Suggestions
Ahmad Bayram
Techstars Regional Manager EMEA & Author
Ahmad Sufian Bayram is a prominent social entrepreneur and startup ecosystem builder who has made significant contributions to the entrepreneurship landscape in the Middle East and Africa region. He previously served as the Regional Manager for EMEA at Techstars for 9 years.2
Bayram is known for his work in supporting Syrian entrepreneurs and refugees. Since 2012, he has been helping hundreds of Syrians gain access to entrepreneurship opportunities and build supportive environments.1 He is the author of two books: "Entrepreneurship In Conflict Zones" and "Entrepreneurship in Exile," which shed light on the experiences of Syrian founders in conflict zones and as refugees.1
In addition to his work with Techstars, Bayram has held several other notable positions:
- Entrepreneurship program manager at Jusoor
- Adviser on the Techfugees Board
- Entrepreneur in Residence at Aliqtsadi
- Mentor for various startups, non-profits, and international organizations1
Bayram's expertise has been recognized by major publications and institutions. His work has appeared in the World Economic Forum, Forbes, The Guardian, Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among others.1 He has also presented at prestigious venues such as the EU Parliament, World Bank, and Google.1
As a thought leader in the collaborative economy, Bayram's website is considered one of the first and most prominent blogs in the Arab World tackling this topic.1 His contributions to the field have earned him several accolades, including being ranked #27 in the world's top websites about Syria by Feedspot.3
Highlights
What an incredible week it’s been!
We've just wrapped up hosting an inspiring Blackbox Elevate that brought together 20 directors from across the MENA region, along with more than 15 remarkable speakers. This gathering was more than just a program—it was a powerful exchange of ideas, stories, and lessons that touched everyone in the room.
To each and every director who took time out of their incredibly busy schedules, thank you for your passion, energy, and openness. You came not only to learn but to collaborate, and that’s what made this experience so special. Thank you, Bijan Azad Faten Aissi Zeineb Messaoud Huda Tahboub Majd Khalifeh Dina Batshon Sarah Sidani, PhD Samar Dani Rita Chemaly Nadim Khlaif, CMA Majd Froukh Walaa Samara Ichraf Jarray Amira Akacha Majdi Hassen itidel chaari,MBA.
And to the amazing speakers who shared their wisdom with us—thank you for the time, insights, and guidance you offered. Your contributions have sparked so much innovation and energy that will ripple through the work of these organizations for months and years to come. Thank you, Prof. Rudy Aernoudt Laura Lecci Florian Sora Yves Carbonnelle Laura Di Santolo Fatemeh Jailani Sara Seganti Clara Maspons Timothy Motte Zad Sleiman Laura Di Santolo Michel Duchateau Erik Parigger Mike Sips Stephan Kuester Sama Siddiqui
Here's to the friendships built, lessons learned, and impact that will extend far beyond these four days. We can’t wait to see the effect you will have on your local ecosystem.
Special thank you to our partners at the European Union and Stichting SPARK (Simon van Melick Samira Wiemers Randa Awad, and to my colleagues Fadi Bishara and Naeem Sayes for making this event possible.
