alwakaai news : Throughout 2025-year, Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) continued its role as a leading campus for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Jordan, and as a hub that supports ideas while equipping youth with the tools needed to develop their skills and projects. The year marked an exceptional chapter for the ZINC, characterized by expanded partnerships, innovative programs, and an active presence across the Kingdom’s most prominent conferences and events.

ZINC began 2025 with the launch of its new digital platform, ZINC.JO, a significant step toward advancing digital transformation and leveraging technology to empower youth and entrepreneurs to access opportunities and expand their networks. Since its launch, the platform, utilized by thousands, has brought together all stakeholders within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, youth, students, mentors, experts, and founders. It enables collaboration, learning, and growth within a unified environment, while providing access to events, achievement sharing, meeting scheduling, and tailored mentorship services that support entrepreneurial development.

In 2025, ZINC also launched a new edition of 'Zain Al Mubadara”, one of its flagship annual programs supporting innovators and startup founders through two tracks: entrepreneurial ideas and startups. where, ZINC provided JOD 75,000 in financial support, allocating JOD 15,000 for each entrepreneurial idea and JOD 10,000 for each startup, in addition to a full year of incubation and logistical support. The current edition included three entrepreneurial ideas, RehabLex, LeafleX, and UNIFLIX, and three startups, Bab Plus, OrganicG, and Avancer AI. With this, the total number of startups supported by ZINC since its establishment in 2014 has reached 253 startups. ZINC also announced the launch of the next edition of the program, through which JOD 100,000 will be allocated to support ideas and startups.

Among the year’s most significant milestones was the launch of the final edition of Jordan Startup Ecosystem Report (2018–2024), developed through a collaboration between ZINC, Wamda, and Beyond Capital. The report serves as a comprehensive national reference documenting the evolution of entrepreneurship in Jordan. It was unveiled during a special event held under the patronage of the Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, Eng. Sami Smeirat, and attended by policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, and representatives of supporting institutions. The report is now available in both Arabic and English languages on ZINC website (zinc.jo).

ZINC further strengthened its strategic partnerships, which now total approximately 150 strategic partners, most notably its long-standing partnership with the Crown Prince Foundation. This collaboration resulted in the establishment of a joint innovation campus in Aqaba in 2025, expanding ZINC’s geographic footprint and supporting the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in southern Jordan. ZINC also served as a strategic partner for the second edition of Sanaye’ Forum, announced its strategic partnership with '42 Irbid” program specializing in computer science and programming, officially inaugurated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, and sponsored 'Tawasul 2025 , Dialogue on Reality and Aspirations” forum, held under HRH’s patronage with broad participation from youth and decision-makers.

As part of its ongoing partnership with Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship (QRCE) at Princess Sumaya University for Technology, ZINC renewed its support for the 15th edition of the Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition. ZINC also sponsored the 17th edition of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Jordan, during which a series of training sessions were conducted across ZINC’s branches, benefiting approximately 1,381 students and entrepreneurs.

ZINC further reinforced its presence as a strategic partner in major national conferences, sponsoring 'ExAI’25 – Institutional Excellence in an AI-Driven Environment” conference in Petra, in addition to the Cybersecurity Advancement, Technology, and Innovation Conference and Exhibition (C8 2025). These conferences enabled the startups Avancer and Skids, supported by ZINC, to showcase their innovative solutions in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to industry leaders and investors. ZINC also facilitated the participation of Algebra Intelligence and Darbcom in Jordan International Freight Forwarding, Shipping, and Logistics Exhibition (JIFEX 2025) held in Aqaba, with wide local, regional, and international participation.

Regionally, ZINC participated in Zain Great Idea entrepreneurial program launched by Zain Group—one of the region’s leading technology startup acceleration platforms—by organizing intensive training bootcamps for participants. Jordanian startup Avancer.AI, which specializes in detecting fake digital content and manipulated media, qualified for the global acceleration stage in Palo Alto, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.

In supporting the next generation of youth and university students, ZINC continued implementing Jordanian Young Entrepreneurs Society (YESJO) program for public and private school students. The program was delivered across four locations: ZINC’s main branch at King Hussein Business Park in Amman, Yarmouk University in Irbid, Mutah University in Karak, and ZINC Aqaba at the Great Arab Revolt Plaza, with 89 students participating. ZINC also organized a wide range of workshops, training sessions, and dialogue events across its university branches, delivered by leading local and international trainers and speakers, attracting thousands of students. As a result, the total number of beneficiaries from ZINC’s activities reached nearly 400,000 by the end of 2025. The platform also supported several university initiatives, most notably the Mutah University Entrepreneurship Hackathon, which engaged 114 university students. In the field of technical education, ZINC launched the third edition of the 'Cybersecurity Skills Development Program” in collaboration with Cyber Shield Academy at Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB). The program was implemented across ZINC branches at Mutah, Yarmouk, Hashemite, Jordan, and Al-Balqa Applied universities, in addition to Aqaba governorate and the Public Security Directorate, further strengthening participants’ capabilities in one of today’s most critical technology fields. ZINC also organized the 'Innovation for Persons with Disabilities” Hackathon, which aimed to develop technology-based solutions that promote empowerment and inclusion, with participation from nine teams.

Supporting Jordan’s local design sector, ZINC continued empowering creative talents through DeZain Space program, supporting 72 new local designers in fashion, crafts, and handmade products, while enabling them to participate in major bazaars and events across the Kingdom.

In line with the growing prominence of audio content, ZINC served as a strategic partner for 'Ka‘dah Tech” podcast, a leading platform that explores emerging trends in technology, artificial intelligence, and innovation through in-depth discussions with experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

With this strong momentum of achievements, Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) concluded 2025 to welcome the new year having firmly established its position as a national leading platform that brings together entrepreneurs, youth, and startups under one umbrella. As it marks 11 years since its establishment, ZINC reaffirms its commitment to expanding its services, forging new strategic partnerships, and launching more impactful programs in the years ahead, driving innovation, empowering youth, and contributing to the growth of Jordan’s entrepreneurial economy.