
Jordan Source propels local innovators to the global stage in a collaboration with Antler MENA
The MoDEE program hosted a dedicated event on January 22, connecting Antler MENA with over 20 Jordanian entrepreneurs and startups. The exclusive gathering resulted in a group of promising founders being chosen to join the residency, where they will receive mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and connections to global networks.
To further demonstrate Jordan's dynamic ICT landscape, Jordan Source hosted a webinar on January 29 for Antler's partner network. 22 entrepreneurs from the Gulf and the Levant were in attendance, gaining insights into the Kingdom's thriving tech ecosystem and its strategic positioning as a regional ICT hub.
The webinar featured key speakers from MoDEE and its programs. Dana Darwish, Program Manager at Jordan Source, discussed government policies supporting businesses, emphasizing their impact on fostering the tech landscape. Meanwhile, Amira Qarqash, Digital Skills Development Manager representing the Youth, Technology, and Jobs (YTJ) Project, highlighted the project's role in enhancing ICT career readiness through digital curriculum for schools, showcasing the program's reach and achievements. Odeh Haddadin, Digital Business Sector Manager at YTJ, outlined incentives for businesses in Jordan, such as access to skilled talent, market expansion, intermediary grants, and tech hubs, explaining how these resources contribute to attracting investment and drive economic growth.
These events build on Jordan Source's successful visit to Singapore last year, where MoDEE representatives, led by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, met with numerous Singaporean businesses, organizations, and government officials to explore joint opportunities. Antler Singapore connected Jordan Source with Antler MENA, leading to their collaboration on these events, which stand as the culmination of a full year of discussions and reflect Jordan Source's ongoing commitment to highlighting the Kingdom's talent and potential.
ABOUT JORDAN SOURCE
Jordan Source is a program that aims to promote Jordan as an ideal destination for investments and outsourcing in the ICT sector, providing a wealth of support services to international businesses and investors, while elevating Jordan's wellspring of young ICT talent onto a global stage. Developed under the Youth, Technology, and Jobs (YTJ) project of the Jordanian Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, in line with the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, Jordan Source seeks to connect businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the globe with the resources they need to grow, thrive, and flourish—all while highlighting the Kingdom's abundance of young professionals, its exceptional investment environment, and its world-class infrastructure and resources.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
As the years go by, when should your business replace its PC hardware?
Common sense dictates that South African businesses hold onto their technology for as long as possible. In the face of turbulent market conditions and economic uncertainty, as well as the fact that they can represent a significant upfront capital investment, PC hardware needs to deliver as much value as possible and be capable of supporting modern business operations in the long term. Werner Joubert, Commercial SYS business director (South Africa and SADC) at Asus But what happens when that hardware starts to show its age? Telltale signs and helpful tips Upgrading hardware may feel like a grudge purchase in the moment, but the fact is that upgrading comes as a result of a company's technology stack no longer being able to fully meet its digital and IT needs or is hurting its business activities or operations in an optimised manner. Some of the signs that it's time to upgrade your PC include: - Outdated platforms: If your device is unable to run the latest versions of essential business platforms and applications, then it's time to upgrade. A prime example of this is the upcoming end-of-life deadline for Windows 10, which is prompting many users to upgrade to devices that can run Windows 11. - Application performance: As application workloads become more hardware-intensive, users may discover their older hardware cannot run them optimally. Apps may be slow to start up and run, negatively impacting business and users' productivity. - Multitasking: With businesses relying more and more on digital-first functions and processes, users may find themselves unable to carry out multiple tasks on their PCs at the same time, further impacting productivity and performance. - Noise and heat: Constant noise from a PC's fan signals the PC is generating a lot of heat, which can indicate that it is working overtime to carry out computational tasks. That all said, businesses can also take steps to prolong the lifespan of their devices without having to outright replace them. This includes keeping the devices clean and free of dust, which can lead to overheating, regularly defragmenting and reformatting hard drives, keeping them in cool, dry working environments. Users should also adhere to optimised power and battery life management practices, while businesses can also upgrade components (if possible) such as Ram and storage. A lifecycle well spent With the help of a formal PC lifecycle policy, South African businesses can better manage the lifespan of their devices, starting with the initial purchase planning and ending with their decommissioning and ethical disposal. This includes several important practices. For example, businesses should base the length of PC lifecycles on workloads and users' needs. Not every organisation or user is equally reliant on their hardware, so businesses should deploy a uniform distribution system where possible, meaning they should procure and allocate devices based on groups' and departments' individual use cases (e.g. a programmer requires a PC with high advanced computational capabilities while a salesperson needs a PC with levels of portability and good battery life). By doing so, businesses can also track device warranties and oversee support options, ensuring everyone in the organisation remains connected and capable of fulfilling their digital responsibilities. A lifecycle policy also creates the opportunity for businesses to integrate their technology into their organisation's greater sustainability goals and objectives. Knowing when and how to replace PC hardware (i.e. e-waste) can align with businesses' initiatives to lower their carbon footprints and minimise the impact of their operations on the environment. Upgrade strategically to stay competitive, innovative, and agile Never underestimate the impact of old or outdated hardware on business continuity, with devices unable to fully leverage the latest generation of enterprise applications (and that includes new technologies such as AI, which marks a turning point in multiple industries across South Africa) or process-intensive workloads. The result is not just a rig that's slow to boot up, but a liability that hinders overall productivity and performance. By keeping up to date and investing in capable, up-to-date hardware, local businesses can remain competitive in their respective industries, reinforce their ability to innovate using digital platforms and solutions, and be agile towards shifting consumer and market needs and expectations.

Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
African Development Bank awards $1 million grant to support green skills development for South Africans, with focus on youth
The African Development Bank ( through the Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), has awarded a $1 million grant to South Africa's National Business Initiative (NBI) to strengthen efforts to build a dynamic, demand-led skills ecosystem that enables South Africans, particularly young people, to access emerging job opportunities in the green economy. South Africa continues to face significant challenges in youth employment, with StatisticsSA ( reporting that 46.1% of young people aged 15 to 34 were unemployed in the first quarter of 2025. The funding will support the country's Just Energy Transition Skilling for Employment Programme (JET SEP), led by the National Business Initiative in partnership with the management consultancy Boston Consulting Group. The initiative coordinates private sector efforts to prepare the workforce for the energy transition, in tandem with the government's JET Skilling Implementation Plan, focused on inclusive workforce development and sustainable job creation. Specifically, the grant will finance the programme's first phase, including feasibility studies for the design of skills development zones and capacity building within the public technical and vocational education and training system. Skills development zones will anchor the delivery of inclusive skills and foster local economic growth during the country's just-energy transition. Launched in 2024 and endorsed by the JET Project Management Unit under the presidency of the Government of South Africa, JET SEP has garnered support from over 30 influential South African CEOs, public sector leaders, and civil society leaders in the past year. Of the grant, Kennedy Mbekeani, African Development Bank Director General for Southern Africa, said: "By linking a strong private sector coalition – the engine for job creation – with government, academia, and NGOs, the FAPA grant will play a catalytic role to support informed policy decisions in skills development and labour market programmes. It will also strengthen skills development efforts for the growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the creation of jobs for youth in South Africa's green economy." The grant builds on the African Development Bank's significant investment in South Africa's energy sector. Since 2007, the Bank has invested $3.4 billion to support energy infrastructure, including renewable energy. The current grant will support the government's efforts to identify the skills needed for the sector, with a particular focus on renewable energy. Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative, said: 'This grant from the African Development Bank is a critical step toward turning vision into action, strengthening the national skills system, and ensuring that all South Africans are equipped to seize new opportunities in the green economy. We are proud to continue working alongside our partners and stakeholders to build an inclusive future-ready workforce and to stimulate local economies in a way that leaves no one behind.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media contact: African Development Bank: Emeka Anuforo, Communication and External Relations Department, media@ NBI: Siphokuhle Mkancu, IRM Engagement&Communications Manager: Economic Inclusion, SiphokuhleM@ +27 76 1292 511 About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:


Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development launches ‘Future Entrepreneur' program to enhance entrepreneurship skills
Abu Dhabi: The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is launching tomorrow, July 4, 2025, the 'Future Entrepreneur' program to foster entrepreneurship skills among the youth aged between 6 and 18. The key objectives of the program includes fostering innovation, empowering young people with financial management skills and building a new generation of national entrepreneurs using tools for excellence in a practical environment under the guidance of a committee of experts. The program is projected to attract 5,000 participants and develop 2,500 entrepreneurial projects and 1,000 small ventures under the 'Future Entrepreneurs Permit' initiative, launched by the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), an arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) to develop and regulate the business sector, over the next five years. It follows a comprehensive process to select exceptional young entrepreneurs based on their eligibility, thinking methodology, creativity and performance. It mainly focuses on innovative problem-solvers and young individuals with the capability to make a long-term impact on Abu Dhabi's economic ecosystem. The program aims to support participants within certain age groups to innovate, develop and sell products and services in a realistic environment. Through this program, participants will receive expert guidance and feedback, helping them reach an idea pitching stage, where they can showcase products and services in a marketplace to promote and sell them and win awards. The training camp, under the program, enables participants to apply their acquired skills in real markets across various key fields, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, pre-owned goods market and food and beverage kiosks. The camp will also include a stringent evaluation system to recognise exceptional talents and qualify them to be part of 'Builders of Future Launchpad.' Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said, 'The Future Entrepreneur program is a testament to our wise leadership's progressive vision to support young talents, investing in programs to make them future leaders. Through this initiative, we aim to foster a culture of innovation among youth and reinforce national entrepreneurship, which is one of the key pillars of national economy and a driver of its sustainable growth and diversification. Furthermore, we seek to offer an enabling ecosystem to transform the aspirations of the participants into success stories at the beginning stage itself, allowing them to grow as successful entrepreneurs and create a lasting impact across Abu Dhabi's major sectors.' The initiative is going to start with an opening ceremony, in "Nabd Al Falah" Center in Al Falah City, offering participants an opportunity to register and select their preferred pathway under the 'Inventor' or 'Trader' categories. The selected participants can then engage in a two-week summer camp and gain practical knowledge in pricing and brand development. The program will extend over a four-week period beginning mid-July, with two extensive study days per week. It seeks to nurture skills of young individuals in areas of idea generation, prototype development, budget planning, storytelling and digital tools. About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development: The Khalifa Fund is an independent, non-profit organisation affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Government. Its mission is to nurture the culture of entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and offer support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UAE through a balanced ecosystem. Founded in 2007 in accordance with Law No. 14 of 2005 and its amendments, the Fund was established to align with the vision of the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former President of the United Arab Emirates.