Jerusalem, September 7, 2025
News Summary
In a bid to foster collaboration and skill development, Israeli and Palestinian teenagers are engaging in joint technology and entrepreneurship programs. Initiatives like the Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (MEET) and 50:50 Startups focus on teaching computer science and nurturing entrepreneurship, facilitating interactions between youth from both communities despite ongoing tensions. These programs aim to cultivate relationships and address common social and economic challenges through innovative projects and social startups.
Jerusalem — Israeli and Palestinian teenagers are taking part in joint technology and entrepreneurship programs designed to build practical skills and cross-community relationships amid ongoing regional tensions. Two established initiatives, the Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (MEET) and 50:50 Startups, are teaching computer science, innovation and startup development while creating structured opportunities for sustained collaboration between youth from both communities.
Key developments
MEET, based in Jerusalem and linked to an MIT initiative, and 50:50 Startups, founded with Boston-area support, are enrolling students who work together on technology projects and business ideas intended to address shared social and economic problems. MEET enrolls 120 ninth-graders each year for a three-year sequence of instruction totaling about 700 hours, including a three-week summer program in Jerusalem. 50:50 runs cohorts of 30 to 50 participants over six-month classes with industry mentorship and investor pitch opportunities.
Both programs report measurable outcomes: MEET has nearly 1,000 alumni who went on to careers in technology, entrepreneurship and policy or who attended top universities. A survey of MEET participants showed 94% were willing to work with people of the other nationality. Program teams have produced socially focused startups; examples include anonymous crime-reporting tools and a winning project that aims to connect more than 600,000 unemployed Palestinian youth with remote tech jobs in Gulf states.
How the programs operate
MEET: curriculum and structure
MEET was created in 2004 during the second Intifada by students from MIT and Harvard and was developed with MIT’s International Science and Technology Initiative. The program focuses on computer science, entrepreneurship and intercultural dialogue. Instruction is delivered by MIT students and MEET alumni, and a significant portion of the program is devoted to student teams that build startups with social impact objectives. Each cohort receives intensive multi-year training culminating in a public Demo Day where projects compete for recognition.
50:50 Startups: incubation and pilot accelerator
Founded in 2019 to address unequal access to business opportunities, 50:50 Startups pairs Israeli and Palestinian youth in startup teams that work with industry professionals and receive mentorship from a Northeastern University business class. Successful teams pitch to potential investors. To accommodate travel restrictions, the program launched a pilot accelerator in Cyprus, allowing Palestinians who cannot enter Israel to participate alongside Israeli peers.
Participant experiences and outcomes
Participants report that working together on technical projects creates opportunities for sustained dialogue on sensitive topics, increases empathy and reframes perceptions of the “other.” Student teams have tackled problems tied to local needs and unemployment, and program competitions have awarded top projects that demonstrate practical impact and scalability. In several cases, initial hesitation from participants about identity and background was transformed into joint project work and constructive collaboration.
Funding, challenges and resilience
Both initiatives have faced financial pressures linked to shifting international support. MEET lost approximately $1 million per year in USAID funding through 2028 because of changing U.S. political dynamics. Despite budget cuts, MEET reported increased participation levels, indicating sustained interest and resilience. 50:50 relies on partnerships, mentorship networks and pilot solutions such as the Cyprus accelerator to maintain inclusion for Palestinians affected by travel limitations.
Background and broader context
These programs were launched against a backdrop of protracted conflict and limited intercommunity contact in many towns and schools. MEET was established in the midst of the 2004 second Intifada as a technology-based peacemaking effort. 50:50 emerged more recently to reduce disparities in access to entrepreneurship and tech industry opportunities. Both use project-based learning to combine vocational training with intercultural engagement.
Organizers and participants frame the initiatives as investments in a future generation of leaders who can work across divisions. Students emerging from these programs are entering higher education and tech-sector employment, and some alumni pursue policy work intended to influence economic and social opportunities in their communities. Observers note that while such programs do not eliminate political or structural obstacles, they create tangible cooperation models and practical tools for problem solving.
The programs continue to adapt, using remote and cross-border solutions to include participants affected by movement restrictions and to sustain activities amid funding uncertainties. Proponents emphasize the dual goals of increasing technical capacity and fostering dialogue that could translate into broader social and economic collaboration over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are MEET and 50:50 Startups?
MEET is a Jerusalem-based educational program founded in 2004 that teaches computer science and entrepreneurship to Israeli and Palestinian youth while promoting intercultural dialogue. 50:50 Startups is a newer incubator-style program started in 2019 that brings mixed teams together to develop startup ideas with industry mentorship.
Who can participate?
Both programs target Israeli and Palestinian teenagers and young adults. MEET enrolls ninth-graders for a multi-year track; 50:50 enrolls cohorts of young people for six-month classes. Programs use selection processes to form mixed teams.
What do participants learn?
Curricula include computer science fundamentals, entrepreneurship, project development and teamwork. A substantial portion of time is dedicated to building startups aimed at social impact.
How do the programs handle travel and access issues?
To accommodate participants who face travel restrictions, organizers have run pilot programs outside Israel, including a Cyprus accelerator, and use remote collaboration and hybrid learning where necessary.
What are the measurable outcomes?
MEET reports nearly 1,000 alumni who entered tech, entrepreneurship and policy fields and a high willingness among participants to work with peers from the other community. Student projects have won awards and targeted large social challenges, such as job access for unemployed youth.
Are the programs financially secure?
Funding has been affected by shifting international support. MEET lost approximately $1 million per year in USAID funding through 2028 but has maintained or increased participation through alternative resources and partnerships.
Program Comparison and Practical Details
| Program | Founded | Participants / Size | Duration | Core Activities | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEET (Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow) | 2004 | 120 ninth-graders per year; ~1,000 alumni | 3 years; ~700 hours total; includes 3-week summer | Computer science, entrepreneurship, intercultural dialogue, startup projects | Lost ~$1M/year in USAID funding through 2028 but maintained participation |
| 50:50 Startups | 2019 | 30–50 per class | 6 months per cohort | Startup development, mentorship, investor pitching, industry partnerships | Pilot accelerator in Cyprus for participants with travel restrictions |
| Common outcomes | High rates of cross-community collaboration, student-led social startups, pathways to higher education and tech-sector employment | ||||
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Boston Globe: Israeli and Palestinian Teenagers in Technology Programs
- Wikipedia: Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
- Boston Globe: Technology Programs in Israel and Palestine
- Google Search: Israel Palestine Entrepreneurship Programs
- Boston Globe: Cross-Cultural Startups between Israel and Palestine
- Google Scholar: Israel Palestine Youth Entrepreneurship
- Boston Globe: Social Impact Startups in the Middle East
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Middle East Entrepreneurship
- Boston Globe: Youth Innovation in Israel and Palestine
- Google News: Middle East Entrepreneurship Programs
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
