Takween Start-ups Accelerator Program

The COVID-19 pandemic has put businesses and the livelihoods of many designers and creative entrepreneurs at risk. In response to this situation, Goethe-Institut Jordan, within the framework of takween, is planning to implement an accelerator program for start-ups in the field of design in Jordan to enhance their expertise as well as resilience and responsiveness in a time of profound challenges. Hence, the program searches for ground between business scaling and building a sustainable business model. Further goals of the program include personal growth as founders as well as the building of networks and community. 

The takween Accelerator Program is intended to support up to 15 design start-ups in the cultural and creative industries sector in Jordan, whose sources of income have been severely affected by the pandemic.

Over the period of 2,5 months, the selected start-ups will receive a grant of up to 5,000.00 EUR to be spent during the program and participate in intensive training and mentoring sessions to strengthen their skills to be able to scale up and accelerate their business development, to enhance their resilience, to overcome challenges in a sustainable way, and to improve their prospects for employment and income within the CCIs in Jordan. 

• Emerging or mid-career creative entrepreneurs with a registered start-up in any field of design in Jordan.
• The start-up must be in operation for at least one year since registration.
• The start-up must prove commitment to initiate a societal, economic, or environmental impact beyond individual economic profit (e.g., green design, etc.).
• The start-up source of income and/or capacity to maintain business activities have been severely affected by the pandemic.
• The representative on behalf of the start-up must have the ability to commit for max. 20 h/week within the program to guarantee a stable learning set-up, and the ability to undertake due measures in order not to jeopardize the regular running of their business activities.
• The representative on behalf of the start-up is to be willing and able to fully commit for a period of 2.5 months between August and October 2021, for an intensive mentoring-driven accelerator program.
• The start-up must have an existing business and operational systems and experience in financial and/or grant management; including a bank account in the name of the business or organization, electronic banking system, annual financial statements or similar reports, information on experience with bookkeeping system/personnel, procurement, and internal and external control systems. Information on these areas will be requested within the application form.
• Personal fit: creative entrepreneurs with a clear focus on personal growth as founders and creative contributors as well as openness to share business insights with mentors and program companions.
• The start-up not to be benefiting from other parallel Goethe-Institut programs.
• The start-up has to be based in Jordan and active in any field of design.

Required Documents:

Please upload the following documents to your online application. The documents should be in PDF format and must not exceed 10MB/document. Documents are accepted in either English or Arabic languages.

• Portfolio: A Presentation (max. 10 pages) of your start-up with a demonstrated link to the design field in Jordan (e.g. impact, objectives, partners, achievements, business plan) and an elaboration on the socio-political, economic, or environmental impact of the start-up beyond individual economic profit (e.g. green design, etc.).
• CV: for individual applicants and for each team member if applying as a team, mentioning the qualification and capacity-building programs you previously took part in.
• Motivation Letter (max. 1 Page) including:

1. Description of the situation of your start-up development in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: how did the pandemic affect your income and business activities? What are sources of optimism to overcome these challenges with your start-up?
2. What is your vision as a company especially concerning local, regional and international markets, networks, and employment of new staff?
3. How do you think this program would help you scale up your start-up and move towards a sustainable business model?
4. How do you think this program would help you expand your start-up in the CCI?
5. What would you wish to learn from this program?
6. How do you plan to commit to the program without putting your business at risk?

• Company Registration Certificate in any field of design.
• Prove of minimal viable product (MVP) in the market (working prototype) as well as proof of first paying customers and/or reached beneficiaries.
• Annual financial statements or similar reports.

About Goethe Institute:

The Goethe-Institut is a cultural institute operating worldwide and affiliated with the German government. The Institute supports the learning of the German language abroad, as well as international cultural cooperation. It provides a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on its cultural, social, and political life. The Institute's cultural and educational programs support intercultural dialogue and allow for cultural participation. It also promotes building civic structures and supports global mobility.

Through Goethe institutes network and centers, cultural associations, reading rooms, examination centers, and language learning centers, the institute have been the first point of contact with Germany for more than sixty years. Moreover, the cooperation and long-standing partnership with leading institutions and personalities in more than 90 countries achieve sustainable confidence in Germany. The Institute is a partner for all those who are actively interested in Germany and its culture and works responsibly and without political partisanship.

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