Unlocking the potential of the Syrian digital space
About Us
As the Syrian conflict threatens to tear society apart, the digital space offers the prospect of bringing Syrians together. Syria Digital Lab aims to explore this space – its opportunities, risks and potential – to create an effective digital ecosystem that identifies, connects, incubates, accelerates and sustains Syrian-led digital initiatives. Syria Digital Lab brings together talented Syrian tech developers and entrepreneurs from around the world and links them with donors, civil society organisations and the private sector in a collaborative effort to that help solve some of Syria’s most pressing challenges.
Objectives:
- Identifying, connecting and supporting Syrian tech innovators and entrepreneurs
- Creating job opportunities for Syrian youth through training and mentorship
- Empowering civil society and supporting reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts
- Support policy thinking on an integrated digital agenda for Syria through research, advocacy and networking
Impact:
- Global community of Syrian tech entrepreneurs
- More Syrian mentors and role models
- Greater capacity for peace-builders and CSOs
- Enhanced data-driven policy and programming
- Laying the foundations for a digital economy
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Collaboration
Promoting a big-tent approach to the digital space by encouraging collaboration across sectors, greater networking and public-private partnerships
Disruption
Developing a digital ecosystem that can give rise to a new and innovative set of partnerships, approaches, initiatives and outcomes
Sustainability
Building in financial and environmental sustainability in digital initiatives that deliver durable, in-country impact
Inclusion
Engaging all Syrians, inside the country and in the diaspora, solely on the basis of merit to work towards shared goals that benefit the greatest number
Empowerment
Enabling Syrians to rebuild lives and livelihoods, fulfil personal and collective potential and enhance community participation
Collaboration
Promoting a big-tent approach to the digital space by encouraging collaboration across sectors, greater networking and public-private partnerships
Inclusion
Engaging all Syrians, inside the country and in the diaspora, solely on the basis of merit to work towards shared goals that benefit the greatest number
Sustainability
Building in financial and environmental sustainability in digital initiatives that deliver durable, in-country impact
Disruption
Developing a digital ecosystem that can give rise to a new and innovative set of partnerships, approaches, initiatives and outcomes
Empowerment
Enabling Syrians to rebuild lives and livelihoods, fulfil personal and collective potential and enhance community participation
Syrian Digital Lab challenges you to innovate!
Syria Digital Lab is seeking solutions from Syrian tech innovators and entrepreneurs to address key challenges facing Syrians, inside the country and in the diaspora. A team of judges will select finalists who will present to donors and investors from the Syria Digital Lab ecosystem.
Teams with winning solutions will receive support from the Syria Digital Lab community through mentorship, access to technical support, prizes and seed funding
Applicant Criteria
Syrians or Syrian co-founders, anywhere around the world can submit a solution. You can be an individual, a team or an organization.
Solutions Criteria
We seek unique and innovative tech-based, human-centered solutions that deliver measurable impact on Syrian communities. These solutions should solve any of the challenges listed here.
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Education
Challenge Details
Since the start of the Syrian conflict, millions of Syrian youth have lost access to education. Without access to education, Syrian youth will lack the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to rebuild their lives and communities. Utilizing technology to support K-12 and higher education, we are looking for solutions to help Syrians in-country and in the diaspora get qualifications and find employment.
- Solutions may include but not limited to:
- Online Education
- Homeschooling support
- Edutainment
- Virtual Tutoring
- Virtual Mentoring
- Micro Degrees
- and more
Health
Challenge Details
The aftermath of the Syrian conflict has left individuals and families with lasting physical and mental injury or trauma. For clinics or hospitals serving refugees and internally displaced populations remotely, these establishments have limited access to medical aid and resources. SDL is calling on entrepreneurs and technology developers to submit solutions to alleviate and remedy the healthcare crisis for Syrians in these communities. The proposed concepts or prototypes can range from accessibility, online mental healthcare, capacity building for medical care professionals serving in the field and other relevant Medical technology solutions.
Youth Engagement
Challenge Details
By up-skilling and engaging Syrian youth, they can become actively involved in rebuilding their conflict-impacted communities. To do this, they need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate today’s modern workforce. Those living abroad integrate into the communities they are a part of thereby acclimating them to the social and work culture. Be it an employment marketplace or an online skills training course, we are seeking solutions that will enable the youngest and largest demographic of Syrians to contribute to building a stronger nation for the future.
How will solutions be evaluated?
Our judges are experts and leaders from industries relevant to these challenges. They will consider solutions at all stages of development. Judges will use the following criteria to evaluate your solutions:
Digital Capacity:
The solution uses technology to address the challenge
Scalability:
The solution can be scaled to affect the lives of more people
Impact:
The planned solution implementation has the potential to impact lives
Feasibility:
Solution implementation is feasible and the team has a plan for financial sustainability
Employment:
The solution creates inclusive employment opportunities for Syrians in country and in the diaspora
Innovation:
Solution includes new technology, application of technology, business model or a new process
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CONCEPT
Please note that concept-stage solutions are unlikely to be selected. You have until the submission deadline to prototype and experiment with your idea!
Prototype
A venture building and testing its product, service or business model. Typically described as “pre-seed” if for profit.
Establishment
Nonprofit organizations at this stage should have a clear path to sustainability. For-profits at this stage would be “seed” or “Series A.”
Pilot
A tested product, service or business model in at least one community. Hybrids and for-profits would typically be in a “seed” round and generating revenue.
Scale
A sustainable enterprise working with communities, that is looking to scale significantly, focusing on increased efficiency. For-profits in this stage would be “Series A” or “Series B.”
Growth
An enterprise with an established product, service or business model rolled out, which is poised for further growth in multiple communities or countries.
Partnership Potential
The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the broad range of resources that Syria Digital Lab is positioned to provide.
CONCEPT
Please note that concept-stage solutions are unlikely to be selected. You have until the submission deadline to prototype and experiment with your idea!
Prototype
A venture building and testing its product, service, or business model. Typically described as “pre-seed” if for profit.
Pilot
A tested product, service, or business model in at least one community. Hybrids and for-profits would typically be in a “seed” round and generating revenue .
Establishment
Nonprofit organizations at this stage should have a clear path to sustainability. For-profits at this stage would be “seed” or “Series A.”
Growth
An enterprise with an established product, service, or business model rolled out, which is poised for further growth in multiple communities or countries.
Partnership Potential
The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the broad range of resources that the Solve community is positioned to provide.
Scale
A sustainable enterprise working with communities, that is looking to scale significantly, focusing on increased efficiency. For-profits in this stage would be “Series A” or “Series B.”
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What is the Challenge Cycle Timeline?
Challenges open on July 1, with the first round of applications due by July 31
What happens if my solution is selected?
Selected finalists will pitch to judges and a live audience. Selected solutions will be shared with prospective donors, investors and other SDL community members who offer their support.
What happens if my solution is a challenge winner?
- Your team will receive a cash prize from one of the SDL partners
- You will be inducted into the SDL incubation/acceleration programme
- SDL members will provide a one year mentorship to help you implement your solution
- You will have the opportunity to pitch your solution to a Syrian Angel Investment Network
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JUNE
June 20
All challenges announced.
Start planning your submissions.
JULY
July 1
All challenges open. Submissions are now being accepted.
July 31
Submission due date. All submissions must be completed by today!
AUGUST
August 15
Final edits must be made to any submission is the review process.
August 31
Public voting begins. Spread the word, your social outreach can help boost your campaign.
August 31
The “Selection Board” officially begins the evaluation process.
SEPTEMBER
September 15
Finalists announced! Good luck!
September 31
Pitch Day! All finalists are invited to pitch their solutions. (Practice Tips)
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Opportunities to get involved!
SDL is growing quickly and we are excited about the potential of our collaboration. We look forward to realizing the unique value your participation will add to shaping our future. We have a number of collaboration opportunities for organizations and individuals interested in helping us achieve our mission. Read on to learn how you can get involved.
Media Partners
Whether it’s promoting SDL itself, or teaching entrepreneurs to tell their stories, we are looking for media partners that can lend their time or fiscal support. SDL is seeking agencies, individuals or publishing groups with the means to mentor and educate entrepreneurs on their digital journeys. We also welcome organizations that offer media space, or consultants who can judge the feasibility of submissions.
Advocacy & Outreach Partners
SDL is calling on community members in Syria, host countries or across the wider diaspora with the means to amplify our message. Specifically, these partners help us in identifying judges, securing investors and working with policy-makers to facilitate the work we do. We appreciate interest from community organizations, civil societies, venture capital firms and individuals looking to make a difference and support mission-driven, Syrian-led digital initiatives.
Sponsorship Partners
Sponsorship partners are welcome to offer their support in a number of ways. Sponsors may want to initiate and support a particular challenge, host an event or subsidize one particular area of our work. SDL appreciates your contributions no matter how small or large. To give you an idea of our tiers we have categorized our sponsorship opportunities as follows:
Bronze: USD$1,000 – $5,000
Silver: USD $5,001 – $10,000
Gold: USD $10,001 – $25,000
Platinum: USD $25,000 or more
Technology Partners
Syria Digital Lab is committed to creating an ecosystem powered by technology. In order to ensure the digital solutions selected can operate effectively, we need partners who are willing to lend their support through services in kind. Technology partners may be software or hardware tech enterprises that can give SDL entrepreneurs access to their products, services or team mentorship. We are also looking for consultants and mentors to guide entrepreneurs as they build and implement their digital solutions.
Training Partners
Key to the success of the Syrian entrepreneur is training and mentorship. Further to on-boarding new community members, SDL offers individual mentorship, incubation, acceleration and training through its ecosystem training partners. Examples of how these partners can get involved include: hosting webinars, guiding entrepreneurs through their business development journeys, educating them on effective market research, teaching project management and even holding presentation training workshops.
For any additional questions regarding partnership opportunities, contact us at inspire@syriadigitallab.com
Please also consider working on a Challenge solution, and join our mailing list to be among the first to know about coming events, news and opportunities to engage with SDL and our Challenge solvers.
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Without the help of our partners, Syria Digital Lab could not build a technology ecosystem for Syrian entrepreneurs to solve for the Syrian community’s most pressing challenges. We appreciate the continued support of our current partners including:
This project is funded by the European Union and Germany.
Support partners:
The seamless integration between the private and public sectors is a core pillar upon which SDL was built. Syria Digital Lab thrives when donor organizations, Syrian civil societies, event sponsors, technology companies, private investors, angel investment networks, business incubators, accelerators, educational institutions, media, youth camps and the wider Syrian community come together to #Solve4Syria.