Amman: Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Asari Hideki sponsored the closing ceremony of the "NINJA - Next Innovation with Japan" project at Al Hussein Technical University (HTU), with backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The event gathered a wide range of participants, including public and private sector representatives, business leaders, and local and international investors.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ceremony was attended by HTU President Ismail Al-Hinti, Abdulqader Al-Bataineh from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, and former Jordanian Ambassador to Japan Lina Annab. The event showcased the outcomes of a several-month-long program involving 10 Jordanian startups that successfully completed the implementation phase. These startups impacted over 7,500 beneficiaries from diverse groups, including youth, women, and underprivileged communities, through intensive capacity-building programs, specialized mentoring, and technical and operational support.
During the event, startups presented their business models to a specialized judging panel, focusing on the social and economic impact of their projects and their future growth and expansion plans. Ambassador Asari reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable growth in Jordan through innovation and entrepreneurship. He stressed the importance of empowering youth, women, and underprivileged groups, acknowledging the participating companies' ability to turn challenges into innovative, high-impact solutions. He also expressed hope for enhanced cooperation between Jordanian startups and the Japanese market.
JICA's Chief Representative in Jordan, Morihata Shingo, stated that the NINJA project reflects the agency's commitment to supporting startup ecosystems and strengthening innovation as a pathway to sustainable economic opportunities. He highlighted the capacity of Jordanian startups to develop impactful local solutions with strong growth potential.
Nader Naemeh, Chairman of Migreat, the project's implementing partner in Jordan, noted that the event marks a transitional milestone for participating startups as they move into new development stages, opening doors for networking and partnership-building with investors and the private sector. The ceremony featured specialized networking sessions aimed at building partnerships, alongside presentations of success stories and achieved impact, in collaboration with partners from both public and private sectors.
Hassan Zaabalawi, founder and CEO of Tech-Care, which won first place, shared that participation in the NINJA project helped refine the company's technological solution, align it with market needs, and strengthen its social impact, paving the way for regional expansion, particularly in the healthcare sector. Launched in 2020 with JICA's support, the "NINJA - Next Innovation with Japan" project aims to support and develop startup ecosystems in developing countries by building capacities, providing incubation, and enabling social and economic innovation to help create inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities.