Orange, Int@j announce EU-funded Startups’ Landscape and Gap Analysis results

AMMAN — Orange Jordan and Information and Communication Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j) have announced the results of the Startups Landscape and Gap Analysis study, launched by int@j and StartupJo on behalf of the Innovation Space project, according to a statement from Orange.

The project is a three-year programme co-funded by the European Union’s Innovation for Enterprise Growth and Jobs programme – “Innovate Jordan”.

Over three months, the study classified 275 startups within 21 main verticals including e-commerce, health technology, fintech, sportstech, agritech, cybersecurity, AI, aiming to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Jordan. The results will be updated periodically and made available on int@j’s website, the statement said.

Int@j stated that qualified startups should be based in Jordan, provide intellectual property-based products or solutions, and be in the startup phase whether registered or not to join the study. According to the study, 57 per cent of startups are in five main verticals. 

The study showed that 60 per cent of the participating startups are in the growth phase, 25 per cent have a minimum viable product, while the rest are between idea, pre-MVP and prototyping. Female participation in the startups reached 40 per cent, and 35 per cent of the startups joined an incubator or an accelerator.

Int@j launched the study with Orange Jordan’s support and an advisory committee, comprising the Crown Prince Foundation, Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Youth, Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) and Jordan Investment Commission.

The study’s result will contribute to paving the way for more successful Jordanian startups, as it helps understand the Kingdom’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and the main verticals that have future opportunities for growth and expansion, read the statement.

This study comes in line with Orange Jordan’s focus on the entrepreneurship sector for its active role in socioeconomic development and creating job opportunities for years to come, according to the statement.

The European Union-funded the “Innovation Space” is a pioneering initiative in Jordan and a one-stop-shop for digital innovation and entrepreneurial support. It will introduce digital culture to the wider Jordanian public, foster digital skills, especially among women and youth, and promote and nurture entrepreneurship by identifying key opportunities for digital economic growth, concluded the statement.