Orange Jordan has officially opened applications for the fifth edition of its “Inspiring Change” Award.
Backed by Capital Bank and the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (int@j) under the SHETECHS Women Economic Empowerment Unit, the initiative aims to fund and highlight women-led startups operating in the local tech sector.
Quick Facts
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Fifth edition of the women-focused tech startup award.
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Cash prizes range from JD 1,000 to JD 3,000.
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New JD 2,000 prize added for sustainable digital solutions.
Funding Female-Led Digital Innovation in Jordan
Organized to coincide with International Women’s Day, the 2026 edition continues a structured effort to close the funding and visibility gap for female founders.
The competition offers non-dilutive capital to top-performing active startups, awarding JD 3,000 to the first-place winner, JD 2,000 to second place, and JD 1,000 to third place.
In a first for the program, organizers have introduced a dedicated JD 2,000 prize to recognize the most innovative project tackling sustainable development challenges.
Eng. Rana Al Dababneh, Chief Corporate, Internal Communications, & Sustainability Officer at Orange Jordan, noted that the award has operated as a core platform for female empowerment since its 2022 inception.
“This contributes to inspiring ambitious women and enhancing competitive opportunities for women-led projects in the Kingdom,” Al Dababneh stated, highlighting the program’s focus on elevating entrepreneurial projects in the digital field.
Strategic Backing for Inclusive Growth
The award relies on strategic partnerships to amplify its reach across the Jordanian tech ecosystem.
Capital Bank returns as a key supporter to drive broader economic participation among female tech leaders.
Touleen Barto, Chief Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer at Capital Bank, emphasized that the collaboration reflects a shared goal to enable women entrepreneurs, particularly in high-growth digital areas, supporting their digital transformation achievements and overall economic growth.
Zain Asfour, Head of the Women Economic Empowerment Unit at SHETECHS, pointed to rapid global technological advancements as a key driver for the initiative.
“The digital world is currently witnessing unprecedented accelerations driven by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and emerging technologies,” Asfour said.
She added that empowering women in this vertical is a strategic priority to secure inclusive growth and bolster the national economy’s competitiveness.
Eligibility Requirements for Startups
Interested founders have until March 31 to submit their applications.
To qualify, the applicant must serve as a founder, a 50% co-founder, or the CEO/Managing Director of an active startup registered in Jordan.
Additionally, the startup must maintain a workforce that is at least 25% female.
The selection committee will evaluate companies based on their competitive edge, innovation, growth potential, and measurable positive impact on society and the environment.
About the Inspiring Change Award
Launched in 2022 by Orange Jordan, the Inspiring Change Award is an annual startup competition designed to accelerate women-led digital companies. In partnership with Capital Bank and int@j, the program provides non-dilutive cash prizes and visibility to female founders advancing scalable tech products and sustainable solutions across the Jordanian market.
Source: My Startup World
