AMMAN — The
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and entrepreneurship-oriented
company Changelabs on Tuesday announced the launch of the
LevelUp Accelerator.
اضافة اعلان
This 7-8 month
long program aims to support Jordanian entrepreneurs and givethem access to
global markets while sustainably advancing Jordanian industries.
“We want to
encourage young and other entrepreneurs in Jordan to become makers… to
contribute to their economy and to the competitiveness of Jordan,” said Karim
Samra, CEO and founder of Changelabs, in a webinar announcing the launch of the
program.
“We want to help
you, makers, launch your projects and bring them to the market,” he added.
He believes that
these efforts will help the economy and competitiveness of Jordan as a country,
which is critical for both Jordan and the MENA region at large.
The program
emphasized the need to boost job creation for both youth and women.
Participants in
the accelerator will be given access to a “global network of people,” including
regular mentors, coaches, and experts.
The LevelUp
Accelerator focuses on three industries: fashion and garments, natural
cosmetics, and phytopharmaceuticals (herbal medicines).
It starts with a
series of free master classes that are open to the public and intended to “give
[participants] a taste, to get [them] started on this journey,” and to
introduce general concepts relevant to entrepreneurs, according to Samra.
One masterclass
will focus on design thinking, while another will address the circular economy.
The second stage
is an e-learning program that is open only to the top 50 applicants. This is
made up of two cohorts: incubators for start-ups and accelerators for small and
medium enterprises (SMEs).
Toward the end of
the program, the top 10 applicants will be given access to Italian and other
European markets as “champions of digital change.”
Speakers at
Tuesday’s online event included Lebanese nutritionist Dr Angie Kassabie,
founder of nutrition consultancy Angie’s; Dania Dahleh, founder of Amman-based
sustainable clothing brand Enorm World; and Zayna Hamarmeh, CEO and founder of
Mode Marketing and PR.
Applications for the LevelUp
Accelerator program will close in mid-July.
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