AMMAN (October 21) –Microsoft Jordan and the USAID Jordan Competitiveness Program (USAID JCP) honored six teams of young Jordanian programmers today for the innovative tech solutions they developed while participating in the Microsoft Academic Accelerator Program.

The six-month accelerator program equips participants with the technical skills to design, launch, and sustain their own ventures, or find jobs that make use of their talents. The training was held at the Microsoft Innovation Center, housed at the Royal Scientific Society. 

The six winning projects addressed a range of consumer and retailer needs, from point-of-sale payment solutions to an online pitching platform that connects start-ups with investors. One application, called “Bisque,” allows users to send video and photo files to other devices using only a simple hand motion. 

The ceremony, held at the InterContinental Hotel, brought together more than 150 tech industry stakeholders, including private companies, Microsoft partners, investors, accelerators, and incubators, in addition to 80 graduates of the training program. The graduates had a chance to network and showcase their projects for potential investment.

USAID JCP’s Chief of Party, Wissam Rabadi, said the Microsoft Jordan partnership, which began in March of this year, aimed “to enhance the ICT sector’s competitiveness in Jordan by creating a pool of new talent in cloud computing and app development for interested investors.”

Microsoft Jordan Country Manager, Hussein Malhas, said, “Our partnership with USAID JCP derives its strength from our shared goals and common vision for the future, and, through this alliance, Microsoft Jordan has taken one step closer to achieving our national plan of developing and expanding economic capabilities in Jordan.”