Success Stories
Mesh Mostaheel: Abdullah defies odds to start up “Takalam”
When Abdullah Al Faris and his university classmates came up with their graduation project idea of an anti-stuttering device four years ago, they wanted to help a mutual friend deal with his speech disorder.
The stuttering of their friend motivated the young men to turn that idea into an entrepreneurial startup, “Takalam” (Arabic for speak).
In 2018, the group presented their project on the Mesh Mostaheel television show, launched by Partners for Good (PfG) to help advance entrepreneurial environment, raise awareness, and inspire youths in Jordan.
“At the beginning, we thought of finding a way to reduce our friend’s stuttering, but, through Mesh Mostaheel, built an anti-stuttering electronic device with earphones,”
Said Abdullah
Who holds a degree in computer information systems. “Twenty-two projects qualified for competition on the TV show, as we vied for a place … it was tough.”
For four months, Hani Al Thalji of Mesh Mostaheel coached and supervised Abdullah and his partners. “That period of time was a turning point for promoting Takalam,” according to Abdullah.
With university study, lack of funding, inexperience in labor market, he and his friends faced several challenges, but not for long, as Mesh Mostaheel helped the project connect with donors, overcoming obstacles.
His Majesty King Abdullah II was interested in Takalam, and the Ministry of Health provided the device free of charge for people who needed it.
“The actual launch of Takalam was in December 2020, when we registered the project with the Companies Control Department, and obtained funding from a business incubator,”
Said the Entrepreneur
A year ago, the project, which was sponsored by University of Petra, started to sell the device across the Middle East and in other regions, at a reasonable price.
Accomplishments continued, with the appointment of dealerships in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and the signing of a contract to supply 500 units to a Riyadh-based research center. Moreover, Takalam is planning global experimentation and roll-out.
Accomplishments continued, with the appointment of dealerships in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and the signing of a contract to supply 500 units to a Riyadh-based research center. Moreover, Takalam is planning global experimentation and roll-out.
“Although we did not win the first place on Mesh Mostaheel, but we gained great benefits, including project promotion, as well as technical and moral support,”
Said Abdullah
“All these factors played important roles in the launch of Takalam. Today, we employ 10 people, and continue to develop and become bigger in next years.”
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