NEXUS - Awareness Activities Program

NEXUS - Awareness Activities Program

The Awareness Activities program is designed to strengthen market linkages for Palestinian startups and innovative SMEs by organizing and facilitating their participation in strategically selected regional and international awareness events. These events will serve as essential platforms for increasing startups’ visibility, expanding their investor networks, enhancing market access capabilities, and promoting the competitiveness of the Palestinian entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through this initiative, IPSD II aims to expand beneficiaries’ exposure to new markets, foster strategic partnerships, and contribute to the long-term growth of the Palestinian entrepreneurial ecosystem by encouraging knowledge transfer and cross-border collaboration. IPSD II will adopt an integrated approach that combines strategic event selection, pitching and networking opportunities, and financial support. 
 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To be considered for further evaluation each applicant firm must satisfy ALL the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be a technology or technology-enabled company, legally registered with the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy (MoNE), with an active tax file with the Palestinian Ministry of Finance.
  • Be operational for a minimum of three (3) months prior to the submission of the application.
  • The firm’s annual revenue for the previous year(s) must not exceed USD 5,000,000.
  • The proposed funded activities must have moderate to low or no environmental impact.

Note: Assistance with the registration process shall be made available to Applicants upon request.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

  • A well-defined and plausible innovation vis-a-vis its technology or business model that could do what is claimed (refer to definition below of “innovation-based” on the “Oslo Manual”, 3rd edition, 2005).
  • A viable and scalable business model, with a well-defined and plausible market and customer base (including having a defensible competitive advantage and/or market differentiator) and clear articulation of the market opportunity in one or more of the targeted regional/international markets
  • A Minimal Viable Product (MVP) with initial validated customer traction and/or generating revenue, including ability to present the business clearly (pitch preparedness)
  • The management team shall possess demonstrated leadership and relevant management experience related to the targeted markets and technologies, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
  • A first-time participant in the event; in case the applicant has previously participated in the same event, they must demonstrate a clear pivot in their business model or product or provide compelling and verifiable reasons justifying their re-participation to qualify again.

 

Make sure to check the Awareness Activities program’s overview and FAQs for additional information.