Leaders of Tomorrow

What Leaders of Tomorrow does

Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) is a non-profit social enterprise founded in 2009 by Dr. Sami Hourani and headquartered in Amman, Jordan. The organization operates a portfolio of digital platforms and programmatic initiatives targeting youth, women, refugees, artisans, and civic participants across Jordan and the broader MENA region. Its two flagship technology assets are FOR9A.com, an Arabic-language opportunities platform claiming 5 million+ individual users and 2,000+ partner organizations providing smart matching to scholarships, internships, jobs, and training, and SouqFann.com, a digital marketplace and capacity-building platform that has supported more than 100 creative producers and 1,000+ unique handicraft products since 2018. Complementary initiatives include Diwanieh (a public dialogue platform that has organized 65+ debates since 2012), FADFED (a youth expression and research tool), MOHAKA (simulation-based civic learning), and the Social Innovation Challenge entrepreneurship program.

The organization employs approximately 10 core staff and operates with no commercial pricing; programs and platforms are delivered free or subsidized to beneficiaries. Revenue is generated through three streams: grant funding from international development organizations and government donors (Drosos Foundation, GIZ, EBRD, USAID, EU, British Council, UNESCO, Plan International, and multiple embassies), managed-services contracts operating digital platforms on behalf of Jordanian government entities (Petra Products for PDTRA, Khairat Aldar for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship), and fee-based training and capacity-building services. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, leveraging grassroots engagement, social media, and partnerships rather than commercial sales motions.

Name

Leaders of Tomorrow

Legal name

Leaders of Tomorrow

Website

https://leadersot.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leaders of Tomorrow is a Jordan-based non-profit social enterprise that operates the FOR9A.com opportunities platform (5M+ users) and SouqFann.com artisan marketplace, delivering youth employment, entrepreneurship, and civic-engagement programs across the MENA region through grant-funded and government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI)

Keywords

• Youth empowerment
• Opportunity matching platform
• Artisan marketplace
• Civic dialogue programs
• Capacity building services

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and Project-Based Funding: LOT operates as a social enterprise receiving funding from international development organizations, governments, and foundations to implement youth empowerment, education, and economic development programs.
2. Platform Operations and Management: Running and operating digital platforms (SouqFann) for government entities and managing e-commerce operations for partners like Petra Tourism Development Region Authority.
3. Training and Capacity Building Services: Providing training programs, mentorship, workshops, and capacity-building services to youth, artisans, and organizations across Jordan and the MENA region.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) is a Jordan-based social enterprise that delivers youth empowerment programs through two flagship digital platforms: FOR9A.com, an Arabic opportunities aggregator with smart matching for scholarships, internships, jobs, and trainings across MENA; and SouqFann.com, a digital marketplace that supports local artisans and home-based businesses with e-commerce and capacity building. The organization also runs civic engagement initiatives (Diwanieh, FADFED, MOHAKA) and the Social Innovation Challenge entrepreneurship program.

Product overview

Leaders of Tomorrow operates a portfolio of interconnected digital platforms and initiatives focused on youth empowerment across Jordan and the MENA region. The core products are FOR9A.com (an opportunities aggregation and matching platform) and SouqFann.com (a digital marketplace for artisans), supported by complementary initiatives including Diwanieh (public dialogue platform), FADFED (anonymous expression tool), MOHAKA (simulation-based learning), and the Social Innovation Challenge (entrepreneurship program). These offerings work together to provide a comprehensive ecosystem addressing youth employment, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and economic empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FOR9A.com: Online platform connecting youth across MENA region with scholarships, jobs, internships, volunteering, competitions, and educational resources. Empowers over 5 million individuals and +2000 organizations.
• SouqFann
• Diwanieh
• FADFED
• MOHAKA

Products and services

• FOR9A.com A comprehensive Arabic online platform that connects youth across the MENA region with scholarships, jobs, internships, volunteer programs, training courses, competitions, fellowships, and educational resources, providing open access and smart matching to learning and employment opportunities. It serves 5 million+ individuals and 2,000+ organizations and supports youth, women, refugees, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable communities.
• SouqFann.com A digital marketplace and capacity-building platform that supports local producers, artisans, and home-based businesses by enabling them to access wider markets, improve product quality, and build sustainable income streams through structured training in pricing, branding, packaging, customer service, and digital sales. Since launch, it has supported 100+ creative producers and 1,000+ unique products.
• Diwanieh A public dialogue platform that organizes free, open debates in public spaces on social, political, and economic topics, encouraging youth civic participation and transferring political and social discussions from elite circles to the street. It has organized 65+ public debates across Jordan since 2012.
• FADFED A youth-driven dialogue and freedom of expression initiative that uses interactive polling and qualitative/quantitative research tools to collect data on issues that matter to communities, creating safe spaces for young people to anonymously voice opinions on sensitive societal issues.
• MOHAKA An experiential learning initiative that uses immersive role-playing and simulation-based activities to encourage critical thinking, empathy, dialogue, and active citizenship among youth.
• Social Innovation Challenge An intensive entrepreneurship program that combines hands-on training, mentorship, hackathons, and practical experience to equip young individuals with tools to transform innovative ideas into viable social enterprises.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 million+ individuals reached with opportunities across MENA region
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partner on Amman In Green project developing Green City Action Plan for Greater Amman Municipality, supported by Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance and AECOM.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on youth empowerment and cultural programs in Jordan.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the first Social Innovation Challenge in MENA region held in Jordan in August 2015, focused on fostering social innovation among youth.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 'Vote for Your Wasta' initiative launched in 2016 to encourage young women's and men's participation in parliamentary elections.
• FHI360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on youth empowerment programs including 'Instawasta' photography exhibition and competition, and other civic engagement initiatives.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Social Innovation Challenge hackathons including Educational Solutions Hackathon 2021 and Inclusive Early Childhood Education Hackathon 2022-2023.
• Plan InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 'Ready for Tomorrow' project developing Jordan Innovation Challenge to enhance youth entrepreneurial capacities across Jordan.
• Petra Tourism Development Region Authority (PDTRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to launch Petra Products, an innovative e-commerce platform dedicated to promoting authentic Jordanian handicrafts and cultural heritage.
• Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (Jordan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperating Khairat Aldar platform launched as pilot phase to support and empower home business owners in Jordan.
• Embassy of The Netherlands in JordancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded the FADFED project (2019-2022) to improve economic opportunities for young and women artisans in Amman, Ajloun, Zarqa, and Wadi Musa.
• Embassy of Switzerland in JordancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded the 'Kelmeh' campaign (2022) on cyber harassment and digital safety for Jordanian women, including online course development.
• Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on 'Silm Un Bod' online campaign promoting peacebuilding in Jordan and SCENE Audiovisual Contest for youth.
• NOVACT (Institute for Nonviolence and Ethics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on peacebuilding campaigns including 'Silm Un Bod' and SCENE Audiovisual Contest.
• AECOMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Amman In Green project developing Green City Action Plan for Greater Amman Municipality.
• Drosos FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded the Ta'alam project (2017-2024) through FORSA to help marginalized young people transition into sustainable employment across MENA countries.
• EU MedBridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on DIWANIEH Coffeetalks series (2022-2023) resulting in establishment of EU Jeel Connect network in Jordan.
• Crown Prince Fund (CPF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJordanian government fund supporting economic development initiatives.
• Arab BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Jordanian bank supporting youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Shoman FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJordanian foundation supporting development and social programs.
• UNESCOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations agency supporting education and culture programs.
• OxfamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational confederation working on global poverty alleviation.
• French Embassy in JordanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting cultural and development exchange programs.
• Greater Amman MunicipalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Amman In Green public engagement campaign and various civic initiatives.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT): Global nonprofit that trains youth as digital leaders and runs digital-inclusion platforms across the MENA region, comparable to LOT's digital empowerment and youth-led innovation programs.
• INJAZ Al-Arab: Jordan-anchored nonprofit delivering youth entrepreneurship and workforce-readiness programs across the MENA region, directly comparable to LOT's economic-empowerment and Social Innovation Challenge work.
• Education for Employment (EFE): MENA-focused nonprofit connecting youth to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities via training, employer matching, and digital platforms, mirroring LOT's FOR9A opportunity-matching value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Wamda: MENA-wide entrepreneurship support platform offering content, programs, and capital access to founders — overlapping with LOT's entrepreneurship and Social Innovation Challenge offerings.
• Bayt.com: Largest MENA job-search and career-matching platform, serving as a commercial incumbent that competes indirectly with FOR9A's opportunity-aggregation and matching function.
• Souq.com (Amazon): Dominant MENA e-commerce marketplace now part of Amazon, representing the commercial incumbent against which LOT positions its niche SouqFann handicrafts/artisan marketplace.

Regional players

• Ruwwad Al-Tanmeya: Jordan-based community empowerment NGO combining youth programs, education support, and micro-enterprise — a strong analog in geography and youth-development orientation.
• Nahdet El-Mashreq: MENA-wide education and youth-development publisher and programs operator, comparable as a regionally scaled nonprofit delivering youth-empowerment content and capacity building.
• Generations For Peace: Jordan-headquartered global NGO focused on youth-led peacebuilding and civic engagement, comparable in mission to LOT's Diwanieh and FADFED dialogue and civic-participation programming.
• Jordan River Foundation: Royal-chartered Jordanian nonprofit running community and youth empowerment programs, similar in mission scope, donor-funded structure, and Jordan-anchored regional delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leadersot
• Facebookfacebook.com/leadersot
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leaders-of-tomorrow
• Instagraminstagram.com/leadersot

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leaders of Tomorrow