YEA – Jordan: Fostering a Culture of Entrepreneurship

Founded in 1997, The Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) of Jordan is a rare organization both in Jordan and the Middle East. The organization exists to encourage and develop a culture of entrepreneurship in Jordan, and support and mentor entrepreneurs. As the organization recognizes entrepreneurship is far removed from the day-to-day culture of Jordan and it hopes to remedy this:

Entrepreneurship has not been part of the Jordanian business culture although 70 percent of the Jordanian population is less than 30 years of age representing vast untapped economic resources. Thus, a new business mentality and new generation of entrepreneurs beyond the traditional inherited business philosophy of local industries is needed in order to claim a greater share of the regional and international export markets.

Chances are that if you are a tech. entrepreneur in Jordan you’re a member of YEA. The organization is supported by its members and corporate sponsors including: King Abdullah II Fund for Development, Aramex, Naouri Group, Jordan Kuwait Bank, Primus, Zain, and the One Global Economy Corporation.

I had a chance to sit down with Nour Kabariti, the Executive Director of YEA. There are few people that are as committed and passionate about improving and making Jordan better than Nour. She’s an unsung hero in the development of Jordanian business.

Our conversation follows below:

Interview with Nour Kabariti – YEA.mp3