Muscat: Building on its unwavering efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape, foster innovation, and invest in national capabilities, Oman Investment Authority (OIA) has launched “Hamat” program in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, as part of the “Idea Makers” initiative and within the framework of “Together Forward” forum. Through “Hamat” program, OIA seeks to harness the potential of Omani youth, residents, startups, SMEs, innovators, and entrepreneurs to address pressing challenges raised by OIA companies, empowering them to create projects with lasting economic and social impact.

The program offers a comprehensive journey across three main tracks. The first, the Governorates Track, is designed to showcase and elevate the tourism potential of Oman by encouraging the creation of innovative tourism experiences. This track aims to strengthen the cultural and economic role of each governorate, while contributing to sustainable local development. The second track focuses on real-world challenges faced by companies, particularly in key sectors such as energy, logistics, and tourism. The third track is academic in nature, targeting students, researchers, and academics, and fostering collaboration with academic institutions, private sector entities, and entrepreneurs. This track aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and market demand through the development of innovative and practical solutions.

The program will be rolled out in four phases. The first phase will take place from 1 to 27 January 2026 and will include a series of orientation tours across Oman’s governorates to introduce the program and the specific challenges. Participants will receive support in developing and submitting their ideas through a series of workshops facilitated by experts from OIA companies and the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem. The second phase, scheduled from 1 to 5 February 2026, will feature an intensive bootcamp that covers essential topics such as problem framing, solution development, business model design, and the fundamentals of prototyping. The third phase will coincide with the “Together Forward” forum on 8 and 9 February 2026, during which shortlisted projects will be presented and recognized for their contributions to the national economy. The final phase will focus on incubating outstanding ideas for up to nine months, giving them the necessary support to be developed into economically viable and nationally impactful ventures.

Oman Investment Authority encourages youth to participate in “Hamat” program and register via the website hamat.oia.gov.om. Additionally, the program guide is available for detailed information on the main tracks and challenges. The program allows each participant to select the challenge most aligned with their interest, attend the orientation sessions and workshops, and submit their project ideas for a chance to join the bootcamp and present their solutions to a panel of judges during the final stage. This initiative reflects OIA’s commitment to nurturing innovation, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and supporting national development priorities in alignment with Oman Vision 2040.

Register through: hamat.oia.gov.om