The Authority of Social Contribution (Ma’an), has concluded its fifth cycle of its Ma’an Social Incubator (MSI), which aims to elevate the impact of social enterprises by supporting them to scale up and grow their operations in Abu Dhabi.
This cycle of the programme featured a Graduation and a ‘Demo Day’, where entrepreneurs showcased landmark innovations that can help improve the quality of life for senior citizens across the emirate.
MSI programme encourages social innovation by bringing together individuals and organisations, enabling them to create innovative solutions to social challenges in Abu Dhabi, by providing mentorship, coaching, funding opportunities and facilitating deal flows with entities and investors.
The fifth cycle of the programme was focused on “Senior Citizens and Residents”, an identified social priority within Abu Dhabi, to recognise and acknowledge the contributions of older people to society, with applicants invited to develop creative services or products that will enhance their quality of life across the Emirate.
Nine established ventures were incubated in the fifth cycle of the programme, showcased in the presence of Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, and Salama Al Ameemi, Director-General of Ma’an, at a graduation ceremony held at The Exchange, a social innovation space by Ma’an, to find inspiration and meet like-minded people who are passionate about helping others in Abu Dhabi.
Innovators showcased their ventures with a seven-minute presentation and startup pitch to introduce their business to external entities and investors. They included Voithy, Doctoori, Letsrise, UAE Montessori Association, Tootee, REFQA, We Connect to Progress, Seniors Savings App, and International Talent Hub.
Salem Ali Al Shamsi, Social Incubation and Acceleration Management Director, said, “Senior citizens and residents have been identified as a key demographic by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Community Development (DCD), and innovations displayed during the fifth cycle of Ma’an’s Social Incubator (MSI) have the potential to not only respond to the needs of our senior citizens, but to empower them, helping improve the quality of life of our senior citizens and residents.
“Innovation in this sector is critical in responding to the needs of senior citizens and residents, and aligns with Ma’an’s mission of fostering a connected, collaborative and united Abu Dhabi community and making life-changing differences for each and every individual. Society needs to reimagine what it means to age and how senior members of society can not only live fulfilling and independent lives but be empowered to contribute.”
Under the programme, teams had to meet the selected criteria, and were shortlisted by Ma’an before undergoing a 90-day training programme to build these creative solutions into sustainable business ventures.
Ma’an will support the successful teams with access to mentorship, office space, business expertise, funding and networking.
Source: Emirates News Agency