Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG), Palestine’s leading tech hub supported by Google, has been enabling Palestinian tech professionals and startups to tap into global markets for over a decade. In 2022, GSG launched a revamped strategy aimed at building a tech-enabled economy in Palestine by nurturing tech talent, startups, and companies by going wider (i.e. expanding the volume of youth reached) and deeper (i.e. investing in niche and in-demand skill sets to give Palestinian youth a competitive edge). Under this strategy, GSG partners with local tech and digital service companies to train specialized tech talent, close the digital skills gap, and access international markets to bolster Palestine’s economic development.
Here are five ways GSG lives out its mission to create long-term gains for Palestine’s economic future:
- Supporting digital service companies across Palestine
Although the Palestinian tech ecosystem is small, it has a proven track record of delivering high quality tech services to multinational companies. Tech and digital service companies are well poised to tap into international markets, compete on price, and bolster revenue from international markets.
- Expanding the workforce of local companies
Through our signature Train-to-Hire program, GSG partners with Palestinian tech and digital service companies to train and acquire specialized tech talent to join their workforce. By providing companies with a pool of trained and skilled tech professionals, GSG enables companies to expand their capacity and take on more significant projects. As a result, Palestinian tech companies grow and compete in the global marketplace by offering niche tech specializations.
- Growing market share
GSG’s interventions support local tech companies to expand their customer base into international markets. By partnering directly with individual companies to tailor capacity building training, GSG helps to build sustainable pipelines for new projects and clients overseas. GSG leverages its highly skilled network of graduates, such as from the GSG Freelancing Academy, who have a proven track record of working with international clients through platforms like Upwork, and link these individuals to companies in need of experienced talent.
- Focusing on long-term sustainability of local tech companies
GSG’s goal is to assist in building dozens of large tech companies and hundreds of smaller companies, each specializing in a high-value niche, to generate revenue from overseas markets. By contributing to the development of a sustainable and robust tech ecosystem in Palestine, a steady pipeline of opportunities are created for Palestinian tech talent.
- Nurturing tech talent for local companies just as much as international ones
Freelancers in Palestine can earn between $600 to $1500 USD monthly, depending on their skills and experience. However, they face competition from low-cost countries in Asia and Africa. Remote employees, on the other hand, can earn salaries of $20k to $100k USD, which is great for the individual but results in a “brain drain” as Palestine’s best talent is absorbed by overseas companies. By centering local Palestinian tech companies, GSG helps Palestinian tech talent contribute their expertise directly to local companies.
GSG believes strongly in Palestine’s potential to supply high-value tech services to the local and global economy due to its young, highly educated, and underemployed population. The initial outcomes of GSG’s new strategy are promising and have made the case to train tens of thousands of young people each year to meet the growing demand for high-value services. By partnering with local and international companies, GSG is creating internship and employment opportunities for graduates while simultaneously generating revenue for Palestinian tech businesses.
Here’s a testimony from the companies that we worked with in the pilot phase
Together, we can build a sustainable and thriving tech-enabled economy in Palestine. For more information on how to partner with Gaza Sky Geeks, please contact us at [email protected].
