As part of the Future Tech Summit 2026, the German Jordanian University (GJU) organized Startup Alley 2026 in partnership with Startup Grind Amman and in collaboration with Parachute16. The event aimed to strengthen connections between startups and investors, provide startups with opportunities to showcase their innovative projects, and explore potential funding, collaboration, and partnership opportunities.
The event brought together 44 startups, including companies from Germany and Syria, six startups from GJU’s Business Incubator Program, and three companies participating in the EDU-Syria Program. It also attracted investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives from various sectors in Jordan, Germany, Qatar, and other countries. Participating startups showcased innovative solutions in robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), health technology, and sustainable innovation.
The program featured three panel discussions. The first, titled “Inside the Investor Mindset” examined the criteria investors use to evaluate startups, including teams, markets, business models, and the readiness of projects to secure funding. The second panel, titled “The Future of Education,” explored the role of technology, entrepreneurship, and universities in developing teaching methods and fostering innovation. The third panel, titled “Dos and Don’ts of Building Startups,” focused on the practical aspects of establishing and developing businesses, including founders’ agreements, fundraising, execution of business plans, scaling, partnership building, and avoiding common mistakes.
The startup tour gave participants the opportunity to explore the showcased projects and solutions and engage directly with their founders. Meanwhile, the panel discussions provided a platform for exchanging expertise and addressing the challenges startups face during their establishment and growth stages. These interactions also helped strengthen networking opportunities among entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders in innovation, while identifying potential areas for collaboration.
The event forms part of GJU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, connect academic knowledge and expertise with market needs, and provide platforms for startups to present their solutions to investors and potential partners, supporting their growth and expansion into new markets.