Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator Opens in Qatar

Global Healthcare Startups Invited to Apply for 12-Week Program with Mentorship, Investor Exposure, and Pitch Competition

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cure, a premier healthcare innovation ecosystem headquartered in New York City, today announced the launch of the Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator, which is now accepting applications for its first cohort of healthcare startup founders interested in expanding to Qatar, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and beyond.

"At Cure, our mission is to accelerate healthcare innovation by empowering entrepreneurs to take innovative ideas from concept to cure globally," said Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure. "The Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator is an extension of that vision—equipping founders with the education, networks, mentorship, and investor visibility needed to transform promising ideas into real-world health solutions, commercialize faster and at greater scale for patients in Qatar, across MENA, and around the globe."

The accelerator will offer a 12-week hybrid learning program for up to 15 startup teams with expert-led sessions in Doha and New York City, as well as online resources. The program will kick off in New York City at Cure's The X Factor: Healthcare Innovation Summit (November 11-13, 2025) and cover topics including business models, market dynamics, valuations, negotiations, pitching, fundraising, team building, operational planning, marketing, scaling, and more. 

The program will culminate in a pitch competition in early 2026 in Doha, where entrepreneurs will present to international investors, connect with leading experts and partners, and compete for the potential opportunity to pilot a new technology in Qatar.

The Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator is rooted in a collaboration between Cure affiliate Deerfield Management Company and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) via its Fund of Funds program. The collaboration unites Deerfield's mission of advancing healthcare with QIA's commitment to fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in Qatar and across MENA.

"The collaboration between Deerfield and QIA combines global healthcare venture capital capabilities with localized ecosystem support to advance healthcare entrepreneurship in the Middle East," said James Flynn, Managing Partner at Deerfield. "We believe the Cure by Deerfield Middle East Health Accelerator will become a powerful platform and resource hub for healthcare ventures in the region."

The accelerator will select its first cohort from applications received by October 10^th, 2025. Applications are open to startups with fewer than 50 team members and preference will be given to teams that include a Qatari founder or have plans to expand into reimbursement systems in Qatar and MENA. Companies with a minimum viable product or commercialized solution that address a clear market need in digital health, medical technology, or healthcare services-based innovations and improve access, quality, or cost are encouraged to apply. Ventures may be digital-first or hybrid models that incorporate digital innovation.

"This new accelerator is designed to leverage Qatar's vibrant startup ecosystem," said Dr. Mussaad M. Al-Razouki, Operating Partner at Deerfield. "Startups will meet with key Qatari stakeholders, gain insights into the local market and regulatory landscape, and explore opportunities for regional scaling."

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://wewillcure.com/cure-by-deerfield-middle-east-accelerator.

About Cure
Cure is a premier healthcare innovation ecosystem headquartered in New York City, with a mission to accelerate cures by helping health innovators develop their groundbreaking products and services from concept to commercialization. Cure's thriving NYC campus includes state-of-the-art research and business facilities, and its digital ecosystem serves as the go-to resource for health innovators. Its dedicated content hub offers expert-driven insights, resources, mentoring, networking, and business services. The on-campus Cure Collaboration Residency companies include startups and established enterprises. Cure also hosts and convenes flagship events and conferences, bringing together thought leaders from across sectors in its premium venues, including an education center, conference center, and an iconic rooftop. For more information, please visit wewillcure.com.

About Deerfield Management
Deerfield is an investment management firm committed to advancing healthcare through investment, intelligence, 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.

SOURCE Cure