When Ideas Don't Mix | Alaa Jarrar | TEDxHashemite University

Business Transformation & Strategy - The company transitioned from engineering to entrepreneurship, identifying a need to integrate technology with various sectors like fintech, healthtech, and edtech [1] - Initially focused on supplementary education for high school students (Tawjihi) in Jordan, the company expanded its vision to encompass broader educational partnerships and a pan-Arab presence [2] - The company shifted its focus from academic subjects to empowering students, recognizing the importance of enabling students with knowledge and skills [2] - The company rebranded from "science, knowledge, and empowerment" to "an empowered Arab generation," reflecting its expanded regional focus and emphasis on empowerment [2] Challenges & Failures - The company faced initial product failures due to a mismatch between their vision and user needs, requiring a complete overhaul of their approach [1] - Marketing efforts initially failed to attract users, despite widespread outreach, indicating a disconnect between the company's messaging and the target audience [1] - The company struggled with scaling, with the founder initially handling multiple roles, highlighting the challenges of early-stage startups [1] - The company's initial business case projected 5,000-6,000 students, but the first course only had four students, demonstrating a significant gap between expectations and reality [1] Growth & Success - The company learned from failures, adapting its strategies and communication to better resonate with students and create a more engaging online learning experience [1] - The company achieved breakeven after five to six years, indicating a long and challenging path to financial sustainability [2] - The company leveraged the COVID-19 pandemic to raise awareness of e-learning, although it also faced negative feedback regarding the quality of forced online education [2] - The company has grown from four students to over 30,000 students in 10 years, signifying a substantial increase [2]