With strong impact on Iraq’s startup ecosystem, Iraq Venture Partners (IVP) successfully concluded the Scale Iraq Program, marking a significant milestone in strengthening early-stage startups and improving founders’ access to capital.
Implemented by Iraq Venture Partners and supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Scale Iraq Program delivered a comprehensive investment-readiness journey for more than 30 Iraqi startups operating across diverse sectors.
Throughout the program, participating founders received hands-on technical and strategic support, including services in legal structuring, financial management, governance, technology, business strategy, and fundraising. These targeted interventions were designed to strengthen startups’ core operations, reduce investment risk, and prepare founders to engage effectively with local, regional, and international investors.

Scale Iraq Closing Event

The Scale Iraq Closing Event opened with remarks from Mr. Bilal Rabah, Head of Country Office at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Iraq, followed by Mr. Christoph Prommersberger, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The event also featured remarks from Mr. Hady El Samra, Head of Investment and Programs at Iraq Venture Partners, and Mr. Omar Al Handal, General Partner at Iraq Venture Partners, who emphasized the collective commitment of partner institutions to supporting the Scale Iraq Program and empowering Iraqi startups through sustained collaboration, capacity building, and access to capital.
 

Participating Startups

The Scale Iraq cohort included startups operating across e-commerce, logistics, agri-tech, food and beverage, mobility, health, sustainability, and digital services. Participating startups included:
ShabShab, Maydan Farms, Lezzoo, Mosul Solar, Shopasar, Emome, Agora, Lbab Bytak, Shako Maku, Fercademy, Blyskit, AlSaree3, Jaamila, Corssy, Mercato (Cloud Markets), Sindibad, Kawenter, Healthy Pak, WonderBeauties, Teami Pro, IQ Cars, Meraki Ventures, Health 360, Eco Life, Lezan, Homele, Orisdi, Dalil Iraq, Dizli, and Dofied.
 

Regional & International Exposure

As part of the program’s market-access and investor-readiness interventions, selected startups participated in regional and international platforms, including GITEX Global, LEAP (Saudi Arabia), STEP Conference, ITEX, Web Summit, and the Bridge Baghdad Program in Saudi Arabia. These engagements enabled founders to pitch to investors, participate in curated meetings, explore regional expansion opportunities, and increase visibility within global innovation ecosystems.