Syria Build Week Concludes with Innovative AI Solutions
The first national “Syria Build Week” competition concluded this Thursday at the “Tech Town” center in Damascus. Organized by “Startup Grind Damascus” in partnership with the global software development firm “Replit,” the event highlighted the capabilities of Syrian innovators to transform ideas into technical solutions using artificial intelligence, tailored to the requirements of the local market.
Over the course of five days, the competition featured 12 projects that were selected from approximately 32 submissions by participants representing more than seven Syrian governorates. The projects addressed a wide array of technical and service-oriented sectors, including tourism, healthcare, e-commerce, legal solutions, and child protection. Each project was evaluated by a specialized jury based on rigorous criteria, including product originality, market need, the viability of the business model, and the quality of technical implementation.
Notable projects presented during the event included “Sanad,” a platform developed by student Judy Al-Kharbatli to provide technical solutions for government paperwork. The platform allows users and lawyers to identify gaps in documentation or potential fraud, while integrating with Syrian law to provide legal work drafts. Additionally, student Rania Hamza introduced “3dots,” an integrated digital platform designed to organize and facilitate tourism within Syria. The platform connects tour operators with tourists, youth, and the Syrian diaspora in one centralized location, with future plans to expand operations into Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
Shaker Amayrih, Partnerships Manager at Replit and a member of the jury, emphasized that their role was to support teams with technical grants to develop prototypes. He stressed that the primary focus was on each project’s ability to effectively address a real-world problem. Majd Lababidi, Director of Startup Grind Damascus, noted that the competition successfully provided a stimulating environment for converting ideas into viable prototypes. He confirmed that efforts will continue with the winning projects to develop them into market-ready, investable ventures.
The winning projects received initial financial support from attendees and sponsors. Moving forward, these projects are slated to receive incubation opportunities, along with logistical, legal, and training services provided through a network of partners, including the companies “Bedaya” and “Yalla Business.” This support aims to assist the founders with legal registration and marketing, ensuring these concepts evolve into successful startups capable of competing within the Syrian market.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
