The Station Foundation for Entrepreneurship is one of Iraq’s lead coworking spaces, and Baghdad’s first coworking space.
First established in 2018 as an independent, non-governmental, and non-profit organization, it became the cornerstone for Iraqi youth with fresh and innovative ideas to set their first foot into the business world and private sector.
We have since received international recognition, winning the Compass Award for Ecosystem Champions from the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
The Station has attracted nationwide demand for its services and programs and has recently expanded to Erbil.
The experience at The Station goes beyond being merely a physical space, we build communities, drive acceleration, and inspire a culture of collaboration. Download our profile
Our Mission
Enhancing the involvement and participation of youth in the development of the Entrepreneurship ecosystem by empowering local initiatives through business support services, capacity building training and networking.
Our Vision
To build an ecosystem comprised of aspiring entrepreneurs and artists, thriving to make a life, not just a living. We envision a future driven by generation of innovators, risk takers and leaders.
Our
Values
Our values are reflected in
everything that we do at The Station
1Collaboration
We all need support and here at The Station, we share our experiences, opportunities, and skills.
2Resilience
We take risks, and encourage tough decisions that can push us further towards our goals.
3Inclusivity
We are a community that will not close its doors to different ideas, cultures, and backgrounds.
4Adaptability
We move with the needs of the community, ensuring that we stay relevant, and ensure a positive impact.
Strategic Objectives
Empowering start-ups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs.
Encouraging Iraqi youth to effectively engage in the private sector.
Influencing private sector reform by supporting Iraq’s ecosystem.
Promoting Iraqi culture, heritage, and art to a wider audience.
Our
Spaces
The Station in Baghdad is the main branch of the Organization. All branches of the Station share the same goals, vision, and values.
Baghdad - HQ
Our first branch, through which we provide low-cost resources and an inspiring co-working space for start-ups and small businesses. The Station was founded with the support of Al-Handal International Group. In addition to our strategic partners, Zain Iraq and Earthlink Telecommunication.
The Station became the capital of Iraq's business ecosystem, growing out of Baghdad, and hosting many of the country’s entrepreneurial actors and activities. Since 2018, we have acquired over $2,000,000 in funding from a variety of local and international donors, implemented 11 programs, and have hosted a myriad of events on a national level.
Mosul
Our second branch was established in the city of Mosul in 2020 as part of the Yanhad program,
funded by the French Foreign Ministry and the European Union, and implemented by The Station in cooperation with Expertise France in Iraq.
We have launched new initiatives to prepare trainers from Mosul in the fields of entrepreneurship and design thinking, and consequently, raise awareness about entrepreneurship among the youth.
This was the first step in promoting a more robust private sector in Mosul. The Station is aiming to focus on agricultural projects in the upcoming years due to its high potential in Mosul.
Erbil
As part of The Station’s vision to build a connected business ecosystem across Iraq, we have now expanded to Kurdistan, Erbil. We opened our third branch on March 24, 2022.
The Station will be focusing on creating a thriving entrepreneurial community through incubation programs and by reaching out to university students through theMetro.
Basra
We launched our first project in Basra, theTrain, through the Zain Innovation Platform (ZINC) as part of the MoU between The Station and Zain Iraq. theTrain will be prepare trainers in the fields of entrepreneurship and design thinking. The trainers will then give awareness sessions in the universities which will further promote the culture of entrepreneurship among the youth.
The Station is currently working on expanding its operations in Basra through opening a physical space.