At Global Entrepreneurship Week Syria’s first edition, which is taking place across more than 18 Syrian cities and online from 25 to 30 November, Jusoor and Startup Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding to bring forward “LAUNCHPAD: Startup Syria x Jusoor Investment Readiness Program Residency,” bringing together two leading organizations committed to empowering Syrian entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive economic recovery through innovation and cross-border collaboration.
Launching 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.
“LAUNCHPAD goes beyond basic training by focusing on what founders need most: investment readiness and access to capital,” said Dania Ismail, Media Strategist and Board of Trustees Member at Jusoor. “Syrian entrepreneurs have the ideas and resilience; this program gives them the tools and networks to grow.”
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.
“Many promising startups stall when it’s time to structure finances, engage investors, and scale,” said Fadi Bishara, Chairman of Startup Syria. “With Jusoor, we’re creating a residency that prepares founders to confidently pitch and present an investable business.”
The LAUNCHPAD Residency will be delivered in collaboration with a group of regional and international investment partners in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, who bring deep expertise in venture capital and development, investment, and market expansion. These partners will contribute through specialized advisory and access to regional investor networks, ensuring founders receive comprehensive support throughout their fundraising journey.
This initiative contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth) by supporting job creation and entrepreneurship-led recovery, while also engaging the Syrian diaspora in regional economic development.
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About Jusoor
Jusoor is an international non-profit organization that empowers Syrian youth through education, entrepreneurship, and career development. Founded in 2011 by the Syrian diaspora, Jusoor has supported over 18,000 children and youth through its four core programs, building bridges of opportunity for a brighter future.
About Startup Syria
Startup Syria is a founder-focused organization established in 2013 with the mission of enhancing the Syrian entrepreneurial ecosystem at all levels. Through programs, research, and community building, Startup Syria connects local and diaspora founders with mentors, investors, and networks to help them turn ideas into ventures that power national recovery.
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