Jusoor’s ‘Championing Women in Business Leadership’ project is dedicated to tackling the distinct obstacles encountered by Syrian women entrepreneurs during the initial stages of launching their companies in the Middle East. Building on their innovative ideas and technical expertise, Jusoor’s intervention will empower a critical decision-making moment for many Arab women founders when growing from startup to ecosystem leaders. We will help bridging the opportunity and societal support gap through opening key doors to top-tier (1) leadership coaching, (2) business infrastructure experts, (3) role models and mentors, and (4) pre-seed funding.
According to a study of 300 companies, investments in companies with at least one women founder outperform all-men founder teams by 63%.
Women-only interventions occasionally face skepticism for the potential reinforcement of stereotypes of women needing special assistance; resistance to changing traditional gender norms; or misconceptions that such programs are necessarily ‘anti-men’. However, Jusoor’s intervention responds to data that simultaneously indicate that women entrepreneurs have exceptional talent and market performance, while also facing unique barriers to establishing themselves as leaders in the current environment. Indeed, significantly more women are now engaged in entrepreneurship, however only a small proportion have had the opportunity and support to become full-fledged business leaders in the MENA region.
According to Forbes Middle East, women-led businesses make up less than 5% of the MENA's total businesses, compared to a global average of 23% to 26%.
Jusoor seeks to bridge this gap. Over the duration of several months, we will provide support to Syrian women startup founders and co-founders. Through an in-depth 1:1 needs assessment, each leader will receive tailored 1:1 sessions with business experts and consultants; leadership group coaching sessions; networking with other Syrian founders, and have exclusive opportunities to meet and engage with well-known Arab women CEOs and Founders. Selected participants will also submit a business plan for a cash prize in pre-seed grant, to help grow their businesses and secure investments.
Leadership training & workshop coaching sessions curated for MENA Women Entrepreneurs focuses on skills that effectively address challenges in both business and society in the region, including Public Speaking and Voice Coaching, Networking Skills, Negotiation, Conflict Management and Resolution, Navigating Social and Gender Biases, Harmonizing Family Commitments, Advocacy, Time Management, Business Psychology, Analytical Problem Solving, Self-Efficacy, and Mental Health. In parallel, 1:1 business sessions will focus on supporting women-led startups from the business angle.
Our project’s distinctive trademark is Jusoor's holistic approach and creation of the multiplier effect through peer support. The project’s ultimate goal is to strengthen women’s leadership skills, mindset and network in business, and in doing so pipeline women-led businesses to the region’s accelerators and sustainable success in the MENA region and beyond.
