Alumni Startups
We’ve had the honour of working with incredibly ambitious and talented newcomers since our inception in 2017. The startups below are just a few examples of the businesses we’ve helped launch through our programs. They’re active in various industries (food and beverage, tech, agriculture, consumer goods, media, education, construction, and art) – reflecting the range of skills and interests of our participants. Forward·Inc has trained over 1000 newcomers, and 132 businesses have been launched.
Julie Nakzi
Éclat
By sending a limited number of sealed envelopes to certain houses in Blaricum, the receivers are invited to participate in an exclusive project with a special story, having something with an emotional value photographed in timeless black and white with the option of printing.
NL Based
.
Marian Kerelos
Ar@t
ARaT bridges the gap between environmentally conscious consumers and talented artisans struggling to find their audience and value their work. Our innovative online marketplace offers a unique auction-based platform, tackling the common pricing hurdle for beginner artisans.
NL Based
.
Huseyin Karaağaç
Hare Design
Making and delivering jewellery with natural and sustainable materials is a passion for Hare Design. All of our bohemian jewellery is handmade, and fair trade from small family businesses and/or suppliers.
NL Based
.
Heba Suliman & Ibrahem Majzoub
Heba Home
Heba Home sells an assortment of vibrant ceramics that bring a touch of Syria into your home. With Heba Home, you'll find a variety of colourful tableware items and home decor sourced or created by artisans. They source handcrafted products from small workshops.
NL Based
.
Moataz Aouf
Syrian Cotton
A newcomer's start-up that sells premium underwear & towels for affordable prices. Syrian Cotton brings high-quality & affordable cotton towels and underwear made by the best Syrian manufacturers in the diaspora.
NL Based
.
Yara Kanaan
Yara Atelier
Yara Atelier creates high-quality, long-lasting clothing by prioritising eco-friendly materials and advocating for slow fashion. This extends to community empowerment through workshops and a new plant-based textile for the Dutch and European fashion market.
NL Based
.
Roua Alhalabi
Roua Atelier
Roua Atelier is focused on making a sustainable impact in the textile industry by researching & developing new techniques, dye recipes, and materials. Roua Atelier also educates adults and children about natural dye by hosting workshops and events.
NL Based
.
Bashar Zakarie, Bassel Zakarie
Pita Chef
Pita Chef presents traditional Syrian dishes in a modern way filled with vegetables to make them more suitable for our Dutch customers
NL Based
.
Hanna Olana
OLANA COFFEE
Introducing traditional coffee into the coffee and beverage market in the Netherlands through TRADITIONAL COFFEE.
NL Based
.
Emna Ragheb
Numidia
Numidia offers healthy breakfast and snacks with a Tunisian twist and supports Tunisian farmers with every purchase.
NL Based
.
Adam Hamwi
HAMWI
Rooted in the heart of ancient Syrian culture, Hamwi Catering Service brings the flavors and traditions of Syrian cuisine to the Netherlands. Founded by Adam Hamwi, inspired by childhood memories and a passion for sharing food, our service offers high-quality Syrian street food and snacks through a series of food trucks.
NL Based
.
Anna Sadovska
CREAMAREA
A home bakery that addresses the need for fresh and plant-based baked goods and pastries delivery to coffee shops in the Netherlands.
NL Based
.
Hanine Ghannam
Mortben
Wholesome on the go. Mortben specialises in ready-to-eat meals and meal packages that are dietitian-curated and prepared from natural and organic ingredients by rural women. No refined carbs. No preservatives. No hydrogenated oils.
International Based
.
Mojahed Akil
JOAAN App
Through its unique 360-degree solution, JOAAN helps restaurants with production, sales, marketing, and delivery. JOAAN allows restaurants to expand with little cost, thanks to its cloud kitchens, ordering platforms and JOAAN's delivery drivers.
International Based
.
Zina Abboud
Zina's Kitchen
From corporate catering and home and event catering to cooking workshops, Zina can provide delicious Syrian cooking for everyone! Cooking is Zina's art, and she brings delicious food from her heritage to the Netherlands.
NL Based
.
Rami Masri
Leaves By Roots
With its first location at Almere Station, Roots provides a healthy, sustainable alternative to travellers and commuters with delicious Mediterranean comfort food. They are dedicated to social impact by employing newcomers at their locations.
NL Based
.
Ranya Omer & Abdelrahman Adam
Napata Restaurant
Napata brings traditional Sudanese hospitality and Nubian cuisine to the heart of the Netherlands. Every dish is made with authenticity, time-honoured recipes and the freshest ingredients.
NL Based
.
Nisreen Aldasooqi
GreenAra | Bisan B.V.
GreenAra is transforming dining experiences with top-quality edible products and eco-friendly tableware. They've expanded into catering to further extend a commitment to green dining solutions.
NL Based
.
Paul - Vincent Houayek
Chef Vincent Catering
Chef Vincent Catering offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a Lebanese twist. With an extensive array of options, from appetisers to desserts, they use only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients.
NL Based
.
Bader Dabbagh
Hummus & Habibis
Hummus & Habibis is a family business for delicious and homemade Syrian food delivery and catering throughout the Netherlands.
NL Based
.
Ola Shams
Bytes by Ola
Bites by Ola provides b2b catering service that introduces fresh delicious Syrian food for small to large-sized events in the region of Alkmaar. They also have a food truck based at the beach in Schoorl, North Holland.
NL Based
.
Alaa Khalefeh
Swisslava
Swisslava provides a new way to experience a guilt-free baklava on the run or as a gift in innovative packaging similar to chocolate. This is the perfect gift to send to employees and loved ones!
NL Based
.
Pelin Oztumer
Pelinizzy Bakery
With over 10 years of culinary and baking experience, Pelin started Pelinizzy Bakery, which provides delicious home-baked goods delivered in Rosmalen and Amsterdam.
NL Based
.
Ghaith Alsheikh
Holy Gut
Holy Gut! delivers 90% ready-to-eat meals to the doorstep of consumers with food allergies and intolerances that otherwise have a hard time finding suitable nutritious options.
NL Based
.
Khaled (Noori) Alyami
Noori Dates
Noori Dates provides high quality and healthy dates sold in custom packaging made in Yemen and Egypt.
NL Based
.
Anas Khadem Aljamie
Matély
Matély is not your normal drink, it's a super drink. The signature cold-brewed mate drink provides a crash-free and organic energy booster to keep you at the next level.
NL Based
.
Tamim Kbarh & Rahaf Al Lymoni
Daffee
A love story that led to an innovative business. Daffee is a hot drink that is caffeine-free and made from recycled date seeds. The drink is full of vitamins (A,B,C & K), fibres and proteins. You can buy it in grounds and capsule form.
NL Based
.
Khaoula Ben Gayesse
NAFAS
Nafas is an online platform for mental health services in the workplace. The platform targets companies & organisations in the MENA region.
International
.
Zeinab Hefny
ZEINA
Zeinab is a certified breakthrough specialist and freedom leader. She works with men and women who want a comprehensive, effective, and time-efficient approach to dealing with mental health issues related to work, relationships, or health. Zeinab also provides assistance in the prevention of stress-related mental illness in the workplace.
International
.
Nowar Rahmouni
GHARNA HALABI
“Gharna” translates to “our laurel” in Arabic, while “Halabi” alludes to the origin of this soap, rooted in the city of Aleppo. Launched in 2018, Gharna Halabi was established to highlight the rich heritage and civilisation of Aleppo. Aleppo Soap is renowned not only for its natural ingredients but also for its unique shape.
NL Based
.
Mohamed Suleman
Olivscent
Olivscent creates artistically handcrafted olive oil soaps/ They are made from a traditional process, and there are a variety of scents to fit any taste!
NL Based
.
Maha Alzeer
Amalia Academy
Amalia Academy believes that every woman has the strength and resilience to achieve her ambition. They work to motivate and guide women in making choices, creating a powerful self-image and developing a clear future perspective to integrate into Dutch society.
NL Based
.
Tasnim Jemli
Jemlies
Jemlies is an online platform that helps Arabic women who want to reach their full potential by providing access to products, experts, and the community to achieve their goals and live a mindful and successful life.
NL Based
.
Abdullah Alharbi & Qusay Mustafa
Lamsa
Abdullah and Qusay bring authentic handmade products from their Syrian homeland to the Netherlands. They combine the best raw oils, extracts, and butters that will treat, heal and promote healthier skin. They stand for transparency, sustainability, and clean skincare.
NL Based
.
Oula Elhorani
Cosmekitz
Cosmekitz curate products tailored to individual hair and skin needs using organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. They are committed to using high-quality, plant-based extracts, essential oils, and botanics to empower natural beauty while delivering visible, lasting results.
NL Based
.
Soleil Rahmonova & Avik Asroriyan
Honestly It's
Honestly It's is a circular beauty brand that makes sustainable, zero-waste skincare and beauty products using plastic-free packaging. All products are up-cycled, cruelty-free, vegan and shipped from the Netherlands.
NL Based
.
Khaled Shaaban
SUBUL
Subul Impact Outsourcing is a social enterprise that provides outsourcing services to help international businesses access a skilled workforce and provides refugees and disadvantaged people with access to decent work. Subul implements IT projects and facilitates the entire hiring process for its clients.
NL Based
.
Yury Vilenskiy
UPRENT
Uprent is an AI-powered platform that allows you to do quick rentals without a real estate agency as the platform collects unique market data that can be used to exclude real estante agents on the landlord’s side.
NL Based
.
Cagri Demir
Anticipai
Anticipai is a generative AI-driven safety assistant that proactively monitors and analyzes workplace environments to prevent incidents and enhance overall safety.
NL Based
.
Othman Beirumi
Servinera
Servinera is an online marketplace where maintenance seekers find maintenance professionals.
International
.
Fatimah AL-Shahban & Asmita Ray
YourVisioMedia
YourVisionMedia's mission is to help purpose-driven, sustainable businesses grow in alignment with their values by creating aligned strategies that reflect their client's unique brand vision and values.
International
.
Randi Barznji
SHOPASAR
Shopasar is an online ‘virtual shop’/marketplace connecting Kurdish and Iraqi artisans with a diverse customer base. The app also offers artisans with branding and marketing strategy support.
International
.
Salah El-Din Mohamed & Shimaa Ahmed
Tasmimack
Tasmimak is a user-friendly SAAS design platform for Arabic graphics, that enables even novice users to create stunning professional-grade designs with ease (Using drag and drop).
International
.
Alina Potemska
Ludensa
Ludensa is a tabletop game publishing which provides services for designing, developing and publishing a range of games, from party games to educational.
International
.
Zienab Tariq Humieda Ahmed
Zeena Translation Firm
A distinctive Sudanese institution focused on translation, interpreting, and localisation services. An industry-leading, certified translation firm that consistently delivers top-notch solutions tailored to your unique linguistic needs.
International
.
Mary Munyao & Sebastian Mwaura
Yna Kenya
A forward-thinking organization dedicated to transforming urban mobility through sustainable and innovative solutions. Our flagship initiative, E-Ride, focuses on providing eco-friendly, cost-effective transportation using electric motorcycles.
International
.
Haya Jouhar & Arvind Bajaj
Octopus Online Store
Our platform is a passport to a world of culturally rich products. From Ghana's Fufu Flakes to Moroccan Couscous, routing through Turkish Simit, Syrian Makdous, the Mexican Takis, the Neigerian Cassava, landing with the Indian Gol Gappe, and beyond! Octopus 🐙 Stay Connected with Your Roots!
NL Based
.
Sima Perevoznyuk
COMFY CORNER
Comfycorner provides end-to-end housing search and relocation support for expats and tenants with unconventional needs, e.g. with kids/pets, single parents, self-employed, etc. Services provided include document handling, property viewings, and negotiation support.
NL Based
.
Sarah Al Banna, Solaima Taraby, Samera Tarabay
DARRENBI ICT SARL
Darrebni ICT SARL is a platform that connects trainees to top coaches and training institutes anywhere in the world. It promotes a wide variety of in-person and virtual opportunities to support personal and professional advancement.
International
.
Ataa Faraj
COLOR POINT
Color Point's expertise spans multiple facets of design, ranging from website design and development, e-marketing campaigns, precise printing solutions, making business cards, brochures, posters, and catalogues to creating distinctive and meaningful logos that authentically convey their clients' brand values.
International
.
Christian Almurr, Imad Sawaya, Nour Sandid
JEDO
Think Spotify but for local trips. With an AI-based trips library, Jedo offers users a free pocket guide where they can optionally book through the app. Jedo also offers selected tools and discounts to save local explorers time and money.
International
.
Aly Buydoon
Catalosite
With Catalosite you can create your website content as effortlessly as you post on Instagram, with the same level of excitement and creativity! Your visitors will scroll without getting bored or distracted.
NL Based
.
Nour Charaf Eddin
Opportunitree
Opportunitree is a strategic branding and innovative design agency that provides transparent and honest marketing solutions to help increase your revenue and master growing your business.
NL Based
.
Omar Alsorory
MICAPiC
MICAPiC specialises in short films, documentaries, events, commercial videos, and professional photography.
NL Based
.
Hamdi Alhakimi
My First Draft
My First Draft is an online platform with Artificial Intelligence Tools to assist researchers in writing health research. It is designed to make the process of writing research papers easy, efficiency, and accurate. It supports with drafting text for scientific papers and literature review.
NL Based
.
Sarmad Ajmaya
WeGoCine
WeGoCine is a film and media production company that specialises in videography and photography. Whether it concerns making commercial films, corporate films, animations or event registrations, they have the reliability, expertise and creative flair to realise your vision.
NL Based
.
Adam Hamwi
Wafy
Wafy is a platform that provides understandable and trustworthy guidance for newcomers in the Netherlands.
NL Based
.
Burhan Kocabiyik, Gurkan Ordueri, Esad Kılıç
ARspar
ARspar has developed Augmented Reality technology which reinvents every online shopping experience. AR-technology enhanced with an easy payment method, excites a large deal of shoppers who currently drop out in the stale and unimaginative buying process.
NL Based
.
Shadi Alhakimi
Taaly
Taaly is a 1-on-1 training platform that connects new Dutch learners with natives. You practice the Dutch language using video chat with a native speaker to eventually be able to communicate with everyone and find your place in society.
NL Based
.
Mohamad Mustafa & Omar Mustafa
IT-plus24
IT-plus24 is an experienced IT service provider that focuses on various industries and serves clients ranging from small to large enterprises. Their expertise includes designing, building and maintaining IT environments.
NL Based
.
Karam Abd
Speetu
Speetu is an innovative solution firm powered by AI and the latest technology releases. Established in Amsterdam, Speetu provides clients with expertise in cloud solutions, web & mobile applications, UIUX, big data, and machine learning and develops practices using Azure, Digital Ocean and Heroku.
NL Based
.
Jamil Makhoul
Zajal Media
Zajal Media offers a wide range of options for your creative needs, from filmmaking, journalism, videography, editing, storytelling, photography, TV correspondence camera operation and infographic creation.
NL Based
.
Lujain Alhendi
Lavender Photography
Lavender Photography offers full wedding service production in the Netherlands. From videography and photography to drone images and 360 shots, weddings are fully captured. Lujain has built a large customer base with over 12k followers on Instagram.
NL Based
.
Khadijah Alsirafy
POSTA
POSTA is a monthly subscription box for children from 0 to 12 years old, designed to encourage reading in Arabic. They curate and collect Arabic books and materials, categorise them based on subjects and age groups, and share valuable pieces of written Arabic materials with your children.
NL Based
.
Mohamad Alassar
Askpro
Askpro provides renovation and maintenance services, building on Mohammad's years of experience in this field. These services are carried out by skilled workers with a refugee background, ensuring the gap is filled in the supply of renovation while economically empowering newcomers.
NL Based
.
