Case Study
Taking the LEAP:
Launching women entrepreneurs to new heights in Jordan
5 min read
•
July 3, 2025
TL:DR
DMZ led LEAP for Women in Jordan, a $824K initiative to empower women entrepreneurs.
- Challenges • Highly educated workforce with few opportunities to tap into entrepreneurship
- The solution • The LEAP initiative, guided by DMZ
- DMZ’s role • Assessed needs, designed tailored programs, trained local leaders, and built lasting support structures. Helped launch mySTARTUP incubator with local non-profit INJAZ
- Impact • 121 entrepreneurs supported, 91+ events, 30+ startups launched
- Legacy • Supporting 100 startups annually in Jordan
- Why DMZ? • Global expertise, local adaptability, proven results
The challenge
In 2022, DMZ was invited to take a leadership role in Launching Economic Achievement Program (LEAP) for Women in Jordan. This $824,000 USD initiative aimed to empower women professionally and diversify the local entrepreneurial landscape.
Women entrepreneurs in Jordan face systemic barriers to economic participation, including cultural constraints, limited access to capital, and lack of targeted business support services – all within an economy experiencing high unemployment rates.
- Despite women representing 60%+ of university graduates, women’s labour force participation remains below 15% (ILO, 2022).
- 61% of women entrepreneurs lacked basic resources and faced cultural barriers (PCEIS, 2024).
- Women founders have limited access to funding, mentorship, and business development support in Jordan.
Our solution
Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), LEAP sought to improve business opportunities and foster a more inclusive professional culture for women entrepreneurs.
DMZ brought its world-class expertise to Jordan, collaborating with INJAZ – a leading non-profit organization focused on youth education and training – to design and implement targeted entrepreneurship programming specifically tailored for women.
Our approach
- Assessment • Conducted in-depth analysis of Jordan's entrepreneurial ecosystem, identifying specific barriers facing women entrepreneurs and mapping existing support structures, resources, and market opportunities.
- Custom Design • Created a tailored program addressing women entrepreneurs' unique needs, incorporating best practices from DMZ's global experience while adapting to local cultural and economic contexts.
- Expert Implementation • Deployed business development specialists to provide hands-on guidance in financial planning, marketing strategy, and investor relations while continuously adapting the program based on participant feedback.
- Sustainability • Developed comprehensive train-the-trainer programs for local facilitators, established regular progress checkpoints, and created mentorship structures to ensure ongoing support beyond the funding period.
- Inclusion Initiatives • Implemented public awareness campaigns and gender-responsive education programs, helping to address systemic barriers and promote equitable participation in entrepreneurship
Impact Stats
121
entrepreneurs supported through comprehensive incubation
91+
training events and networking opportunities facilitated
30
business ideas developed into growing startups
Legacy and long-term growth:
mySTARTUP incubator
To ensure lasting economic impact beyond the initial program, DMZ helped establish INJAZ's mySTARTUP incubator, which continues to:
- Support 100 startups annually
- Mentor entrepreneurs aged 20-35 from across Jordan
- Provide comprehensive business development services
- Connect founders with key ecosystem stakeholders
DMZ: Your partner for unlocking entrepreneurial growth
With a proven track record of success in diverse global markets, DMZ delivers transformative entrepreneurship programming that creates lasting impact.
- Proven methodology refined through implementation in 15+ countries
- Adaptive expertise that respects local context
- End-to-end capabilities, from assessment to capacity building
- Results-driven approach focused on measurable outcomes
