Case study - The World Bank
Empowering 1,500 Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses with the World Bank
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Sector:
Non‑Profit
Organisations Onboarded:
500+
Built in:
6 Weeks
Contract:
3 Years of Development & Support
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The Challenge We Are Solving
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) often struggle to digitize their operations, access e-commerce markets, and implement scalable business practices. The World Bank sought a trusted regional partner to design and execute a high-impact support program for these businesses.
Our Approach
Our Approach: Umbrella500, led by expert Saleem Najjar, partnered with the World Bank to co-design a comprehensive capacity-building initiative targeting 1,500 SMEs and entrepreneurs. The program focused on:
Strategic business diagnostics and personalized growth plans
Hands-on support in e-commerce integration and online store development
Access to mentorship in marketing, financial management, and AI adoption
Group training workshops and 1:1 consulting with local and international experts
Tools and automation to optimize operations and online visibility
Results
1,500+ entrepreneurs and small businesses supported across multiple countries
30% of overall sales increment.
Increased online visibility and sales for hundreds of participants
Empowered underserved entrepreneurs, including women-led and home-based businesses
Why It Worked
Deep local understanding paired with global standards
Agile implementation tailored to each business’s readiness
Innovative use of AI tools for product enhancement and automation
