In 2011, Syria’s tech scene, while small, had been slowly emerging. Syria’s tech industry remained extremely cautious, however, for fear the government would try to co-opt their enterprises, or crack down on them. Staying here was defeating him.”Despite these limitations, a handful of Syrian tech companies managed a level of breakthrough success during the war. To many Syrians, Hourani told Rest of World, these apps offered a glimpse of a more streamlined, contemporary way of living. But Moustafa, like other Syrian tech optimists, hopes that a new wave of innovation can help the country begin to bounce back.