Aldar Properties PJSC (‘Aldar’) is proud to announce the launch of Manassah – a new entrepreneurship competition designed to support UAE’s most ambitious retail and F&B entrepreneurs.
Manassah will support entrants on developing innovative businesses across three categories – retail, café, and restaurant that will benefit from securing a dedicated space within selected Aldar developments, rent free for a year, provision of fit out, and business mentoring.
Manassah is welcoming submissions effective immediately, with a deadline set for December 21, 2019. Entrants are required to submit their applications on the Manassah website (www.manassah.ae).
As part of the competition, up to 15 start-ups will be accepted into a programme, where they will learn to develop their ventures, and receive pitch training. The Aldar selection committee will then identify up to 5 teams who will progress to the next stage of the retail incubator, secure equity-free incentives worth up to AED 1 million, and benefit from their businesses being situated within Aldar’s Mamsha Al Saadiyat, situated along 1.4km of pristine beach on Saadiyat Island, and adjacent to the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Supporting Aldar in the roll out of Manassah is startAD, the global accelerator anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi. startAD will support accepted startups with a curated incubation program for retail, steering the teams to launch, develop and scale their ventures.
Commenting on the Manassah competition, Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Properties, said: “Manassah, an initiative of Aldar’s Youth Council, is a fantastic way for us to build a community of entrepreneurs and harness that talent to really energize our communities. I am excited to see the submissions and to see how they can add value to and enhance Mamsha when they open. We look forward to the success of this first competition within Manassah and then rolling it out across our other communities in Abu Dhabi.
Aldar Youth Council was set up in 2018, with the aim to actively empower Aldar youth, unlock their full career potential, and engage with other Youth Councils across the country.
For more information, please visit www.manassah.ae
