Jusoor and Startup Syria have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch “LAUNCHPAD,” a new residency program designed to prepare Syrian startups for regional investment. The agreement was finalized during the first edition of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Syria, marking a collaborative effort to bridge the gap between local innovation and international capital.
Building Bridges to Capital
Set to launch in early 2026, LAUNCHPAD is a 10-day residency pre-accelerator tailored for early-stage Syrian startups that have already launched a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or are generating early market traction. The program focuses on equipping founders with the specific financial models and strategic clarity needed to secure funding.
Top-performing teams from the residency will advance to a subsequent phase involving exposure visits to leading GCC capitals, including cities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. During these visits, founders will have the opportunity to meet with private and institutional partner funds, accelerators, and potential investors to secure investment for their ventures.
Closing the Investment Gap
The initiative addresses a critical bottleneck in the Syrian ecosystem: while resilience and innovation are high, investment readiness remains low. Recent data indicates that fewer than 15% of Syrian startups are fully investment-ready, with only a small fraction successfully raising capital from regional investors.
“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.”
Fostering Economic Recovery
The residency will be delivered in collaboration with regional and international investment partners who will provide specialized advisory support. By connecting Syrian founders directly with regional networks, the program aims to contribute to economic recovery and job creation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
“Many promising startups stall when it’s time to structure finances, engage investors, and scale,” noted Fadi Bishara, Chairman of Startup Syria. “With Jusoor, we’re creating a residency that prepares founders to confidently pitch and present an investable business.”
About Jusoor
Jusoor is an international non-profit organization founded by the Syrian diaspora to empower Syrian youth through education, entrepreneurship, and career development. Since its establishment in 2011, Jusoor has supported thousands of children and youth through its 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. Through research, community building, and direct support programs, it connects local and diaspora founders with the mentors, investors, and networks needed to turn innovative ideas into scalable ventures.
Source: Jusoor
