Meet the Entrepreneurs
Ibtaker November 2013
Access to Markets
CONTACT INFORMATION
ibtaker for technological innovation
Ramallah, Palestine +970 22409290
Stimulate thinking and problem solving through technology
emad.ammouri@ibtaker.ps
www.ibtaker.ps
Emad Ammouri, General Manager, Palestine
CHALLENGE In this day and age, technology affects all aspects of life, and education should be no exception. This in particular pertains to the younger generation, which has been brought up with technological devices that are used for digital interaction. However, mass education has remained almost unchanged for the past 500 years, with teachers lecturing classes of students and teaching them theory, while leaving little time for practical application. Inspired by this paradigm, and the fact that students have been found to prefer hands-on education platforms, the Ibtaker team has made it its mission to develop a technologically-based solution that would make the learning process for science, technology, engineering, and math as friendly, useful, and practical as possible.
IDEA “The Invention Simulator” kit is a unique educational program designed to help develop the students’ thinking and creative skills while learning through simple flowchart-based programming techniques. The kits provide an “out of the box” solution that is easy to teach and fun to learn. “The Invention Simulator” is a platform that stimulates learning through innovation and creativity. This product gives the users the ability to interact with their surrounding environment through userfriendly yet powerful software. The key element to this learning kit is the incorporation of a “Micro Control Unit” (MCU), a micro-computer chip used for control and automation that makes devices “smarter”. This technology is widely used in alarm systems, cell phones, microwaves, and toys. The use of MCUs was at one time restricted to advanced engineers, but has recently become much simpler and more user-friendly. The MCU contains multiple functionality levels, making the degree of difficulty easily adjustable to the individual capacity of the student from elementary school to pre-college.
“OUR GOAL IS TO HELP SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS ACHIEVE A MODERNIZED EDUCATION THAT COMPRISES CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING, INVENTION, AND INNOVATION.”
BUSINESS MODEL Ibtaker spent 18 months in the Palestine ICT Incubator, a period during which the company received the support and advice necessary for their professional growth, as well as USD30,000 in financial support. The team is made up of professional and experienced engineers, educators, and inventors who are working on developing this tool to make it more proficient. Current clients include UN schools in Palestine that have integrated the kits into their “technology labs”, and the Palestinian Ministry of Education that has purchased kits for 50 schools. Ibtaker is also working with the Ministry to integrate the kits into the curriculum. Ibtaker is now focusing on international development and has participated in exhibitions, which resulted in partnership agreements with companies in Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE. The competitive advantage of the platform proposed by Ibtaker is the innovative solution it offers in terms of learning tools for young students, as well as its price competitiveness.
“OUR PRODUCT IS A PLATFORM FOR INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY.”
www.infodev.org
twitter: @infoDev
ENTREPRENEUR’S INSIGHTS
NEXT STEPS
WORKING WITH infoDev
Promote Ibtaker products and services internationally, starting within the regional market
• It is very complicated for start-ups to gain access to key government decision makers, for which the support of infoDev and other influential partners has been very valuable.
Strengthen the relationship with the Ministry of Education, focusing on long-term cooperation
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• Commercialization is the key to success, as a well-performing technical solution does not guarantee commercial success.
Search for alternative sourcing solutions to reduce cost
PROGRAM: Top20 Co-incubation pilot SUPPORT PROVIDED: USD10,000 cash award, technical assistance in accessing markets, and participation in infoDev Global Forum (Helsinki, 2011) MAIN BENEFITS FROM ENTREPRENEUR’S VIEW:
Continue research and development on new kits aligned with clients’ needs
• International visibility and recognition by participating in infoDev Global Forum
Focus more on the business aspect of the company and less on the technical solution
• Technical and financial support for accessing new markets in Jordan, Qatar, and UAE • Increased confidence and legitimacy needed to grow the business
KEY OUTCOMES VALUE FOR USERS Students can apply the theory that they have learned in class by means of an affordable application Support for teachers by offering additional tools and alternative methods for teaching scientific subjects
BUSINESS FACTS NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
AWARDS
7
3 full-time and 4 part-time employees
infoDev Top20 Winner: Access to Finance and Markets Awards
Supported by:
www.infodev.org
twitter: @infoDev