From Jerusalem to Copenhagen, the Future of Palestinian Entrepreneurship
Copenhagen, Denmark, Nov 25-30, 2019—In an effort to boost East Jerusalem’s startup ecosystem, local Palestinian organizations Palestinian Vision (PalVision), and MENACatalyst (MC), flew to Copenhagen for a five-day eye-opening trip to learn all about the ecosystem there. The trip was made possible by Denmark-based DanChurchAid, a humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating poverty and uplifting the economic outlook of millions throughout the developing world.
The purpose of the trip was to learn about the Danish startup ecosystem and build the strategic connections with innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry partners to help establish East Jerusalem’s first-ever Innovation Hub, with the support of DanChurchAid.
A delegation from DanChurchAid, PalVision, and MC Visited the Copenhagen Business School (CBS) Student & Innovation House, where they were exposed to a world in which innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand. The Student & Innovation House links their students with world-class researchers and stakeholders to work on projects that not only innovate the way the world works, but that carries a positive social impact.
Afterward, the delegation headed over to Rockstart, one of Europe’s first startup accelerators that support a range of sectors, primarily Emerging Tech, Energy, Health, and AgriFood. The accelerator has been at the forefront of promoting corporate collaborations to help their startups gain access to the capital, markets, and network of support they need to compete in global markets.
The following day, the delegation spent the morning at the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) for an exclusive tour and series of meetings with representatives at the European Blockchain Center, a leading institution that is dedicated to tapping into the full potential of Blockchain across a range of industries and sectors. The trip to ITU included a visit to their in campus IxD Lab, which has come to be known as the center for entrepreneurs, students, and researchers alike looking to translate their ideas into workable prototypes. The lab is all about providing a space where individuals can explore and build ideas, exchange knowledge, and learn about the latest trends dominating the tech world.
After learning about the inspirational projects at ITU and their innovation labs, the delegation ended the day with an insightful meet up with reps from the Palestinian Business Network. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the growing community of Palestinian entrepreneurs, business enablers, and industry partners based across Europe, and how they are building networks of support to enhance Palestine based innovation and entrepreneurship.
The following day took delegates to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) where they received an all-access tour of the campus and learned all about the strides the university is making with their entrepreneurial launching pad, Skylab, where emerging entrepreneurs can access the resources, support, and guidance they need to launch their projects. And finally, with a trip to Space10’s Research and Design Lab, the delegation was exposed to the power of collaborations that innovate for social impact.
From startups to venture capital firms, the delegation spent the next day at the globally impactful Rainmaking, a corporate innovation and venture development firm that creates, accelerates and scales new businesses. Rainmaking’s impact extends beyond their 12 chapters as they have collectively helped build and scale over 600 tech companies around the world.
Before heading back to Palestine, the delegation’s final day was spent at Copenhagen Fintech, an organization that is dedicated to innovating the country’s financial sector to build a thriving ecosystem for all. Rounding off the day was a trip to Nabo Farm, a socially and environmentally conscious start up that is all about promoting sustainability by reducing their carbon footprint via same-day bicycle deliveries to several micro herbs that they are growing to several local restaurants.
During the trip, the delegation gained invaluable exposure into the inner workings of Denmark’s leading entrepreneurial and innovation institutions that are driving the country’s socioeconomic and global impact. With the insight and connections made, the delegation will work to enhance Jerusalem’s startup ecosystem, while fostering a new generation of changemakers in the process.
Palestinian Vision is a Jerusalem based organization that mobilizes and empowers Palestinian youth to achieve their aspirations, preserve their collective Palestinian identity and initiate youth-led sustainable development through volunteerism, social activism, entrepreneurship, lobbying, and advocacy, on a local, national and international levels.
MENACatalyst is a Palestine based non-profit working to tap into the potential of the diaspora to enhance Palestinian led innovation, industry, and collaboration on a global scale. From empowering local entrepreneurs with access to markets, business enablers, investors and mentors, to introducing the youngest generation with the power to code, MC is committed to building a resilient, virtual economy that overcomes boundaries and opens a world of new opportunities for Palestinians everywhere.