Catalyst Bootcamp
About This Programme
A 7-day hands-on immersive training that equips emerging community leaders across Syria with the tools to activate local startup ecosystems.
Startup Syria Catalyst Bootcamp: Empowering Local Startup Leaders
Catalyst Bootcamp is an intensive online program designed to prepare 40 local community leaders from across 20 Syrian cities and provenances to become active catalysts for startup ecosystem recovery in their regions.
The bootcamp focuses on turning these individuals into ecosystem enablers, people who know how to gather others, create momentum, and help founders take the first steps.
Programme Details
Date: 20-27 September, 2025
Category: Community
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Program Status
Registration closed
Program Outcomes
40
trained community catalysts equipped with facilitation, outreach, and ecosystem tools
20+
local Startup activities implemented across diverse cities and towns
New entry points for underserved communities into the language and logic of entrepreneurship
Micro-stories and reports from the ground
What this program aims to achieve
Equip Local Catalysts, Not Just Event Hosts
Build the confidence, language, and skills of +30 selected community leaders to act as credible, consistent connectors in their cities, even without access to formal infrastructure.
Create Activity Without Waiting for Institutions
Enable each participant to design and implement at least one local startup-related activity, using minimal resources, local trust, and practical frameworks.
Foster Inclusion Where It's Most Absent
Ensure direct participation from women, youth, displaced persons, and neglected areas often left out of national conversations on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Generate Ground-Level Insight
Turn each activity into a data point: Stories, quotes, observations, and local patterns that help shape Startup Syria's strategy and the broader ecosystem narrative.
Build the Muscle for a Post-Conflict Ecosystem
Strengthen Syria's capacity to grow its startup scene from the inside out, by activating people, not just platforms.
Programme Trainers
Amjad Janbaz
Firas Al Jarrah
Ehab
Ahmad Murtada
Muhammed Alp
Saleem Najjar
Fadi Bishara
Salam Al Nukta
Participants
Muhammed Alp
Saleem Najjar
Fadi Bishara
Fadi Bishara
Fadi Bishara
Fadi Bishara
“This program brought clarity to how I can most effectively run a Venture Capital firm, more so than any blog, book, mentor, or past experience ever could.”
Youssuf
Participant in Programme
Gallery
Selection Process
Open Call & Applications
Applicants fill out a detailed form capturing their motivation, local context, and ability to engage others
Review Against Selection Criteria
All applications will be reviewed by Startup Syria based on clear criteria: Community reach, Geographic & social diversity, Previous involvement in Startup Syria (if any), etc
Introductory Onboarding Session
Selected participants will be invited to a short online orientation session
Participant Kit Distribution
Each confirmed participant will receive a digital toolkit including: a short Catalyst Playbook and a program agenda
Bootcamp Launch
The 7-day Catalyst Bootcamp will begin on the scheduled date, delivered fully online. Each day includes a focused expert session followed by peer learning and reflection