The Syrian Society for Startups and Research (SySSR) has unveiled a new educational series titled “Taste Your Business Idea,” authored by international business consultant and Aikido expert Feras Alhlou. The initiative is designed to empower Syrian and regional entrepreneurs by providing structured frameworks to transform professional expertise into scalable service-based startups. By blending the discipline of martial arts with Silicon Valley business strategies, the series aims to bridge the knowledge gap for the next generation of founders.+1
The Three-Ingredient Recipe for Startup Success
Central to the series is a unique framework for evaluating business ideas, drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of Ikigai. Alhlou identifies three essential components that must intersect for a service project to be viable:
- The Protein (Demand): A solution for which there is a clear and existing market need.
- The Vegetable (Experience): A domain where the founder possesses deep technical or professional depth.
- The Carbohydrate (Satisfaction): A field that provides the founder with personal fulfillment and passion.
When these elements align, a business idea moves beyond being a mere “internet recipe” and becomes a sustainable venture capable of growth.
Strategies for Problem Identification and Solution Design
The series outlines two primary methods for discovering high-potential business problems: “Organic,” where founders solve a personal pain point they are currently willing to pay for, and “Genetically Modified,” where founders pivot based on specific customer requests. Alhlou emphasizes that if a market feels oversaturated, founders should seek “The Edge”—the point where current services stop developing—to redefine the problem and offer superior customer experiences.
Optimizing Revenue and Market Entry
Beyond ideation, the series provides practical guidance on pricing and marketing. Alhlou introduces 14 effective pricing models to help consultants and service providers avoid “leaving money on the table” by undervaluing their expertise. For market entry, the series highlights the enduring power of email marketing as a “golden channel” that remains immune to social media algorithms, advising founders to build their mailing lists from day one.
About Syrian Society for Startups and Research (SySSR)
The Syrian Society for Startups and Research (SySSR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Syrian entrepreneurial ecosystem and advancing applied scientific research. Founded on the principle of “creating hope through science and work,” the society provides a platform for knowledge sharing, mentorship, and networking. Through partnerships with global experts like Feras Alhlou, SySSR works to equip Syrian founders with the tools needed to build impactful projects and foster sustainable economic development.
Source: SySSR
