From GJU Graduate to Founder: Adnan Bilbeisi launches ArabClosers across MENA

In November 2024, we featured the story of Adnan Bilbeisi, an Industrial Engineering graduate from the German Jordanian University (GJU). Shortly before the article was published, Adnan had participated in the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS), a five-month programme that includes a three-month placement in the office of a Member of the German Bundestag, giving participants a unique insight into German politics and parliamentary work.

Since then, Adnan has taken another major step in his career by founding ArabClosers, a platform connects companies with vetted sales closers from across the MENA region. Around one and a half years after our first interview, we caught up with him to learn more about the journey from employee to entrepreneur and the idea behind his new venture.

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Hi, Adnan. We last featured your story in November 2024. What has happened in your professional journey since then?

As you mentioned, I participated in the IPS programme in 2024. But even before that, throughout different stages of my career, I was always involved in sales in one way or another. Although I studied Industrial Engineering, I found myself increasingly drawn to business development, sales, and working directly with customers.

Today, I work as a Sales Manager at Dar Al-Manhal in Amman, alongside building ArabClosers.

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Did something change after you finished the IPS?

The internship in the office of Bundestag Vice President Aydan Özoğuz taught me the importance of finding common ground with people who have different opinions. By talking to politicians and Members of Parliament from different parties, I learned how to identify shared interests and work towards solutions that benefit everyone involved.

I still apply that mindset when speaking with clients today. It helps me better understand their needs and have more productive conversations. I also built friendships and professional connections during the programme that I still value today. I often recommend the IPS programme to students because of the experience and perspective it provides.

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How did you identify the opportunity that eventually became your business?

When I was promoted to my current position in 2025, I realised how difficult it can be for companies to hire, train, and retain salespeople. Many businesses invest significant time and resources into building a sales team, only to see people leave after a relatively short period. There is a lot of movement in the sales sector, and it is a challenge that many companies face.

That made me start looking for alternative sales models, and I came across the concept of sales closers, which is widely used in markets like the United States. I believed there was an opportunity to introduce and adapt this model to the MENA region.

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What is a Closer?

A Closer is a commission-based sales professional who earns based on results rather than a fixed salary. The commission depends on the value of the deal that is closed. Unlike a traditional salesperson, a closer does not have to generate leads or spend time cold-calling prospects. Their focus is on converting qualified leads into customers.

Companies use closers to convert qualified opportunities into customers, making it a flexible and performance-driven model for both businesses and sales professionals.

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Kind of like a real estate agent?

In some ways, yes. Similar commission-based sales models can also be found in industries such as real estate. Like real estate agents, closers often work with higher-value products or services, so-called high-ticket sales which – depending on the sales price – can lead to attractive commissions.

So how does your company use closers to solve the challenge of high turnover in sales?

At ArabClosers, we connect vetted commission-based sales professionals from across the MENA region with companies around the world, that are looking to grow their sales.

Our goal is to make it easier for businesses to access experienced sales talent without immediately building a full local sales team, while also creating opportunities for sales professionals who want greater flexibility and performance-based income.

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How did you start the founding process of ArabClosers?

I don't come from a technical background, so my focus was on building a simple first version of the platform that I could quickly test with real customers. I focused on developing what is known as an MVP, a Minimum Viable Product. It is the most basic version of a product that still contains the core features people need. My priority was validating the idea rather than building a perfect product. It took me about two months to build this version.

Once I launched it, I shifted my attention to speaking with companies, collecting feedback, and continuously improving the platform. I started sending cold emails and gradually began generating interest. So far, we have built a network of more than 1,000 closers from 12 different countries, attracted over ten active clients, and generated more than 300,000 US dollars in open deal value. We recently signed our first international client and are seeing growing interest from companies both within the MENA region and beyond.

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How did your studies at GJU prepare you for the challenges of starting a business?

Studying at GJU and especially spending one and a half years in Germany during my German Year, gave me valuable exposure to different working environments. During that period, I completed internships at both a start-up and a larger company. Experiencing both environments helped me understand different ways of working, managing teams, and approaching customers. Looking back, those experiences played an important role in shaping how I think about building a business today.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the founding process?

Building credibility. When you're starting a new company, people naturally hesitate because they don't know your business yet. You hear many “no’s” before you hear your first “yes.”

In the early days, I sent hundreds of outreach messages before getting my first serious customer conversation. That experience taught me that persistence is often more important than having the perfect idea. Once you earn the trust of your first customers, growth becomes much easier because referrals and testimonials begin to speak for your business.

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What are your current goals for ArabClosers?

Our focus today is on becoming the leading platform for commission-based sales talent in the MENA region. Beyond helping companies find sales professionals, we're also developing services that make it easier for businesses to expand into the region without having to build a full local sales operation from day one.

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What advice would you give to GJU students or recent graduates who are considering starting their own business?

Start talking to customers earlier than you think you're ready. Many founders spend months trying to perfect a product before finding out whether anyone actually needs it. The conversations you have with potential customers will often teach you more than months of planning.

Build something simple, test it, learn from feedback, and improve continuously. I would also encourage GJU students to take advantage of the entrepreneurship programmes and support opportunities available at GJU. They provide valuable guidance and can make the journey into entrepreneurship much less intimidating.

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Hire Commission-Based Sales Closers in MENA | ArabClosers

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We would like to thank Adnan for taking the time to share his experiences with us and wish him every success as he continues to grow ArabClosers and pursue the next chapter of his entrepreneurial journey.