Aldar launches new entrepreneurship competition

ABU DHABI- Aldar Properties will launch "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, cafe, 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, said a press release issued by Aldar on Sunday.

Manassah is welcoming submissions effective immediately, with a deadline set for 21st December, 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.

Aldar selection committee will then identify up to five teams who will progress to the next stage of the retail incubator, secure equity-free incentives worth up to AED1 million, and benefit from their businesses being situated within Aldar’s Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi. Supporting Aldar in the roll-out of Manassah is startAD, the global accelerator anchored at New York University Abu Dhabi. startAD will support accepted startups with a curated incubation programme for retail, steering the teams to launch, develop and scale their ventures. Commenting on the Manassah competition, Talal Al Dhiyebi, CEO of 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.