The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), in collaboration with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) and its Industrial Innovation Academy, has launched the Startup Accelerators Programme. This initiative, running from September to December 2024, is designed to provide essential support to startups to enhance their administrative capabilities and foster growth.
The Startup Accelerators Programme aims to facilitate the rapid development of startups by offering guidance, funding and training. The programme is structured into two phases: The idea stage and the pre-seed stage, targeting a total of 40 startups. Interested entrepreneurs have until August 28 to register.
SMEDA highlights several key services provided by the programme, including idea development and validation, logistical support, events and presentations, mentorship, administrative and legal assistance, networking opportunities and access to funding.
“The Startup Accelerator Programme offers startups a blend of mentorship, educational workshops, networking opportunities, and funding access. It aims to reduce the time required for startups to transition from ideation to market-ready businesses by providing intensive support within a limited period,” explained Fathia al Hakmani, Director of Corporate Investment at SMEDA.
During the idea stage, the programme is open to entrepreneurs from all sectors, focusing on transforming innovative ideas into viable businesses, with a target of supporting 20 ideas. The pre-seed stage, on the other hand, focuses on sectors such as food security, real estate, tourism and health, also targeting 20 projects. This stage supports entrepreneurs in the early development stages, offering guidance and resources needed to refine their ideas or prototypes into successful projects.
The Startup Accelerators Programme is a key initiative of the Promising Omani Startups Programme, led by His Highness Sayyid Belarab bin Haitham al Said. It aims to nurture and expand innovative and technical startups, helping them secure investments and scale their operations.
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