The Makani Incubator, in collaboration with Mena Catalyst, recently hosted the final demo day for its inaugural Makani Startup Weekend. The program was designed to empower emerging entrepreneurs by helping them develop their projects and sharpen their skills in pitching to investors and industry experts, paving the way for their transition into scalable, high-growth startups.
Fostering Local Innovation
The event was inaugurated by Issa Kassis, the Mayor of Ramallah, who welcomed attendees and emphasized the critical role such programs play in enhancing the capabilities of local entrepreneurs and fostering their creative ideas. He commended the intensive two-day training provided by Badr Al-Hadhoud, which prepared participants for their final presentations.
The Mayor also extended his gratitude to Mena Catalyst for its support and to the distinguished judging panel, which included businessman Hani Al-Alami, expert Mahmoud Al-Natsheh, Safa Ayad, co-founder of the “Foras” platform, and Dr. Safaa Al-Dweik, Director of GIS and IT at the Ramallah Municipality.
A New National Award for Entrepreneurs
Mahmoud Nazzal, Head of Economic Empowerment, Inclusion, and Impact at Mena Catalyst, highlighted his organization’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and startups through various initiatives, including the SEED program backed by the Palestinian diaspora, which aims to contribute to national economic development.
In a significant announcement, Nazzal unveiled the “Palestine National Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.” The winners from the Makani Startup Weekend have automatically qualified to compete for this prestigious annual award, which carries a prize of $10,000.
Spotlight On Winning Ventures
During the demo day, ten entrepreneurs presented their diverse projects to the judging panel. Following deliberations, three ventures were selected as the top performers:
- Pro Order: Founded by Jad Dawani.
- Strawberry Farm: Founded by Bayan Lahlouh.
- Students’ Hub: Founded by Lana Abu Ain.
These three winning startups will now advance to compete for the newly announced National Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
About Makani Startup Weekend
The Makani Startup Weekend is a collaborative initiative between the Makani Incubator and Mena Catalyst aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial talent and strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Palestine. The program is set to continue over the next two years, providing ongoing support for promising new ventures and aspiring founders.
Source: Makani Incubator
