Ten women-led technology startups in Jordan have been shortlisted for the fifth edition of the “Inspiring Change” Award, an annual initiative by Orange Jordan to back high-potential female founders. The program, supported by Capital Bank and in collaboration with the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (intaj), has advanced to its final evaluation stage after selecting the finalists from a pool of 56 applicants.
Quick Facts
- 10 finalists selected from 56 applications.
- Winners to be announced in early May.
- New award category for sustainable solutions.
The Path to the Finals
The second phase of the 2026 competition saw the 10 finalists pitch their success stories to a jury of industry leaders. This stage will narrow the field to three winners, with an additional prize for a newly introduced category focused on sustainable solutions.
Since its launch, the award has recognized 13 women entrepreneurs, providing a platform to showcase innovation within Jordan’s tech ecosystem. The final award ceremony for the current edition is scheduled for early May.
High-Profile Jury to Select Winners
The selection process is being overseen by a jury composed of prominent women leaders from Jordan’s business and technology sectors.
The panel includes H.E. Kholoud Saqqaf, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Jordanian Duty Free Shops; Touleen Barto, Chief Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer at Capital Bank; Thana’a Al Khasawneh, CEO and Founding Member of the Business and Professional Women Association; Layanah Wreikat, Deputy CEO of JoPACC; and Eng. Rana Al Dababneh, Chief Corporate, Internal Communications & Sustainability Officer at Orange Jordan.
What it Takes to Compete
To be eligible, applicants must be the founder or co-founder of a startup with at least 50% ownership, or hold the position of CEO or managing director. Their companies must be registered in Jordan and have a minimum of 25% female representation.
The selection criteria focus on startups that are innovative, digital-first, and demonstrate a positive social or environmental impact aligned with sustainable development goals. The jury evaluates projects based on their impact, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
About The Inspiring Change Award
Launched by Orange Jordan to celebrate International Women’s Day, the “Inspiring Change” Award aims to empower and support women entrepreneurs in the technology sector. The award is organized under the umbrella of intaj’s Women Economic Empowerment Unit, SHETECHS. It seeks to identify and promote innovative, digital companies with strong growth potential that are making a positive impact on society and the environment.
Source: Zawya
