2 Jordanian startups nominated to join Endeavor's network
Two Jordanian companies were nominated on Saturday to join Endeavor’s International Selection Panel, which will determine their entry into Endeavor’s portfolio (and its exclusive events and networks). Getting to this stage of the selection process though is already an unusual experience, read why here.
Luminus Education and Monojo are the two companies nominated during Endeavor Jordan’s 11th Local Selection Panel in Amman. The panel’s judging committee comprised six prominent Jordanian entrepreneurs who interviewed the three candidates and made their selections based on entrepreneurial spirit, the company’s success, and its need of Endeavor’s support.
During the interviews, candidates introduced their companies’ successes and their business models, while judges asked about challenges and future plans.
Founder Ibrahim Safadi (pictured right) represented his company Luminus Education, an educational company founded in 2007 to offer vocational and technical training in the region. Through Luminus, Safadi intends to fill the gap between conventional theoretical learning and market needs.
Luminus Education incorporates the following educational institutions: Al Quds college, which is a market-leading community college in Jordan, SAE Media Institute, Bell Center for English language, and the Arcana academy for training and development.
The six judges unanimously agreed that Safadi be moved to the next level because his company presents a practical solution to Arab dropouts, which makes it of high social impact.
Although Monojo has an academic end like Luminus, it is very different in its focus and purpose. Monojo, founded in 2005 by Penelope Shihab (pictured left and at the beginning of the article during her interview with Emile Qubeissi of Silicon Badia (left) and Karim Kaawar from Kaawar Group (right)), seeks to provide innovative biotech solutions through research and development. Several years after establishing her company, Shihab and her colleagues were able to produce Skinue, a treatment for acne made out of camel milk.
Shihab’s charismatic personality and innovative idea convinced the judges to nominate her along with Safadi.
When asked why she was keen to join Endeavor’s portfolio she said that she was ready to speak to the investors of Endeavor’s network. As for the reason behind her success, Shihab believes that her passion for science and her belief in Arab women’s capabilities were her main driving force.
The judging committee included Karim Kawar, president of Kawar Group, Emile Cubeisy, the managing partner of Silicon Badia, Akram Khreis, CEO of International Beverage Consultancy, Ramy Adwan, CEO of Electronic Health Solutions, Firas Kilani, a director at Ernst and Young, and finally Majied Qasim, cofounder and CEO of d1g.com.
Cubeisy advises entrepreneurs not to scale their business until they have already proven the success of their model, collected enough capital, and founded a strong team that understands the market and is prepared to expand.
Jordanian entrepreneurs who are interested in joining the Endeavor portfolio can apply here.
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