sustainability challenge.
• The solution must be ready or near-ready for demonstration, testing, or pilot.
• Applicants must have the right to submit and present the solution.
• Concept-only ideas requiring significant early-stage development will not be prioritized.
• More than one solution may be submitted.

• Funding and support for each category winner, subject to solution requirements, technical feasibility, and required approvals (funding amount not specified in the announcement).
• A chance to have the solution demonstrated, tested, piloted, or deployed in a real smart city environment in Msheireb Downtown Doha.
• Mentoring from Siemens experts for shortlisted teams on technical feasibility, scalability, and deployment.
• Work with Qatar Science & Technology Park to refine pitches ahead of Downtown Tech, and support for selected projects through development and deployment in 2027.
• A live on-stage pitching opportunity for the top 10 applicants.