Zain Iraq Launches Zain Great Idea and Celebrates Super Monday Milestone

Baghdad, Iraq | September 2025: Zain Iraq proudly announced the launch of the Iraqi edition of its flagship entrepreneurship program, Zain Great Idea (ZGI), on 26 August 2025, during a high-profile ceremony at its headquarters in Baghdad. This milestone reflects Zain Iraq’s unwavering commitment to empowering youth, nurturing innovation, and empowering ecosystem enablers to support sustainable growth.

The launch gathered a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and industry leaders, creating a collaborative platform that reflects the growing momentum of Iraq’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Attendees were introduced to the program’s vision and upcoming phases, which include mentorship bootcamps, pitching workshops, and international exposure opportunities designed to transform promising ideas into scalable, investment-ready businesses.

In conjunction with the launch, Zain Iraq hosted Super Monday, an intensive day of pitching, evaluation, and mentorship that marked the program’s first major milestone. Twelve entrepreneurs presented their groundbreaking projects to a distinguished panel of mentors, including (Ms. Rasha Barakat, Ms. Tamara Hussain, and Mr. Umair Maniar), who brought diverse expertise and valuable insights into the evaluation process. The session provided participants with valuable feedback, networking opportunities, and exposure to best practices in pitching.

Following a thorough evaluation process, five outstanding founders were selected to advance to the next phase of ZGI, a stage designed to identify the three most promising innovators who will ultimately qualify. These entrepreneurs are set to embark on a transformative journey of advanced mentorship, immersive international exposure, and high-level global networking. Their experience will culminate in an exclusive opportunity to participate in the prestigious International Accelerator phase in Silicon Valley, placing them at the very heart of the world’s innovative ecosystem.

Commenting on the milestone, Ms. Rasha Barakat, CHRO of Zain Iraq, said:

“With Zain Great Idea, we are unlocking new waves of creativity, ambition, and resilience among Iraqi youth. Super Monday reflects the true spirit of this program, it is where ideas are sharpened, challenges are tested, and dreams take shape. We are proud of the twelve entrepreneurs who showcased their talent and congratulate the five who advanced to the next phase, which will see three innovators selected to represent Iraq on the global stage and showcase our entrepreneurial spirit to the world.”

The successful kickoff and Super Monday milestone underscore Zain Iraq’s long-term vision of building a resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem that bridges local talent with global opportunities, positioning Iraq as an emerging hub of innovation in the region.