Microsoft has signed an agreement with Amman-based Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Knowledge Society, Shabakat Al Ordon, int@j and Meydan to support ICT start ups and entrepreneurs as part of its innovation academy program.

The program, the second phase of the BizSpark program and an initiative launched by the Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC), is a learning path for startups and entrepreneurs designed to help participants in the initial phases of a start-up and enable them to move to the next step in developing their projects.

It has three main pillars: Business (where the focus is on developing skills in software business planning, sales and marketing, and HR); Operations (focused on software development practices, services execution management, agile methodologies, and performance measurement) and finally Technology (which is focused on developing technical skills).

The agreement was inked under the patronage of Marwan Jumaa, Minister of Information and Communications Technology (MoICT).

The MoU signed between Microsoft and its partners will create a set of policy recommendations and define the business, operations and technical tracks of the program that will support the sustainability and the successful execution of the Innovation Academy.

Rula Ammuri, country manager of Microsoft Jordan said the company was committed to providing start ups and entrepreneurs in the ICT sector with all the support they need to drive the growth of the local software economy.

'The MoU will lead to combining the expertise of Microsoft with that of leading and respected business and training entities that will provide the program’s participants with a comprehensive set of skills that will enable their businesses to grow, achieve sustainability and become profitable,' Rula noted.

Microsoft will be providing participants with access to its technologies, technical support and various other offline and online resources to enable their development of the technical aspects. Microsoft’s partners in the program will provide participants with support in developing their skills in business, operations and investor relations, she added.

Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and CEO of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, expressed his delight at the program saying, “As the head of an international consortium for ICT and development in the UN, I would like to commend you all on this partnership and wish you all the success as a leading example that will achieve the goals we share.”

Azzam Shweihat, chairman of Shabakat Al Ordon, stated, 'We became partners in the BizSpark program two months ago and we will work hand in hand with Microsoft and its esteemed partners to implement a number of programs for small businesses related to internet programs, software and mobile application.'

'We will provide them with a comprehensive learning path in technology, management and operations and will offer access to all our resources and capabilities to ensure the success of the Microsoft Innovation Academy,' he added.

Ayman Mazahreh, chairman of Int@j, said, “We continuously work at int@j to support start-ups to ensure they have a real contribution to the ICT sector. We hope to see this program achieve its goals in accelerating the success of startups in the ICT sector, which will open a door to further innovative projects and ideas that will lead to positioning Jordan on the map of advanced countries in ICT,” he noted.

Maher Kaddoura, founder and chairman of Meydan, said, “We are very excited to be involved in this program with Microsoft as we share the same belief in the talents and capabilities of the youth and entrepreneurs in Jordan and those around the region, and are happy to provide them with all the support and guidance they need to create new and successful businesses and contribute to the further development and advancement of ICT in the Arab world.”-TradeArabia News Service