• Finalists to work closely with Aldar to identify space, capex requirements and lease terms 

Abu Dhabi :  Aldar Properties PJSC (‘Aldar’) is proud to announce seven finalists for its Manassah entrepreneurship competition designed to support the UAE’s most ambitious retail and F&B entrepreneurs.

Following a round of rigorous process entered into by 150 talented contestants, the Aldar selection committee has identified the following, home grown finalists of the entrepreneurship competition:

  • Coffee Architecture: a speciality coffee house built by the first female Emirati certified Q grader and designed around minimalism, passion, art and love in Abu Dhabi
  • Alkalime: a feel good concept offering customers healthy, nutritious, tasty and accessible food and drinks in the most relaxing and eco-friendly space
  • Mr Draper: Combining fashion and technology, Mr. Draper simplifies the shopping experience by curating fashion outfits using a proprietary algorithm and in-house stylists to make shopping easier and more efficient
  • YAIA Kombucha: straight from the tap kombucha with complimenting food options, offering an alternative sophisticated social drinking experience with healthier outcomes
  • Maharat: A learning centre creating futures through innovation in special education. Offering a mix of specialised programmes focusing on the importance of community integration for children with unique needs and developmental delays
  • Wake n' Bake: a home-grown bakery by a female Emirati Chef, that specialises in hand-crafted breads and custard doughnuts made from scratch along with other freshly baked goods
  • Chiringuito: A Spanish beach restaurant (Tapas & Paellas) in a high-end beachfront location with Mediterranean ambience and entertainment

The finalists will now work closely with Aldar to identify which space within Aldar’s portfolio is best suited to their concept. In addition, the finalists will spend the next six weeks refining their financial plans to secure the right level of financial support and to identify the lease terms for each concept. The winning ideas will then open in Q4 2020 in selected locations across Aldar’s prime developments.

Commenting on the Manassah competition, Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Properties, said: “The Manassah competition, an initiative of Aldar’s Youth Council, has showcased the incredible talent and potential of young entrepreneurs in the UAE. The seven entries received meticulous pitch training before presenting their business ideas to the selection committee. The finalists showed exceptional entrepreneurial spirit and has presented unique business ideas that will help elevate our offerings at a number of our developments. Nurturing homegrown talent is one of our core values at Aldar and we are proud of the success of the first competition. We look forward to continuing to identify untapped talent as part of our ongoing youth initiatives.” 

Saoud Khoory, Executive Director – Retail Asset Management, Aldar, added: “This competition has given us the pleasure to meet with a number of innovative, people and concepts, whom I look forward to working closely with. It is  really exciting to see homegrown concepts to become part of our thriving retail portfolio, take their plans to the next level and to identify the best ways for them to grow. Initiatives such as Manassah enable entrepreneurs to test out their concepts and refine them before bringing them to the market and as such we are committed to support such programs across our assets to help them succeed.”

Launched in November 2019, the Manassah competition supports young entrepreneurs to develop innovative businesses across three categories – retail, café, and restaurants. This is Aldar’s first retail start-up programme in partnership with startAD, the global accelerator based in NYU Abu Dhabi. StartAD and Aldar will support the winner in the curated incubation programme for retail providing them with the necessary tools to launch, develop, and scale their ventures. As part of the programme, the selected teams will receive training and mentorship from the best local and global entrepreneurship, retail, and tech experts. 

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 

-Ends-

For further information, please contact:
Media
Nick Farmer
Aldar Properties
+971 2 810 5555

Joudi Issa / John Greenway
Brunswick
+971 2 234 4600
ALDAR@brunswickgroup.com 

About Aldar

Aldar Properties PJSC is the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi, and through its iconic developments, it is one of the most well known in the United Arab Emirates, and wider Middle East region.

From its beginnings in 2005 through to today, Aldar continues to shape and enhance the urban fabric of the UAE’s Capital City in addition to other key areas of the Emirate.

Aldar develops exciting and innovative projects, such as the internationally recognized HQ building situated in the Al Raha Beach development, the Gate Towers in Shams Abu Dhabi on Al Reem Island, in addition to Yas Island’s F1 circuit.

Aldar’s shares are traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (Stock quote: ALDAR:UH), and is a profitable, cash generative business that provides recurring revenues, and benefits from a diverse and supportive shareholder base. Aldar operates according to high standards of corporate governance and is committed to operating a long term and sustainable business in order to provide ongoing value for its shareholders.

Aldar seeks to create quality, comfortable, desirable destinations that enrich the lives of Abu Dhabi residents as well as tourists within the Emirate. Aldar is playing a leading role in the development and provision of world class retail - Yas Mall, international standard education through Aldar Academies, iconic entertainment venues such as the Yas Marina Circuit, and community amenities across its entire portfolio.

Aldar is driven by a vision to be the most trusted and recognized real estate lifestyle developer in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

For more information on Aldar please visit www.aldar.com  or follow us on:

© Press Release 2020

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.