As part of its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within Palestine's tourism sector, Palestine Technopark has successfully moved into the next phase of its Hike-Up program. After a thorough evaluation of the startups that participated in the Hike-Up Hackathon, 45 innovative ventures have been selected to advance to the pre-incubation stage.
The Hike-Up program is an essential initiative aimed at promoting tourism and economic growth along the Palestinian Heritage Trail, with special attention to areas like Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah. Funded by the Japan Social Development Fund and supported by the World Bank, Hike-Up equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources necessary to develop businesses that cater to tourism and preserve Palestinian cultural heritage.
Over the next three months, the 45 selected startups will undergo intensive training during the pre-incubation phase. This training will focus on business development, marketing, financial management, and prototyping, preparing the participants to refine their ideas into viable business models. After this stage, the 20 most promising startups will be selected to enter the incubation phase, where they will receive further mentorship, advanced training, and a $5,000 seed fund to scale their ventures over seven months.
By supporting entrepreneurship in the tourism sector, the Hike-Up program plays a vital role in revitalizing Palestine's tourism industry and enhancing economic opportunities for communities along the heritage trail.