Do you have an existing business? Are you ready to expand it? What are you waiting for! The opportunity is now within reach!
Your opportunity to take your business beyond borders and expand into regional markets starts with the NINJA2 Project , Join the program today and take the first step toward expanding your business regionally.
About NINJA2 (Next Innovation with Japan)
This program aims to support Jordanian startups that are seeking to expand into neighboring fragile and conflict-affected markets, including Syria, Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), and Lebanon.
Implemented by TTi with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the program helps startups prepare for regional expansion through specialized training, tailored mentorship, expert guidance, market access support, networking opportunities, and business development services.
The program focuses on strengthening startups’ readiness to enter new markets, understand local opportunities and challenges, build strategic partnerships, and develop practical expansion plans.
It also supports selected startups in validating their solutions through cross-border Proof of Concept (PoC) pilots. By enabling innovative Jordanian startups to grow beyond their home market, the program seeks to contribute to sustainable business growth, regional collaboration, and broader economic impact across fragile markets in the region.
Who Can Apply
The program targets Jordanian startups that:
- Be legally registered as a business.
- Have been operational for at least 2 years.
- Offer a technology-based or technology-enabled product or service.
- Have an existing product, service, MVP, or operational solution beyond the idea stage.
- Demonstrate revenue traction, active users, paying clients, or clear market validation.
- Show strong relevance to the needs and opportunities of the target markets.
- Have the capacity to expand regionally through remote or local partnership-based models.
- Have a committed team with at least 2 active team members able to participate in and follow up on the program activities.
- Be willing to participate in the program activities, including training, mentorship, market access support, and potential Proof of Concept (PoC) implementation.
Program Timeline
Applications & Outreach: Eligible startups can apply to the program, learn about its stages and requirements, and participate in information sessions before the selection process begins.
First Selection: Eligible startups are reviewed and evaluated based on their readiness, team capacity, and potential for regional expansion. From all applications, 15 startups are selected to join the program’s first stage.
Training & Tailored Mentorship: Startups receive targeted training and one-to-one mentorship to strengthen their business models and prepare for regional expansion and Proof of Concept (PoC) implementation. This stage focuses on turning ideas into clear, actionable implementation plans.
July – August 2026
Applications and Outreach
August 2026
First Selection
August – September 2026
Training and Tailored Mentorship
September 2026
Second Selection for Proof of Concept (PoC) Support
September 2026 – January 2027
PoC Implementation
January 2027
Pitch and Networking Event
FIRST INFO SESSION
TTi will host an 1st information session for Jordanian startups and SMEs interested in applying to the NINJA2 / ScaleUp Regional Startup Expansion Program.
The session will introduce the project scope, eligibility criteria, selection process, target markets, support provided, and application steps.
Session Details
Date: Monday, 20 July 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: TTi Office
Registration: Click Here
We encourage interested startups to attend the session before submitting their application.
SECOND INFO SESSION
TTi will host the 2nd information session for Jordanian startups and SMEs interested in applying to the NINJA2 / ScaleUp Regional Startup Expansion Program.
The session will introduce the project scope, eligibility criteria, selection process, target markets, support provided, and application steps.
Session Details
Date: Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: TTi Office
Registration: Click Here
We encourage interested startups to attend the session before submitting their application.
- What is ScaleUp?
ScaleUp is a regional expansion program supported by JICA under Project NINJA and implemented by TTi. The program supports Jordanian startups and SMEs interested in exploring business expansion opportunities in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.
- Which markets does the program focus on?
The program focuses on expansion opportunities in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, including the West Bank and Gaza. These markets have strong unmet needs, but they also require careful planning due to operational, regulatory, financial, and security-related challenges.
- Who should apply?
The program is designed for mature Jordanian startups and SMEs that already have a working product or service, some market traction, and a serious interest in regional expansion. It is not intended for idea-stage startups.
- What sectors are most relevant?
Priority sectors include digital services, fintech, edtech, healthtech, agritech, green/clean technologies, logistics, e-commerce, business services, and other scalable or technology-enabled solutions. Startups from other sectors are also eligible to apply, provided they can demonstrate clear traction, market relevance, and potential for regional expansion.
- Do we need to already have partners or customers in the target markets?
No. Existing contacts, partners, or customers in the target markets are an advantage, but they are not mandatory. However, startups should show that their solution has realistic relevance to one or more of the target markets.
- How many startups will be selected?
15 startups will be selected to join the main program and receive core expansion readiness support. From these, 6 startups will later be selected for the Proof of Concept (PoC) support phase, based on a second evaluation process and subject to feasibility, compliance, and JICA approval.
- How long will the support last?
All 15 selected startups will receive around 4–6 weeks of core support, including training, mentorship, market-entry guidance, and PoC concept development.From these, 6 startups will be selected for an additional 3-month PoC support phase, focused on implementation, monitoring, partner coordination, and documentation.
- What kind of support will selected startups receive?
Selected startups will receive practical support including market insights, business diagnostics, mentorship, expansion planning, partner linkages, and support to design a realistic PoC plan.
- What are the main selection criteria?
Applications will be assessed based on business maturity, market traction, relevance to the target markets, scalability, team commitment, feasibility of regional expansion, ability to work through partners, and readiness to design and implement a practical PoC within a short period.
- What is expected from selected startups?
Selected startups are expected to actively participate in training, mentorship, meetings, partner discussions, expansion planning, and PoC preparation. Strong commitment from a founder or senior decision-maker is important throughout the program.
- Will all 15 selected startups receive financial support?
No. All 15 selected startups will receive core program support, but financial support will only be available for the 6 startups selected for the PoC phase, subject to the second evaluation process, eligible activities, available funding, achieved progress, compliance requirements, and JICA approval.
- Does joining the program guarantee funding?
No. Selection for the main program does not automatically guarantee financial support. The PoC stage has a separate selection process, and only selected PoC finalists may receive implementation support.
- How much financial support can the 6 PoC finalists receive?
The 6 selected PoCfinalists may receive up to approximatelyJOD 15,000 each in PoC implementation support, depending on the startup’s actual needs, eligible activities, available funding, achieved progress, and required approvals.This support is not automatic and will be linked to an approved PoC plan, compliance requirements, and implementation milestones.
- What are examples of eligible PoC activities?
Eligible PoC activities may include market validation, product/service adaptation, local partner engagement, pilot implementation, technical setup, targeted outreach, local support services, and monitoring or documentation activities directly related to testing expansion into the target market.All PoC expenses must be linked to an approved PoC plan and will be subject to eligibility, available funding, compliance requirements, achieved progress, and JICA approval.
- Is travel to the target market required for PoC implementation?
No. Travel to the target markets is not required, encouraged, or supported under this program, given the risk and operating conditions in these markets.Startups are encouraged to design and implement their PoCs through remote, partner-led, or hybrid models, using local partners, service providers, or online channels where feasible.