"Innovation Village Launched To Showcase National Talent, Advance Knowledge Economy

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, August 6 (Petra) -- A major national initiative aimed at advancing entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic modernization was launched on Tuesday with the inauguration of the "Jordanian Innovation Village" Conference and Exhibition, held at the Jordan International Exhibition Center in Amman.
The event was officially opened by Samira Al-Zoubi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, who emphasized the government's ongoing commitment to empowering youth-led innovation, expanding access to funding opportunities, and strengthening the ecosystem for entrepreneurial development.
Organized by the Academia-Industry Integration Platform (JAIP), in collaboration with the Association of Retired Military Engineers and the Jordanian Association for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity, and supported by Al-Rawae International for Exhibitions and Conferences, the two-day event runs in parallel with the 18th International Jordan Build Exhibition, which focuses on construction technology, engineering industries, and energy.
Designed as a national platform, the Innovation Village seeks to bridge the gap between academia, entrepreneurship, and industry. Its objectives include marketing high-potential startup projects, fostering synergy between innovation and production sectors, and enhancing cooperation between public and private institutions.
The initiative also aligns with the broader Economic Modernization Vision, which positions innovation and entrepreneurship as foundational pillars of Jordan's future economy.
Mohammad Al-Rifa'i, President of the Association of Retired Military Engineers, described the initiative as a reflection of Jordan's strategic pivot toward a knowledge-based economy, driven by creativity and scientific advancement.
Rida Khawaldeh, President of the Jordanian Association for Scientific Research, Entrepreneurship, and Creativity, noted that the event is part of a national response to His Majesty King Abdullah II's vision of an innovation-led economy, and supports Crown Prince Hussein's directive to empower youth and establish Jordan as a regional center for entrepreneurship.
He added that the Innovation Village represents more than an exhibition space it serves as a national platform for connecting innovators, entrepreneurs, and institutional partners. Of 120 submitted startup projects, 20 standout ventures were selected based on rigorous criteria that measured innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and alignment with modernization priorities.
The exhibition also includes four dedicated innovation showcases hosted by the University of Jordan's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Center of Excellence for Creative Projects at Jordan University of Science and Technology, the Innovation and Development Center at the Public Security Directorate, and the Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB).
Khawaldeh further highlighted the association's work since its founding in 1999 to institutionalize a culture of scientific research across Jordanian society.
Speaking at the event, Khaled Khreisat, Chair of the Conference and Founder of the organizing platform, praised the initiative as a replicable model for national entrepreneurship promotion. He pointed to Jordan's strong international performance in early-stage entrepreneurship, ranking second globally in the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report, alongside a noticeable rise in participation among women and youth aged 18–34 in launching startups.
During the opening ceremony, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship Sami Samirat toured the exhibition and engaged with the selected entrepreneurial teams, highlighting the government's interest in scalable, innovation-driven ventures that align with Jordan's long-term development objectives.
The conference and exhibition are open to the public free of charge for two days, offering a space for knowledge-sharing, networking, and showcasing Jordan's emerging generation of innovators and startup founders.

MENAFN06082025000117011021ID1109891889