Zahra Shah

I've been working in startups and emerging markets for over 8 years, with a focus on growing tech ecosystems in Palestine and Iraq. I truly believe that Iraq can provide valuable opportunities for businesses looking to launch or expand here, and i'm interested in supporting others who want to venture to a country that people are traditionally skeptical to pursue. A big part of this is to change the current perceptions of Iraq through quality content by highlighting some of the everyday success stories that are overshadowed by other news.

5 Tips For Organising A Hackathon In Iraq (And Other Post-Conflict Regions)

As part of the Iraq Technology and Entrepreneurship Alliance, I had the opportunity to lead the country’s (and possibly the Middle East’s) largest hackathon: the Iraq Innovation Hackathon. Five cities. 48 hours. 300+ attendees. Tackling local and nationwide challenges with on-the-ground solutions. For most participants, it was their first ever hackathon and a huge learning curve […]Read More اقرأ المزيد

Another 8 Startups In Iraq You Should Know About

Since our previous article, 10 Technology Startups in Iraq You Need to Know About, we wanted to introduce you to another amazing eight startups making waves in the country’s tech scene. From fintech and tourism to the medical field, these startups in Iraq have overcome significant challenges to launch their businesses and are constantly striving […]Read More اقرأ المزيد

Kirkuk’s First Tech Hub Has Launched

Co-working spaces and tech-focused activities are still new in Iraq, with most major cities missing its own version of a Google Campus. Recent developments in Erbil, Baghdad, and Suliymaniya show the beginnings of the co-working space movement. Now, Kirkuk also has its own hub. Kirkuk is generally known as an oil-rich, yet a politically contentious […]Read More اقرأ المزيد

The UN Agency Using Microwork To Empower Refugees In Iraq

Almost a year has passed since the launch of WorkWell. The one-of-a-kind program was initiated by World Food Program’s Tech for Food (T4F), in partnership with the Preemptive Love Coalition and operates in the North of Iraq. WorkWell is a technological space where students can venture into entrepreneurship, programming, and freelancing. The program targets refugees and displaced persons […]Read More اقرأ المزيد

Syrian Startup Shiffer Wins At Amsterdam Ignite

Civil engineer Azhar Al Madani co-founded Shiffer in March 2018 after facing issues obtaining his daughter’s birth certificate from Syria. The Erbil-based startup is a logistics platform that connects people wanting to ship items and documents with travelers. In return, travelers get paid to deliver documents to their destination. The process is reliable and considerably […]Read More اقرأ المزيد

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