In a significant milestone for the Palestinian and broader MENA tech ecosystem, FINOMENA (Female Innovators & Investors of MENA) has been honored with the Leadership in Tech award at the EQUALS in Tech Awards. The announcement took place during the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2026) in Barcelona, coinciding with International Women’s Day. The recognition highlights the organization’s “WE Women” (Women Empower Women) initiative, which has become a cornerstone for gender parity and digital inclusion in the region.
Global Recognition At Mobile World Congress
The EQUALS in Tech Awards, organized by The Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age, celebrate initiatives that bridge the gender gap in the technology sector. The ceremony was inaugurated by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, who stressed the importance of ensuring women and girls are central to the global digital transformation. Representing FINOMENA on this global stage, Nadiah Sabaneh accepted the award, sharing the journey of how a localized vision in Palestine evolved into a regional movement for female empowerment.
Driving Impact Through WE Women
The award specifically recognizes the “WE Women” program, an initiative designed to transform the tech landscape by fostering a “lift as we climb” culture. The program’s impact spans the entire professional pipeline, from encouraging young girls to enter STEM fields to providing high-level mentorship for women navigating established tech careers. By building a robust community of innovators, WE Women addresses the systemic barriers that have historically limited female participation in the MENA region’s high-growth sectors.
Empowering The Palestinian Startup Ecosystem
The journey of FINOMENA began with a focused mission to open doors for women in Palestine, a market characterized by high talent but limited access to global resources. The organization’s success at MWC 2026 was supported by Women’s WorldWide Web (W4), which sponsored the participation to ensure the Palestinian narrative of innovation was represented. This global accolade serves as a testament to the scalable nature of FINOMENA’s model, which combines capacity building with the strategic development of investment networks.
Bridging The Investment Gap
Beyond mentorship, FINOMENA is actively working to restructure the financial landscape for female founders. A core pillar of their strategy includes the formation of the first Palestinian Angel Investment Club specifically targeting female-led startups. By addressing the “funding gap” and providing financial literacy, the organization is ensuring that female entrepreneurs have the capital necessary to move from ideation to execution, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive regional economy.
About FINOMENA
Founded in 2021, FINOMENA (Female Innovators & Investors of MENA) is a non-profit entity based in Palestine that serves as a one-stop shop for women entrepreneurs. The organization focuses on building entrepreneurial mindsets, providing structured incubation for innovative ideas in emerging technologies, and establishing investment vehicles like Angel Investor Clubs. Through its five pillars—capacity building, incubation, financial investment, community support, and global visibility—FINOMENA aims to unlock the potential of women to play a disruptive and efficient role in the MENA entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Source: FINOMENA
