The regional Arab MENA winner will receive a six-month incubation package at an Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) regional incubation centre, or at the affiliated incubation centre most suitable for the winner. This will include

• an appropriate level of technical and business development support
• the opportunity to access a pool of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists
• access to technical and business strategy support and assistance for shortlisted participants.

The population of the Arab nations is estimated at approximately 340 million across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), which includes 23 different countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Though diverse in geography, resources, and ethnicity, the Arab region shares a common language – Arabic – and a common history that dates back to the rise of Islam in the 7th century AD. Islam is the predominant religion in the Arab countries; combined with their shared past, it has produced a melting pot of culture and heritage that has resulted in strong community links and a mutual interest in development throughout the Arab world. This sense of commonality was formalised by the establishment of the League of Arab States in 1945. The Arab League is a regional organisation set up to nurture and build on these common elements in order to strengthen political and economic relations among the Arab states.

The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) is an independent, nongovernmental, non-profit regional and international organisation. ASTF was formed in April 2000 by a group of Arab scientists and engineers from all over the world with the prime directive of promoting science and technology in the Arab Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. ASTF serves as mediator between those who produce, develop, and fund scientific research, and those who benefit from it. In all its activities, ASTF supports and facilitates scientific and technological innovation in the Arab world. Its goal is to fulfil its mission as a pan-Arab organisation by establishing branch offices in Arab capitals and liaison nodes in other parts of the world. At present, ASTF has branch offices in Sharjah (UAE), Baghdad, Cairo, Tunis, Amman, Morocco, Libya, and Sudan. In addition, ASTF aims to identify outstanding scientific research activities and become a centre for assessing the performance of scientific programs, as well as a powerful international Arab entity that defends the region’s interests in scientific and technological progress.

Elgazala Technopark (located near Tunis) is the largest business incubator in Tunisia. A key player in the ICT industry of Tunisia and Africa at large, the technology park provides support to start-ups and other SMEs in this field. It is currently assisting around 90 companies, including 12 spinoffs of global corporations such as Microsoft and Ericsson. Meanwhile, Elgazala Technopark is a partner in the extensive European BIC Network and works with members of Tunisia's Ministry of Communication Technologies, Tunisian Telecom, the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation, and the Tunisian Union for Industry, Commerce, and Handicrafts. Finally, Elgazala Technopark also has the necessary research infrastructure at its disposal thanks to partners such as the Center for Studies and Research in Telecommunications, the College of Communications of Tunis, and the Higher Institute of Technological Studies in Communications of Tunis. The Elgazala Technopark operates an ENGOS test receiver as well as a monitoring station. The system was designed and constructed jointly by several companies which are based at the park. It is used for educational and research purposes.
www.elgazala.tn

The ESNC Arab MENA Challenge also has the support of the Royal Jordanian Geographic Center (RJGC), which was established in 1975 to serve as a national institution responsible for field, aerial, and spatial survey efforts. The main focus of RJGC is surveying, mapping, and related modern sciences such as remote sensing, digital mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), space geodesy, and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Its further scientific specialisations include survey sciences, data technology, satellite imagery analysis, and Earth science applications. RJGC is also responsible for producing maps, carrying out survey work, executing projects, and supplying geographic information to the public and the private sector.
http://images.jordan.gov.jo/wps/wcm/connect/gov/egov/government+ministries+_+entities/
royal+jordanian+geographic+center/royal+jordanian+geographic+center