Organization · Accelerator
parachute16 | برشوت16
Parachute16 is a MENA-based ecosystem builder that supports startups through various acceleration programs and initiatives. Founded in 2015, it connects entrepreneurs, NGOs, and private sector companies to foster economic growth in the region.
Overview
What parachute16 | برشوت16 does
What parachute16 | برشوت16 is
Parachute16 is a MENA-based ecosystem builder that supports startups through various acceleration programs and initiatives. Founded in 2015, it connects entrepreneurs, NGOs, and private sector companies to foster economic growth in the region.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host and community capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Accelerator
- Founded
- Founded in 2015
- Approximate age
- About 11 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host · Community
- Last reviewed
- March 27, 2026
What Accelerator means
An accelerator is a structured, short-term program designed to speed up a startup's progress toward product-market fit, traction, fundraising, or scale.
Open the glossary entryOfficial channels
Find parachute16 | برشوت16 elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
parachute16 | برشوت16 as a funder
Investment thesis
Parachute16 aims to build a collaborative and impactful entrepreneurship ecosystem in the MENA region by supporting startups and social entrepreneurship through various programs and services.
Focus narrative
Parachute16 offers a comprehensive range of services including an Accelerator as a Service Program, which provides entrepreneurial training and mentorship through acceleration programs, boot camps, and hackathons. Additionally, the organization focuses on entrepreneurship ecosystem development and corporate innovation, helping established entities unlock their innovation potential.
Value beyond capital
Parachute16 adds value to its portfolio companies by providing access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships. The organization also facilitates networking among entrepreneurs and investors, enhancing the overall entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Regions
- MENA
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 350
Portfolio context
Parachute16 has successfully accelerated over 350 startups and scale-ups across various industries. Notable initiatives include the Ghiras Accelerator, a 12-week program focused on environmental innovation, and the Sahem Program, which promotes social innovation in Saudi Arabia through training camps and mentorship.
Capability profile
parachute16 | برشوت16 as a program host
Program thesis
Parachute16 focuses on building a collaborative and impactful entrepreneurship ecosystem in the MENA region through various programs and services aimed at supporting startups and social entrepreneurship.
Focus narrative
Parachute16 provides a range of services including entrepreneurial training and mentorship through acceleration programs, boot camps, and hackathons. They work on forging strategic partnerships and leveraging networks of founders, entrepreneurs, experts, investors, and VCs to enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Value and support
The program offers mentorship, training, funding, and workshops to startups, along with strategic guidance for corporate innovation.
Availability
- Application state
- Not published
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Accelerator
- Sectors
- Social Networks
- Regions
- MENA
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Parachute16 has accelerated over 350 startups and scale-ups across various industries, including notable initiatives like the Ghiras Accelerator, Sahem Program, and Misk Initiative Incubator.
Capability profile
parachute16 | برشوت16 as a community
Community overview
Parachute16, established in 2015, is based in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The organization focuses on building a collaborative and impactful entrepreneurship ecosystem through various programs and services aimed at supporting startups and social entrepreneurship.
Community focus
Parachute16 provides a range of services including an Accelerator as a Service Program, which offers entrepreneurial training and mentorship through acceleration programs, boot camps, and hackathons. They also work on entrepreneurship ecosystem development by forging strategic partnerships and leveraging networks of founders, entrepreneurs, experts, investors, and VCs. Additionally, they support corporate innovation through intrapreneurship programs and strategic guidance.
Member value
Members benefit from access to entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and a network of industry experts and investors. Parachute16 also provides funding opportunities and workshops through its various programs.
Membership
- Recorded members
- 350
- Pricing models
- free
Format and cadence
- Modality
- hybrid
- Schedule
- rolling-admissions
- Commitment
- light
Availability
- Membership state
- Accepting
Audience and fit
- Audience
- Founders · Students
- Benefits
- mentorship and network-access
- Program types
- accelerator, bootcamp, and community
- Selection criteria
- open
- Stages
- Seed · Seed+
- Regions
- MENA
Community activity
Events and activity
Recurring events include the Youth Impact Studio Hackathon, Ghiras Accelerator, Misk Initiative Incubator, Sahem Program, and Smart Cut Incubator, which focus on various aspects of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Notable members
Notable team members include Ghassan Halawa (Founder & CEO) and Razan Sharia (Co-Founder).
Common questions
What to know about parachute16 | برشوت16
Upseed classifies parachute16 | برشوت16 under the Accelerator organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, program host, and community capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 27, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.