SYNC Berlin Event Unites Syrian Diaspora and Tech Giants to Forge Path for Syria's Recovery
In a landmark gathering in the German capital, Syrian tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and international partners convened for the "Syrian-German Tech & Entrepreneurship Day" on June 13, 2025. Hosted at the Berlin headquarters of global technology company SAP, the event brought together over 100 key stakeholders to strategize the crucial role of technology and innovation in rebuilding Syria, marking a pivotal moment following the country's liberation on December 8, 2024.
A Blueprint for a Digital Future
The event was organized as a strategic partnership between three Syrian-led initiatives—SYNC Berlin, the Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA), and Startup Syria—with major sponsorship from SAP. Its core mission was to move beyond discussion and create an actionable blueprint for the future. Recognizing that Germany hosts the largest Syrian tech and entrepreneurial diaspora, the forum aimed to explore how cross-border collaboration, innovation, and investment can accelerate the reconstruction of Syria's digital infrastructure, economy, and institutions, shifting the focus from humanitarian aid to sustainable, long-term development.
Voices from the Frontlines and the Diaspora
A series of powerful sessions bridged the experiences of those inside and outside Syria, creating a comprehensive dialogue. The keynote session, "Rising from the Rubble – Building an Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Syria," featured inspiring and tangible stories from founders like Mohamad Asrawi of the online car marketplace Hoshblas and Karim Demiaty of Moadna.com, who are actively building businesses on the ground.
A dedicated and insightful panel on "Women in Tech" showcased the expertise and vision of prominent Syrian women in the sector, including Alia AlSaadi, Sedra Abdlbaset, Amal Abdelraouf, and Reem Alrashid. The day's discussions were further anchored by a fireside chat on "Rebuilding Through Innovation" with Gero Decker, a senior leader at SAP, who shared insights on building a global SaaS company and the role established technology can play in shaping a nation's future.
Interactive Workshops on Key Rebuilding Pillars
The heart of the event consisted of five intensive workshops and roundtables, each designed to tackle a critical theme for Syria's recovery and produce actionable insights:
AI and Deep Tech: The "AI for Syria’s Future" workshop explored how artificial intelligence and advanced technologies like medtech can be leveraged to innovate and solve complex challenges in post-conflict reconstruction.
Investment & Funding: A panel on "Startups Bootstrapping, Investment & Scaleup," featuring experts like Tarek Abusamra and Nebras Othman, provided practical advice on securing capital and scaling ventures in a challenging environment.
Diaspora Entrepreneurship: This track focused on the unique opportunities and challenges for Syrian startups founded outside Syria, with brainstorming sessions on how they can contribute to the homeland.
Employment and Remote Work: This session explored pathways for creating high-value remote work opportunities for Syria's recovery, connecting local talent with global companies.
Civil Society & Tech: This workshop examined the vital role of technology in supporting NGOs, social startups, and the rebuilding of civic infrastructure, featuring initiatives like Abjad.
About the Organizing Coalition
This powerful initiative was driven by a coalition of three Syrian-led organizations, each with a proven track record of impact:
SYNC Berlin: A high-impact platform connecting Syrian tech talent with international experts, academics, and investors. It has a stated mission of helping to create 25,000 high-skilled jobs over a five-year period.
Syrian Youth Assembly (SYA): A global organization dedicated to empowering Syrian youth through education, career development, and peacebuilding opportunities. Since its founding in 2016, SYA has impacted over 200,000 young people through more than 15 projects, supported by over $10 million in investments from international partners.
Startup Syria: A community-powered initiative founded in 2013 that supports Syrian founders, startups, and the organizations that enable them by fostering the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise between local and diaspora communities.
Looking Ahead: From Ideas to Action
The "Syrian-German Tech & Entrepreneurship Day" concluded not just with reflections, but with a clear call to action and a renewed sense of purpose. The event successfully laid the groundwork for building tangible bridges between the immense talent within the Syrian diaspora and the urgent need for development on the ground. The focus now shifts to transforming the strategies and partnerships forged in Berlin into a self-sustaining cycle of mentorship, investment, and job creation that will help define a prosperous, innovative, and tech-driven future for all of Syria.