Copyright dohanews
The new Doha-based performance lab will be modeled after WHOOP’s flagship performance science center in Boston. The Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) has announced a landmark partnership with WHOOP, the Boston-based human performance company, to establish its first international performance lab in Msheireb Downtown Doha. Modelled on WHOOP Labs Boston, the company’s flagship performance science center, the new WHOOP Labs Doha will serve as a hub for advanced research, data collection, and innovation in human health and performance. The initiative marks a significant milestone in Qatar’s push to build a knowledge-based, tech-driven economy. Reflecting that ambition, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed said the Doha facility will play a pivotal role in advancing the company’s global mission. “WHOOP Labs Doha represents a powerful step forward in our mission to help people unlock their potential and extend their healthspan,” he told Doha News. “It builds on what we’ve achieved with WHOOP Labs in Boston but takes it global, anchoring our vision in one of the world’s most dynamic regions for performance and health.” The lab will focus its research on the Gulf region’s unique health, environmental, and cultural dynamics — from climate stress to lifestyle patterns — integrating those insights back into WHOOP’s wearable technology and product development. “The Gulf region has become one of our fastest-growing markets,” Ahmed added. “Our new center will help us better calibrate and support our members from the Gulf region… We plan to take that even further to improve our product.” The partnership will also enable collaboration with local research institutions and support talent development initiatives, while ensuring WHOOP’s rigorous standards for data privacy and regulatory alignment. “Data security and regulatory compliance have always been foundational to our approach,” the WHOOP CEO shared with Doha News. “We’re taking proactive steps to align with local regulations and ensure we’re properly meeting regional standards.” CEO of Msheireb Properties, Ali Al Kuwari, said that the new WHOOP lab reinforces Msheireb Downtown Doha’s position as a center for innovation in health, wellness, and human performance. With more than 15 million visitors to Msheireb Downtown Doha last year, the lab is poised to become a visible symbol of Qatar’s expanding footprint in global sports technology and human performance research. “Qatar has made significant strides in its pursuit to foster and accelerate a knowledge-based, tech-driven economy. The influx of international technology companies underscores this momentum… Our new partnership with WHOOP marks another remarkable stride in this journey,” CEO of Invest Qatar Sheikh Ali Alwaleed Al Thani said.
