News & Stories
The Startup Roadshow Kicked Off: Meet the 20 Startups Competing in Beirut
The competition for Syrian-led startups in has just started at Beirut Digital District, kicking off a 5-day bootcamp where the 2 top startups in the country will reach the semi-finals. By SWB Team The world’s first competition for Syrian entrepreneurs in the Middle East, the Startup Roadshow, has just taken off at the heart of...
The Secret to Growth Hacking, with Spacepreneur Nader Sabry
An Egyptian entrepreneur, speaker, and strategist, Nader Sabry disrupted a 1400 year-old industry with his company, Timez5, which uses NASA technology to design physiological prayer mats. In the 6th episode of the podcast, Nader dives in to the tips and tricks for growth hacking, while discussing how to stay focused and get comfortable...
Why I Came Back to the Refugee Camp Where I Grew Up
Saddam grew up in the Jerash refugee camp, in Jordan. It was from that unlikely setting that he embarked on an journey that took him to India and back to Jordan, to start a social enterprise. In the 5th episode of the podcast, Saddam dives into the principle of ‘Value first, profit second’, discussing how …...
Everything You Need to Know about Funding Your Startup, According to Migration Hub’s Ana Álvarez Monge
Ana Álvarez Monge is an unstoppable force from Costa Rica that is changing the face of entrepreneurship in Germany. In the 4th episode of the podcast, she dives into the nits and grits of funding your startup idea – especially when you are a newcomer in a new land. By Hadeel Hegazi Starting your business …...
The Migrant Entrepreneur Using Big Data to Disrupt Turkey’s Humanitarian Sector
Berat Kjamili was only 18 when he moved from Macedonia to Turkey. It was his experience as a migrant that inspired to create Migport, a startup that helps governments and NGOs better serve refugees, by using a simple principle and complex tech: Big Data. Today on the podcast, we sit down with Berat to unveil …...
Partnering Like a Pro: How EdTech Startup Natakallam Secured $600,000 in Income for Refugees
In the second episode of the Startups Without Borders podcast, we get up close and personal with Aline Sara, the founder of “Natakallam.” The EdTech startup connects language learners with refugees, leveraging on partnerships with universities like Columbia and Yale. By Rana Hafez Aline Sara came up with the idea of Natakallam as a...
5 Keys to Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset, with Ahmad Sufian Bayram
In the first episode of the podcast, we speak to Ahmad Sufian Bayram, a Syrian entrepreneur and the Regional Manager of Techstars, as he unveils the 5 crucial keys to working on an entrepreneurial mindset. By Rana Hafez Our first guest at the Startups Without Borders podcast is a social entrepreneur, an author, and …...
Re:Coded and ConsenSys Team Up to bring Blockchain to Iraq’s War-Affected Youth
The program, led by Consensys and Re:Coded, aims to support youth to enter the digital economy in Iraq, a country where over 3.3 million people have been internally displaced. By SWB Team Aiming to upskill conflict-affected youth in Iraq to enter the digital economy, Re:Coded has partnered with global leader ConsenSys to bring blockchain...
From Senegal’s Poorest Town to Creating Italy’s First Migrant VC Fund: Meet Mamadou Lamine
Having arrived to Italy at 14, Mamadou Lamine took on a big dream: He set off to build Italy’s first migrant VC fund, and raised €90.000 in just 5 months. Meet the entrepreneur behind Mama Venture. By Valentina Primo We’re sitting on a bench in a surreal setting; facing us, the Mediterranean Sea rises, dotted …...
Will This Syrian Entrepreneur Radically Change the $30 Billion Travel Industry in Turkey?
Born in Damascus, Yusuf Kabbara set off to Istanbul in 2013, where he had to learn a new language, settle in a new world, and find a job. Little did he know his experience would prove crucial in developing the “virtual tour guide” for Middle Eastern millennials. By Shadw Helal ‘’Yearly 35 million tourists travel …...
From a Refugee Camp to a $1.2 Million Investment: Tykn Raises New Funding Round
The blockchain startup, founded by Syrian entrepreneur Tey Al-Rjula, has just scored a $1.2 Million Investment from Dutch IT entrepreneur Johan Mastenbroek. By SWB Team Tykn, a tech startup founded by Syrian entrepreneur Tey Al-Rjula, has just announced an investment of 1.2 million euros from Dutch IT entrepreneur Johan Mastenbroek....
6 TEDx Talks by Refugee Founders That Will Turn Your Perceptions Upside Down
Refugee founders are not the exception to the norm. Around the world, from the Netherlands, to Australia and the USA, newcomers are radically changing the reality around them. We’ve listed 6 impactful, thought-provoking and inspiring stories, as told by their protagonists through a TEDx talk. By Valentina Primo “What was your...
Meet the Migrant Entrepreneurs Who Won Rome’s “Orizzonti Startup” Pitching Competition
By SWB Team The event gathered entrepreneurs from around the world – from Gabon, to Senegal, Russia and Iran – who came from different corners of Italy to showcase their ideas at Link Campus University. On March 28th, Rome’s Link Campus University hosted the first event for migrant entrepreneurs from across Italy, called...
He Had to Leave His Hometown in Ruins, So He Began a Startup to Rebuild the Entire Country’s Homes
The winner of the Berlin Newcomer Startup Award, Hadi Soufan is taking on the valiant mission to rebuild Syria, through a startup that assists people with the tools they need to rebuild their homes after destruction stroke. By Hadeel Hegazy History is packed with stories of countries that were plagued by war and destruction, leaving...
These 6 Syrian Startups Are Rocking the Middle East – Here’s How
Syrian startups are innovating across industries, from peer-to-peer shipping platforms to HealthTech apps, e-commerce champions and AgriTech innovators. We look into the 6 bold winners of the Startup Roadshow By Hadeel Hegazy Last fall witnessed the inception of the Startup Roadshow competition, launched by Jusoor and SPARK and in...
