Ibtikar Fund recently concluded its first-ever “Build Week” in partnership with Replit, marking a significant milestone for the Palestinian tech ecosystem. The week-long intensive sprint challenged 65 teams to move from ideation to a fully functional product in just seven days. The initiative culminated in a Demo Day where 11 finalist teams presented live, “shipped” products to a panel of expert judges, proving that access to advanced AI tools can bridge the gap for builders, including many who had never written code prior to the event.
A Showcase Of Palestinian AI Innovation
The competition focused on solving real-world problems through agentic AI and localized software solutions. Unlike traditional hackathons that often stop at “pitch decks,” the Ibtikar Fund x Replit Build Week required teams to demonstrate live, working versions of their software. The following companies were recognized as the top performers of the cohort:
| Rank | Company Name | Solution Description |
| 1st Place | Mind Research AI | An AI tool connecting to PubMed that scores and summarizes medical literature to help doctors and researchers stay current efficiently. |
| 2nd Place | Veritas | An agentic AI system that validates the accuracy of citations in academic papers, scoring references to ensure scientific integrity. |
| 3rd Place | Murshidly | An AI-driven mentorship marketplace specifically built for the Arab world, featuring localized payments and skill-based matching. |
| Honorable Mention | Insaf | An intelligent aid distribution infrastructure for Gaza that tracks collection history and matches aid to family needs while operating offline. |
Expert Jury And Global Recognition
The finalists were evaluated by a prestigious panel of judges, including Shaker Al Amayreh (Replit), Habib Hazzan (Ibtikar), Majd Khalifeh (Flow Ventures), Huda Tahboub (Intersect), and Khaled Abu ElKhair (Flat6Labs). The top three winners were awarded a combination of Replit credits and Pro plan subscriptions to continue their development. Furthermore, these teams will be featured in Replit’s global “User Stories,” providing them with international exposure to millions of developers and potential investors.
Empowering The Next Generation Of Builders
The initiative saw overwhelming interest, receiving over 400 applications from across Palestine. By narrowing the field to 65 teams and eventually 11 finalists, Ibtikar Fund has identified a new wave of technical talent capable of building high-impact startups under extreme constraints. This partnership highlights the potential for AI to act as a Great Equalizer, allowing founders in emerging markets to build sophisticated global solutions at an unprecedented pace.
About Ibtikar Fund
Ibtikar Fund is a venture capital firm that invests in Palestinian tech startups with regional and global potential. The fund provides more than just capital, offering hands-on support, mentorship, and access to a global network of partners. By fostering an environment of rapid experimentation and excellence, Ibtikar Fund aims to position Palestine as a resilient hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the MENA region.
Source: Ibtikar Fund
