Abu Dhabi’s Ma’an Launches Third Cycle of its Incubator Programme for Social Startups

Abu Dhabi’s The Authority of Social Contribution (also known as Ma’an) has launched the third cycle of its social incubator programme, with this round adopting the theme of family cohesion. “No matter how old you are, family is one of the most important elements in life and we must do all we can to promote family cohesion and unity,” said Director General of Ma’an, Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi. 

To that end the programme invites social impact startups from the UAE and all across the MENA region to zero in on how to strengthen familial bonds and unity, using innovative solutions to combat divorce rates and distant emotional relationships between parents, children, relatives and couples.

In 2019, the UAE Cabinet launched the ‘Cohesive Family 2021’, a nation-wide campaign to bolster family ties and the role family bonds play in celebrating and strengthening culture. During the Coronavirus crisis the issue remains a timely topic that merited Ma’an’s family cohesion theme. The organisation is calling on non-profit associations, social enterprises and entrepreneurs to apply for funding and business development support in the effort to tackle social challenges head on.

Ma’an will select 10 winning social startups, who will then take part in a 90 day training programme to transform their innovations to fully-fleshed out business ventures. The social incubator will invest upwards of AED 2 million into the programme, with the biggest beneficiaries of the investment being the participating startups who will have the chance to receive fresh funds, mentorship, an office space and access to a network of coveted regional and international investors.

Applications for the cycle are open now until August 31st. You can find out more and apply now right here.