Flat6Labs Concludes StartMashreq, Paves Way for MENA Startup Growth

Flat6Labs has wrapped up its three‑year StartMashreq Programme with a gathering in Amman earlier this month, bringing together founders, investors and policymakers from across Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. The forum felt like a full‑circle moment for many in the region’s startup community, especially those who’ve watched the Levant’s ecosystem grow despite all the curveballs it’s been thrown. I remember chatting with a young founder from Irbid during a past Arageek workshop who said accessing regional networks felt “like climbing a wall with no ladder.” Seeing numbers like these now, you can tell that wall is finally cracking.

StartMashreq was launched by Flat6Labs in partnership with the Netherlands and backed by the IFC, with a clear mission: open real economic doors for women and forcibly displaced people, while giving early‑stage teams a proper chance to scale. And believe it or not, the programme didn’t just scratch the surface. Over 4,500 entrepreneurs took part, including more than 3,000 women and FDP founders. The participating startups generated USD 51 million in revenue and secured over USD 28 million in funding—figures that would’ve sounded a bit ambitious at the start, if I’m honest.

The event drew a strong line-up of officials, including the Dutch Ambassador to Jordan, Stella Kloth, and AbdelKader Al Batayneh from Jordan’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship. Their presence underscored how collaborative the whole effort has been, not just a one‑off initiative. As Hany El‑Sonbaty of Flat6Labs put it, the last three years showed that when founders get the right mix of knowledge, access and exposure, they can build companies that attract capital and create jobs—spot on, really.

There was also a notable reminder from the IFC’s regional director, Khawaja Aftab Ahmed, who highlighted how entrepreneurship remains a pathway to resilience in a region that’s had more than its share of volatility. His point about tapping into a young, educated population hit home, especially for those of us who’ve watched talent slip away simply because the ecosystem wasn’t ready to hold onto it.

Ambassador Kloth echoed the same optimism, emphasising that the Netherlands is committed to supporting innovation in the wider MENA region. She framed StartMashreq as just the beginning—which I reckon is true, although scaling these kinds of programmes is always a bit of a faff, you know?

With the programme officially concluded, Flat6Labs is already preparing to expand this model into other emerging markets. The idea is to replicate the same targeted interventions that helped founders in fragile environments navigate early‑stage hurdles, cross borders and tap into global markets. If they pull it off, it could be a real game‑changer for regions where entrepreneurial potential is rising but infrastructure hasn’t quite caught up. And well… I mean, considering everything that’s been achieved so far, it’s hard not to feel at least a little chuffed to bits—even if I’m usually the cautious type.

And yes, before anyone asks, the only thing I’m still not a fan of is how long it takes for such programmes to reach the people who need them most. But the momentum is definately there now, and that counts for something.

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