Entrepreneurship is struggling to survive during the
conflict-hit in Syria!
The conflict in Syria has inspired a new wave of innovative youths to tap into unexplored
fields, producing new ideas and embracing new business models- 17.6 percent of Syrian
youth tried to work on startup ideas on 2014; in 2015, the figure climbed to 31.2 percent.
This is one of many findings from my book “Entrepreneurship In Conflict Zones” that I
published last week to highlighting the experiences and needs of Syrian entrepreneurs
in the country during the conflict.
The book draws on data from a study examining the views and experiences over a period
of twelve months of research, during which 268 interviews were conducted with Syrians
entrepreneurs. The book also included an open discussion and series of interviews with
entrepreneurs experts as well as insights from local startups.Prior to the conflict, few
steps had been taken to assist the Syrian entrepreneurial ecosystem, which had real
potential for growth. However, after 2011, startups have faced numerous challenges that
restricted that potential.
The protracted war in Syria has exacerbated the challenges facing entrepreneurs
working to create their startups. These challenges include: insecurity and political
instability, scarcity of financial support, access to market limitation, collapsing
infrastructure, sanctions and payment restrictions, increasing economic burdens,
dwindling human skills, diminishing of the market size, unfriendly regulatory
environment, and a dysfunctional entrepreneurship education.