This document discusses challenges and opportunities for innovation in Jordan. It summarizes previous studies on Jordan's national innovation system and policy. It outlines the roles of key institutions in academia, research, government, and commercialization in building innovation capacity. These include the Princess Sumaya University of Technology, the Royal Scientific Society, the Higher Council of Science and Technology, and the Business Park, LLC. The document also describes iPARK, an innovation park that has created jobs and partnerships, and discusses opportunities to invest in Jordanian startups and diaspora entrepreneurs. Overall, it analyzes that Jordan has a wealth of research and recommendations on innovation but needs political will and execution to realize its potential for competitiveness.

1. Dr. Wissam Rabadi
Executive Director
Challenges and Opportunities
June 21st , 2013

2. Education/
R&D
(investment)
Innovation
(process)
Entrepreneurship
(attitude)
Economic
Value
(outcome)
Value Creation Value Capturing

7. National Institutional
Program Capacity

9.  “A Practical Guide to Wealth Creation: Proposals for an Innovation Policy
for Jordan” commissioned by the Euro-Jordanian Action for Enterprise
Development (EJADA), 2006
 “Study on the National Innovation System in Jordan”, commissioned by the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) , 2009
 “A Candid Review of Jordan’s Innovation Policy”, commissioned by the
World Bank/Korean Development Institute, 2011
 “National Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy 2011-2016”,
Commissioned by the Higher Council for Science and Technology, 2011

11. Princess Sumaya
University of Technology
(Academia)
The Royal
Scientific Society
(Research)
The Higher Council of
Science & Technology
(Government)
The Business Park, LLC
(Commercialization)
IPR Protection
Tech Transfer
Industry-University
Capacity Building
Competition
Culture
Physical Space
Startup Support
Growth
Early-stage Finance
Mentoring
Entrepreneurship
Center
IP Office Incubator Angel Network

12. Concept Masterplan
COMMERCIAL
USE ZONE
iPARK
ADMINISTRATION
AND TRAINING ZONE
RSS RESEARCH /
LABORATORY ZONE
PRINCESS SUMAYA
UNIVERSITY OF
TECHNOLOGY
JORDAN
UNIVERSITY
CONVENTION /
ACCOMMODATION
ZONE
AMENITIES /
AMPHITHEATRE
CULTURAL
INSTITUTIONS
AREA SUMMARY
Existing Area: 45,000 sf
5-Year Buildout: 35,000 sf
Future Capacity: 215,000 sf

13. •Cities4
•Activity Partners20+
•Activities30+
•Participants5K
•PR Campaign$50K
•Ad Campaign$75K
Partnerships
Activities
Results
Ranked No. 1 In the MENA
Ranked No.16 Globally

18. • Invest in Jordanian startups
• Help them grow worldwide
• Identify Diaspora Entrepreneurs
• Help them get established in Jordan
Silicon Valley

19. Companies
Incubated
Jobs
Created
Knowledge-Based
High Value-Added Jobs
Export Oriented
ICT, Clean Tech
If iPARK was a Company, it would’ve been among
the largest 10 companies in Jordan
Market
Value

20.  Innovation  Competitiveness
 Need for a National Innovation Policy
 Wealth of Research, Analysis and Recommendations
 Good Understanding of Challenges and Solutions
 Political Well, Resource Allocation and Execution
 Success Stories
 Future Opportunities