Ma’an Social Incubator and Accelerator Programme, Abu Dhabi has once again opened entries for the well-intentioned start-ups working in the field of Mental Wellbeing. This one-of-its-kind initiative is run by the Authority for Social Contribution Ma’an is aimed to further grow and support new start up community-based organisations and social enterprises.

With many start-ups in India working in the mental health space, Ma’an will surely provide a global ecosystem platform for Indian entrepreneurs. The program offers an amalgamation of funding, training, incubation and mentorship. Through this programme the idea is to support the mental wellbeing of Abu Dhabi residents are encouraged to apply for incubator and accelerator funding and business development support.

Following the success of the inaugural cycle, which focused on developing services and products for people of determination, Nexart- an India based software firm was amongst the top 10 winning projects and was incubated by the Govt. of Abu Dhabi. This year Ma’an is welcoming social entrepreneurs across the globe with innovative ideas to contribute positively towards the mental wellbeing of citizens and residents in Abu Dhabi.

The social incubator will shortlist and support 10 winning social start-ups as part of the programme. Ma’an has also launched an accelerator, which will award additional funding and business support to five established social enterprises that are focused on mental wellbeing.

Ma’an will invest more than AED 2 million in each cycle and the successful applicants will join a 90-day incubator or accelerator program and have access to milestone-based funding, mentorship, office space,

business expertise and investors.

Director General of Ma’an, Her Excellency Salama Al Ameemi said: “Mental wellbeing has become an increasingly important issue around the world and on average 1 in 4 people will suffer a mental health difficulty at some point during their life. It impacts the way people think, feel, behave and make decisions in everyday life. Abu Dhabi is no different and it is essential that we begin a conversation to understand the support communities need to cope with mental wellbeing challenges.

“Ensuring that our community has access to the right services is vital and we want to encourage new social enterprises to come forward with solutions that will help people address their mental wellbeing challenges.

“We are looking for talented, enthusiastic, creative and driven people with ideas that are unique, impactful and sustainable. Our hope is that by supporting these ventures, we can make a big impact on this social issue in Abu Dhabi.”

Applications for the Ma’an Social Incubator is open until 8 February 2020, with the program open to all members of the UAE community as well as international start-ups.

10 shortlisted teams will be awarded access to training and workshops to hone their business skills and understand more about this particular social challenge. During the programme, all social entrepreneurs will be subjected to a thorough and rigorous training period to transform their original ideas to solid and sustainable business ventures. The program offers unique and valuable networking opportunities for the teams to build relationships with individuals outside of the program, including investors, third sector leaders as well as regional and global industry figures.

Each team will be eligible to receive milestone funding, released at key milestones, as well as a monthly stipend and housing costs for non-UAE-based participants. Applicants must be 18 and above, living in the UAE, or willing to relocate to the emirate.

Nexart, an Indian startup was recently incubated in the previous cycle of the incubator held in September 2019.

In addition, applications for the newly introduced accelerator element of the cycle is open until 25 January 2020. The accelerator programme will support five established businesses with access non-equity funding, a monthly stipend and a series of networking sessions, entrepreneur events and office space. The accelerator programme is primarily focused on international startups looking to set up in Abu Dhabi as well as local startups. Ma’an will support with an introduction to the UAE, identifying a sponsor and providing advice on the regulatory framework.