In #Gaza, women see a future in high-tech startups: Gaza-based techies are helping to put #Palestinians on the map with bold start-up ideas. These young women, who have lived through four violent conflicts in the Gaza Strip, have harnessed the determination and resourcefulness demanded by daily life here into entrepreneurship. “We are not waiting for anyone anymore,” says Al-Sarraj, who graduated from Al Aqsa University just last year. They also have the added advantage that they have a much easier time getting past Israeli security than their male peers, who are often held up by extensive questioning and background checks. When a CEO from Gaza was unable to get permission in time to leave for a month-long stint at the prestigious Oasis500 accelerator in Amman, Jordan, for example, Ms. Al-Sarraj was tapped to go in his place. She came back with her own start-up idea – an online marketplace for Gaza graphic designers that enables them to hurdle Gaza’s physical and economic barriers and offer their services to the whole Arab world. At the fourth annual Start-Up Weekend run by Gaza Sky Geeks, which helps people launch high tech startups, she was among the winners of the first round. The event, held June 19-21, drew a record number of participants.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 11:23:13 +0000
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