A partnership led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) announced the launch of The LevelUP Accelerator Gate III and the 15 SMEs that Seedstars will support to scale game-changing and successful business models to enter global markets. Participating entrepreneurs will benefit from a fully-fledged acceleration program over the course of 12 weeks. For more information about the program and the selected startup, visit https://levelupjordan.org/. 

The 12-week accelerator will be implemented by UNIDO in partnership with Seedstars and funded by AICS  to support the creation and growth of sustainable and inclusive businesses in Jordan. 

The goal is to provide support for the SMEs to scale the product and go to market, with a particular focus on empowering women and young Jordanian entrepreneurs that have the right skills, network, and training to grow in the sectors of garment and fashion, natural cosmetics, and food supplements, through coaching and mentoring, and by leveraging digital tools. 

Through the program, entrepreneurs will be mentored by experienced entrepreneurs and field experts; connect participants to relevant experts and mentors that would help them leverage their business network and improve their activities; and award 10 startups as the Champions of Digital Change. 

The 15 startups joining the LevelUP Accelerator are the following:

• FabricAID is a social enterprise that collects, sorts, cleans, redistributes, and up-cycles clothing and textiles in Lebanon, Jordan, and (soon) Egypt. 
• COTONYAT.COM is an e-commerce company that was established to fulfill consumers’ need for basic clothes. 
• Sawwah is a platform that enables stronger impact of tourism on local economic development through the design and delivery of authentic personalized experiences. ● Nisa Lisa is a Jordanian brand focused on developing and producing 100% natural-based products that treat all skin and hair conditions effectively and meet international standards and regulations. 
• Fairouz Bee Care develops bee-based skincare products, handmade by pharmacist Fairouz Anabtawi, with all-natural ingredients. 
• Juman is a Pharmaceutical and Cosmetics Manufacturing Factory that integrates the latest manufacturing techniques and maintains high-quality standards for its products. It has established itself as a leader in the field of private label manufacturing in Jordan. 
• Glory Dead Sea, established in 1990, was the first company that started producing Dead Sea products in Jordan. 
• Ashtar manufactures Dead Sea products for a variety of prestigious companies, including department stores, salons, health stores, direct manufacturing companies, national brand companies, resorts, and hotels, as well as smaller startups and individuals. 
• Aqabawi is a community-based, youth-led enterprise that introduces visitors from throughout Jordan and the world to the unique culture and history of Aqaba, Jordan’s Jewel on the Red Sea. 
• BioEnergyTech is a pioneer manufacturer of high-quality, research-proven nutraceuticals and healthcare products. BioEnergyTech has a unique range of over 40 registered products, covering several areas of health indications, including several products that have been pioneered in the global market. 
• Green Fields Oils started as an oil press for seeds and nuts in 2004 with the intent of bringing pure and natural health products to the market. It also manufactures steam distilled oils, hydrosols, seeds, paste-like tahini and black seed paste, sea salts, vegan food supplements, natural soaps, gluten-free flours like coconut and almond flour. 
• Bloom Dead Sea Gift Enterprise specialized in manufacturing and supplying Dead Sea natural range of health and beauty products under the brand name BLOOM Dead Sea Life and BLOOM Royal Touch. 
• Bunni seeks to merge the vivacity of the European specialty coffee tradition with the rich and dynamic Middle Eastern coffee-drinking culture. 
• Dana Rousan Jewellery offers a wide selection of contemporary statement design pieces that are delicately handmade and crafted in 18kt gold & sterling silver, catering for adventurous women, charismatic gentlemen, and kids who ‘wanna’ have fun. 
• Kima is a Jordanian Manufacturer of household detergents, soaps, medical supplies, and personal care products. Kima markets its products under its own brands. It also provides private-label manufacturing. Kima is established in 1977. 

The accelerator is a part of the larger LevelUp – Advancing Jordanian Industries multi-component project aimed at creating decent job opportunities for women and youth. It is delivered in partnership with Jordan’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply and national stakeholders, including Seedstars,

Bridge for Billions, Idea APP, Jordan Exports, JEDCO, and Business and Professional Women Association – Amman (BPWA). 

The project runs in line with Jordan’s 2025 Economic Development Plan and brings together public and private sectors to create game-changing opportunities for Jordanian entrepreneurs and helps establish long term partnerships with national and international stakeholders. The project is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, and is powered by UNIDO’s flagship program, Promoting women empowerment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in the MENA region. 

For more information about the program, visit https://levelupjordan.org/. 

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ABOUT UNIDO 

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: creating shared prosperity; advancing economic competitiveness; safeguarding the environment; and strengthening knowledge and institutions. 

ABOUT SEEDSTARS 

“They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” – Mexican proverb 

Seedstars is a Swiss-based private company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. The group’s activities cover over 90 emerging ecosystems through a variety of initiatives such as the FTxSDG Challenge, previously known as the Seedstars World Competition, which is the largest entrepreneurship competition in emerging markets; Seedstars Programs that are designed to support entrepreneurs in varying stages of growth via training, education, mentoring, and access to resources; Seedstars 01, a talent incubator providing digital skills and startup-based immersive education for the next generation of changemakers; Seedspace, physical coworking spaces and hubs located in 15 countries; and Seedstars International, a global venture capital fund for seed stage startups. For more information, visit www.seedstars.com.