Mindset

What Mindset does

Mindset Research is a privately held research and evaluation firm founded in 2010 in Amman, Jordan, by Rana Samara (Managing Director) and Anas Al Masri (Technical Director). The firm provides data collection, third-party monitoring (TPM), impact evaluation, baseline and endline studies, technical assistance, and program implementation services to international development organizations, UN agencies, bilateral donors, and government ministries. Its three operational pillars — Data Solutions (surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, ethnographies), Insight Solutions (analysis, TPM, verification, evaluations), and Action Solutions (program implementation, capacity building, sensitization, grant management) — function as an integrated service offering in which data collection feeds analysis and analysis informs implementation. Client deliverables have included 170,000+ skills mapping interviews, 60,000+ UNHCR refugee household assessments, and large-scale general population surveys across multiple countries.

The firm's underlying technology stack consists of data collection platforms, phone survey systems, a Jordan-based call center with Random Digit Dialing capability for general population studies, remote data collection tools, and quality assurance systems for real-time progress tracking during fieldwork. Operations span 9+ countries with formal entity registrations in Jordan (HQ, Amman), UAE (Dubai, 2017), Nigeria (Kano, 2018), and Ukraine (Kyiv, 2023), supported by field staff and consultant networks in Palestine, Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. The team of 35+ includes dedicated project management, technical delivery, research, data processing, operations, quality assurance, and business development units, with country-specific technical and operations leads.

Mindset's business model is B2B professional services revenue earned through project-based contracts awarded via competitive bidding, RFP responses, and subcontractor pass-throughs from prime implementers such as BCG, Chemonics, Tetra Tech, Creative Associates, and MSI. Anchor clients include USAID, World Bank, UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, IOM, GIZ, Tufts University, FHI 360, and government ministries (notably Jordan's Ministry of Education and National Aid Fund, and Dubai Culture). Distribution relies on direct enterprise engagement, conference participation, and a content-marketing website showcasing case studies, with 154+ cumulative clients served since founding. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured per project.

Name

Mindset

Legal name

Mindset Research

Website

https://mindset-res.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mindset Research is a Jordan-based research and evaluation firm providing data collection, third-party monitoring, and program implementation services to UN agencies, bilateral donors, and government ministries across the Middle East and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Research and Evaluation Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Management Consulting Services (541618), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian Coordination, Information Management & Needs Assessment (BPADADAL)

Keywords

• Research and evaluation services
• Humanitarian field research
• Data collection surveys
• Third-party monitoring services
• Development consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Amman

HQ country

Jordan

HQ region

Middle East

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Research and Evaluation Services: Provides end-to-end data collection, analysis, and management services to support large-scale humanitarian and development projects. Revenue generated through contracted research projects with international organizations, governments, and NGOs.
2. Third-Party Monitoring (TPM): Monitoring and evaluation services for development programs, including post-distribution monitoring, verification activities, and impact assessments.
3. Technical Assistance: Provides technical expertise and capacity building support to government ministries and organizations on research design, data collection, and analysis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Mindset is a research and evaluation firm that provides end-to-end data collection, analysis, and program implementation services for humanitarian and development organizations. The company delivers three integrated solution pillars: Data Solutions (customized surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographies), Insight Solutions (third-party monitoring, verification, evaluations, and analysis), and Action Solutions (program implementation, capacity building, sensitization campaigns, and grant management). Services are delivered through field staff and partners operating across the Middle East and Africa.

Product overview

Mindset is a research and evaluation firm offering three integrated service pillars: Data Solutions (surveys, focus groups, interviews, ethnographies), Insight Solutions (analysis, third-party monitoring, evaluations), and Action Solutions (program implementation, capacity building, grant management). The three solution areas work together as a unified service offering where data collection feeds into analysis and insight generation, which in turn informs program implementation and action.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Data Solutions End-to-end data collection services tailored to partners' needs, including surveys, focus group discussions, observations, in-depth interviews, and ethnographies, delivered through field teams across the Middle East and Africa.
• Insight Solutions Actionable information services for decision-makers, including data analysis, third-party monitoring (TPM), thorough verification activities, and rigorous impact and process evaluations.
• Action Solutions Program implementation services including capacity building, sensitization campaigns, expert grant management, and other positive change initiatives that translate research findings into action.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 154 clients served worldwide
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tufts UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTufts University manages the Nutrition Innovation Lab (NIL) globally and collaborates with Mindset as the local subcontractor for Jordan Nutrition Innovation Lab. Mindset contributes research and evaluation design expertise and manages large-scale project implementation.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for refugee vulnerability assessments and cash assistance monitoring in Jordan. Mindset conducts assessment home visits and VAF population studies for UNHCR.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for child-focused programs including Hajati cash transfer, education research, and child protection studies in Jordan and regionally.
• World Food Programme (WFP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtended partnership for food assistance and livelihood programs including skills mapping for refugees, food voucher evaluations, and Takaful program support.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementing Yemen Mobile Phone Survey and Municipal Services Project evaluation. World Bank contracts Mindset for data collection in complex operational environments.
• Boston Consulting GroupmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal Jordan partner for WFP food voucher evaluation study. Mindset provided field research capabilities for randomized controlled trial.
• ChemonicsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for Human Resources for Health research activity under USAID HRH2030 project in Jordan.
• Creative Associates InternationalmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for Jordan Technical Assistance Program (J-TAP) monitoring activities with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Youth.
• FHI 360coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFHI 360 designs and implements Jordan Nutrition Innovation Lab. Mindset serves as local subcontractor for research and evaluation.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships through USAID MESP, MELA, and various development activities including Takamol evaluation, private sector surveys, and general population studies.
• German Institute for Development Evaluation (DeVal)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContracted to capture data on Emergency COVID-19 Support Programme evaluation in Jordan and Lebanon.
• Samuel HallmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on Joint SDG Programme evaluation in Nigeria, combining Mindset's local expertise with Samuel Hall's evaluation methodology.
• IOMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThird-party monitoring partner for household rehabilitation assistance assessment in Ukraine.
• Empty (Architecture and Design)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent research and development partner for Dubai's Maritime Museum project. Mindset conducted research and developed museum narrative.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development organization partnership for various development and evaluation projects.
• Tetra TechmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUSAID MESP prime implementer; Mindset serves as local partner for data collection and surveys.
• Management System International (MSI)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for various USAID evaluation activities in Jordan.
• Mercy CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for development projects in Jordan.
• Save the ChildrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for child-focused development projects.
• NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for humanitarian projects and refugee support.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Madad project farmer registration survey in Jordan.
• Overseas Development Institute (ODI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for GAGE (Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence) longitudinal research.
• University of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Bayero University for street children study in Kano, Nigeria.
• Royal Tropical InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research partner for HRH study with Chemonics in Jordan.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oxford Policy Management: Development-focused research and policy consultancy active across Africa, Asia and MENA. Comparable in evaluation, impact assessment and technical assistance offerings to UN agencies, DFID/FCDO and the World Bank — the same buyer set Mindset targets.
• Genesis Analytics: Africa-headquartered development consulting firm providing evaluation, M&E and technical assistance across Sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable to Mindset's Nigerian operations, serving foundations, multilaterals and African governments.
• Itad: UK-headquartered M&E and learning consultancy serving bilateral donors, multilaterals and foundations. Comparable to Mindset in service mix (monitoring, evaluation, technical assistance) and target clients (DFID/FCDO, UN agencies, World Bank), though operating globally rather than MENA-focused.
• GeoPoll: Mobile-based survey and data collection platform focused on Africa and emerging markets. Directly comparable to Mindset's phone-survey/RDD methodology, serving NGOs, governments and development agencies with rapid remote data collection.
• Samuel Hall: Independent research and consulting firm focused on displacement, migration and development in MENA and Africa. Directly comparable to Mindset: same donor clients (USAID, World Bank, EU), same M&E and evaluation offerings, and explicitly listed as a Mindset partner on the Joint SDG Programme evaluation in Nigeria.

Broad incumbents

• Mathematica Policy Research: Major US M&E and policy research firm with extensive USAID, HHS and foundation work. Overlaps with Mindset on evaluation, third-party monitoring and data collection methodologies for development programs, though at much larger scale.
• Abt Associates: Global research and program implementation firm running multiple USAID M&E and impact-evaluation contracts in MENA and Africa. Comparable to Mindset in service pillars (research, monitoring, evaluation, technical assistance) but as a much larger prime contractor.
• Ipsos MENA: Global market and social research firm with significant MENA presence. Comparable to Mindset in survey design, large-scale data collection and analysis, but serves a much broader commercial and public-sector client base beyond the development sector.
• IMC Worldwide: International development consultancy providing M&E, surveys and technical assistance for DFID, World Bank and USAID. Comparable to Mindset across data collection, evaluation and capacity building offerings, especially in fragile-state contexts.
• NORC at the University of Chicago: Large US-based independent research institution with deep USAID and multilateral M&E practice including USAID MENA Evaluation and Study Activity (MESA). Significantly larger than Mindset but competing for the same USAID task orders and evaluation panels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mindsetjo
• Facebookfacebook.com/MindsetResearchMENA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mindset-research

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Mindset