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Prize is worth US$ 100,000 in services from the KIPCO Group
Kuwait City: Ajar Online, an online platform for the payment and collection of rent co-founded by young Kuwaiti entrepreneurs Shaheen Alkhudhari and Talal Alyaseen, was named the winner of the first-ever KIPCO Tmkeen Award for Young Entrepreneurs. The announcement was made at the opening of the Youth Empowerment Symposium (Tmkeen), held under the patronage of H.H. the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
The award is a collaboration between KIPCO - Kuwait Projects Company (Holding) - and Tmkeen. The prize is worth US$ 100,000 in services from the KIPCO Group, including financial, strategic and operational consultation sessions, market studies, insurance coverage and advertising services.
Ajar Online is a cloud service build for the real estate market in Kuwait and the GCC. It offers users a quick and efficient online rent collection service via SMS and email. Besides the co-founders, the team includes Mohammad Eid Ebrahim and Ali Ahmad Taqi.
Ten young entrepreneurs running media and technology businesses in Kuwait had qualified in first judging round. They then presented to the final judging panel, which included the Co-Founder and CEO of Storehouse, Mr Mark Kawano; Co-Founder of Storehouse, Timothy Donnelly; Founding Director of the American United School of Kuwait, Dr Jennifer J. Beckwith; Kuwaiti IT expert, Eng. Manar Al Hashash; and General Manager of Ghaliah Technology, Mr Abdulrazag Al Mutawa.
Ms Eman Al Awadhi, KIPCO's Group Communications Director, said:
"KIPCO is a strong believer in the important role that young people can play to make the future of Kuwait a brighter one. Our collaboration with Tmkeen has allowed us to engage in a dialogue with Kuwait's talented, young business community and to understand how we can support them to make their businesses more sustainable. This has been an exciting journey for us at KIPCO, and we look forward to seeing the businesses that participated with us grow and prosper."
On his part, Mr Ali Al Ibrahim, CEO of the Youth Empowerment Organization, said:
"Empowerment of young people is the driver at Tmkeen, and this award has given us the opportunity to work more closely with young Kuwaitis who require mentorship and support in order to take their businesses to a higher level. KIPCO's expertise in diverse sectors has made it possible for us to provide such support. We look forward to seeing the fruits of these efforts as we continue to inspire our young generation to pursue their passion in business."
KIPCO Group companies - including Burgan Bank, OSN, Gulf Insurance Group, KAMCO Investment Company, United Real Estate, Qurain Petrochemical Industries, AUK, AUS, United Networks and Marina FM - are supporters of the KIPCO Tmkeen Award for Young Entrepreneurs.
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About KIPCO
The KIPCO Group is one of the biggest holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa, with consolidated assets of US$ 31.4 billion as at 30 September 2015. The Group has significant ownership interests in over 60 companies operating across 24 countries. The group's main business sectors are financial services, media, real estate and manufacturing. Through its core companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, KIPCO also has interests in the education and medical sectors.
About Youth Empowerment Organization
The First Youth Empowerment Symposium was held in 2012, and the annual event grew to become the starting point of Youth Empowerment Organization, which was officially formed in 2014. The Youth Empowerment Organization is an independent, private Non-Profit Organization (NPO) & Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
It is a national initiative that is delivered by youth to youth in a professional setting, with a global outreach towards economic advancements worldwide. The organization's vision is to empower young people in order to drive a new era of economic development, growth and productivity.
Further information:
Eman Al Awadhi Group Communications Director
Kuwait Projects Company - KIPCO
T: +965 2294 3416
M:+965 6033 6399
Eman.Alawadhi@kipco.com
Khalil Al Hamar Marketing Director
Youth Symposium Organization - Tmkeen
M:+965 5002 0074
khalil@tmkeenkw.com
© Press Release 2015
