Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG):
An initiative of international humanitarian aid agency Mercy Corps is the leading tech hub and incubator in Gaza City, supported by Google, Techstars, 500 Startups, Microsoft, and others.
GSG launched Palestine’s first full-stack coding academy, an online freelancing academy, and a pre-seed startup accelerator. GSG also runs a co-working space and hosts workshops and educational events for the growing tech and business community in Gaza.
Typically, only journalists and humanitarian agencies can get in and out of Gaza since the borders are closed. However, Gaza Sky Geeks occasionally facilitates visits by obtaining permits for international technology and business professionals to volunteer at GSG for a week of intensive mentorship.
If interested in this opportunity, please learn more about GSG’s programs on their website and complete a mentorship application at www.gazaskygeeks.com/mentor
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Gaza Sky Geek's last fundraising campaign was supported by a number of leaders in the tech industry:
Marc Benioff: Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Salesforce
Brad Feld: Managing Director, Foundry Group
Paul Graham: Co-Founder, Y Combinator
Eric Ries: Entrepreneur and author of The Lean Startup
"If you have any doubt that near-universal access to tech is helping a new generation take control of their own lives, solving problems and building opportunity from the bottom-up everywhere — that “near-universal” means it’s not a phenomenon of the elite, but unleashing talent anywhere it resides — come to Gaza."
- Recode
Read testimonials by others who've gone to mentor and teach in Gaza
The display of raw talent combined with passion for tackling real life problems is exemplary for other countries in the region. The high energy and entrepreneurial spirit Gazans bring is charged with excitement and determination - it's contagious!
- Asim Janjua, Designer, ex-Googler, Acumen Fellow
I spent eight days in the Gaza strip in Palestine. There, I mentored Gazan entrepreneurs, taught workshops, and got to judge in Gaza’s first ever hackathon....I had a wonderful time in Gaza in no small part to the hospitality Gazans gave me when I was there. I do want to return again some day.
(Read more)
- Bay Area based Software Engineer, GSG mentor
Mentoring startups in Gaza is an eye-opening once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I walked away with a new personal understanding of a misunderstood place.
- Taylor Valore, Product Manager at Agoda, former VC
