In partnership with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

With around 272 million migrants worldwide, migration remains one of the most complex global issues requiring our immediate (and continuous) action. Millions of people, forced to leave their home countries, are often faced with severe difficulties upon arrival at a new place. Poor or no access to quality education and healthcare, lack of food and housing, unemployment and documentation issues, to name just a few, are the common obstacles an individual might encounter in a foreign country. So, how can we guarantee the safety of these highly vulnerable groups while also ensuring that they have everything they need to start a new life?

The good news is that technology and entrepreneurship have already proven their worth in aiding migrants around the world through all the stages of the migration cycle. With the importance of utilizing technology, it is then necessary to provide those businesses with the right tools and opportunities for their growth. That’s why we have partnered with the Human Security Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to launch an open call for ventures working in the field of migration in MENA and Africa. The aim of the project was to support socially-driven business models in countries and regions prone to strong migration movements.

The eligible ventures had to show promising business opportunities at a local level and offer innovative solutions that reduce the vulnerability of migrants. Additionally, these ventures had to be at their seed-stage, meaning that they must have a Minimal Viable Product (MVP), initial user traction, and operate in either in English or French language. The countries we targeted were Cote d’Ivoir, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Isreal, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE.

We selected 10 companies that showed the most innovative solutions. All the ventures had an opportunity to participate in the Seedstars Investment Readiness Program, a customizable educational program that helps early-stage businesses get ready for fundraising.