The first edition of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Syria 2025 culminated on November 30, marking a major milestone for Syria’s rebuilding through its growing entrepreneurship and innovation scene.
Organized by Startup Syria and licensed by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), GEW Syria 2025 took place between November 25 and 30, 2025, in various Syrian cities and online. Jusoor was a strategic partner in the event, participating in panels, workshops, and networking.
Under the theme #TogetherWeBuild, the event shines a spotlight on the next generation of Syrian entrepreneurs with a focus on early-stage startups, women-led ventures, technology, and AI. Activities throughout the week included panels by industry leaders, workshops, roundtable discussions, networking opportunities, and an awards ceremony.
GEW Syria included 92 events, in 23 cities and towns, over 100 speakers, and 40 local partners.
Sharing our Vision & Expertise
Our Board of Trustees member and Media Strategist, Dania Ismail, sat on Global Entrepreneurship Week Syria’s opening panel. Titled ‘Strategic Partners Panel: Bridges for Syria’s Startup Future,’ the session included panelists from Mercy Corps, Near East Foundation, Sanad Youth, and alBaraka Bank.
The conversation included discussing opportunities for startups in Syria, where the gaps are, with each organization sharing its approach to address these gaps. Dania Ismail introduced Jusoor’s eleven-year-old Entrepreneurship Program, which has been operating in countries with a large concentration of Syrian diaspora. She also shared our plans for the future inside Syria, which are focused on investment readiness and helping Syrian startups access our global network for investment opportunities.
Dania Ismail also sat on the panel ‘Unlocking Capital for Syrian Entrepreneurs’ along with Fady Bishara, founder and CEO of Blackbox, and Hesham Zreik, founder and CEO of FasterCapital, and was moderated by our Head of Career Development and Entrepreneurship Programs, Mostafa Hamdy. The panel discussed what investors look for in startups and how to prepare to pitch to investors. They also discussed the infrastructure needed in Syria generally, such as banking systems and legal systems, to encourage investment in Syria.
Our involvement at GEW Syria did not end at the panel discussions. Mostafa Hamdy also participated in a roundtable discussion as a main speaker on Addressing Syria’s Entrepreneurship Skills Gap. Business modeling, financial literacy, digital skills, and market exposure were among the gaps we see. Mostafa shared how we have been, and will continue to address these gaps throughout our programs, including: providing hands-on training targeting investment readiness, mentorship opportunities, long-term support, and expanding our reach to rural, low-income, and marginalized youth.
It was our honor to take part in presenting the Organization of the Year Award to Sanad Youth for their outstanding contribution to support Syrian youth in this moment of change.
Building Together Towards a Bright Entrepreneurial Future in Syria
During the event, Jusoor and Startup Syria signed a memorandum of understanding to bring forward “LAUNCHPAD: Startup Syria x Jusoor Investment Readiness Program Residency.”
Starting in early 2026, LAUNCHPAD is a 10-day residency Pre-Accelerator Program designed for early-stage Syrian startups that have already launched a minimum viable product (MVP) or are generating early traction in the market. Top-performing teams will then take part in exposure visits to leading GCC capitals, meeting private and institutional partner funds and accelerators to secure investments in their businesses.
According to recent data, fewer than 15% of Syrian startups are fully investment-ready, and only a small fraction have successfully raised capital from regional investors; these are gaps the Launchpad Residency aims to close. Unlike introductory entrepreneurship programs, this initiative will focus on investment readiness; selected startups are to confidently approach investors, refine their financial models, and position their ventures for scalable growth and cross-border exposure.
A Celebration of Syrian Resilience
Our strategic partnership with Startup Syria for GEW underscores a fundamental belief: Syrian entrepreneurs are not just building businesses; they are building the future of Syrian tech and innovations for this new era. They are developing solutions to local and global challenges, creating jobs, and driving economic resilience. By providing them with a structured platform, expert networks, and opportunities, we are investing in a narrative of creation and hope.
Jusoor is immensely proud to have been a strategic partner in this historic first edition. We extend our deepest gratitude to Startup Syria, every speaker, participant, and supporter who made this week a resounding success.
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