Six Syrian startups have officially advanced to the semi-finals of the Social Impact Prize, marking a historic achievement for the nation’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Despite joining the competition ten days after its official launch, Syria emerged as one of the most active participants, contributing over 80 applications to a total pool of 279 entries from across 15 Mediterranean countries.
Dominating the Mediterranean Talent Pool
The Social Impact Prize, supported by global organizations including Ashoka and a|cube, selected 30 teams to enter the intensive capacity-building phase. Syria’s representation is the second largest in the cohort, surpassed only by Italy. The final selection of 30 teams is distributed as follows:
- Italy: 9 teams
- Syria: 6 teams
- Spain: 5 teams
- Portugal: 4 teams
- Greece: 3 teams
- Turkey: 3 teams
The high volume of Syrian applications reflects a robust appetite for social entrepreneurship within the country, as founders seek to address local challenges through innovative digital and physical solutions.
The Semi-Finalists: A Cross-Country Snapshot
The six Syrian startups moving forward represent diverse sectors and geographic regions within the country, showcasing the depth of talent in major urban centers and smaller provinces:
- Akhdar (Damascus): Led by Riyad Khalifeh, focusing on sustainable or green initiatives.
- Deel (Damascus): Led by Rama Abdlbaset.
- Mashrou By Default (Aleppo): A project-based initiative originating from Syria’s industrial heartland.
- Resustainovation Lab (Salamiyah, Hama): A laboratory-style startup focusing on sustainability and innovation.
- Smart Hand (Aleppo): A tech-driven solution aimed at physical or digital empowerment.
- Women In Tech Syria (Damascus): Led by Dana Mheash, focused on bridging the gender gap in the technology sector.
Scaling Through Global Partnerships
The inclusion of Syrian startups in this regional program was made possible through strategic efforts to integrate the Syrian ecosystem with international Mediterranean networks. Key support was provided by Anas Anjrini, alongside partnerships with Ashoka Arab World, Ashoka Italia, and a|cube, an Italian incubator focused on high-social-impact ventures.
These partnerships provide Syrian founders with access to global mentorship and capacity-building resources that are often difficult to access locally. As the competition moves into the capacity-building stage, these six teams will receive specialized training designed to refine their business models and maximize their measurable social impact before the final round of the prize.
About Ashoka Arab World
Ashoka Arab World is the regional branch of Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs. Founded to identify and support leading social innovators, the organization provides “Ashoka Fellows” with financial support, professional networking, and a platform to scale their systemic solutions. In the MENA region, Ashoka Arab World focuses on fostering an “Everyone a Changemaker” culture, supporting entrepreneurs who are solving deep-rooted social problems through innovative, scalable, and ethical business practices.
Source: Mohamad Mkayes
