Majid Al Futtaim, renowned for its leadership in shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, proudly acknowledges the triumph of Egyptian startups SIGMA-Fit and Kiliim in its esteemed Launchpad Accelerator Programme. This celebration, held at the Mall of Egypt, marks the inauguration of their new retail pop-up spaces across multiple malls, while also serving as a beacon of inspiration for the nation’s burgeoning startup landscape.
Initiated regionally in 2022, the Launchpad Accelerator Programme stands as a cornerstone of Majid Al Futtaim’s ecosystem, fostering entrepreneurship and bolstering small and medium enterprises in their quest for innovation, creativity, and expansion. From a pool of 200 contenders across the MENA region, SIGMA-Fit for sportswear and Kiliim for sustainable handicrafts emerged as the chosen torchbearers, now proudly showcasing their offerings at the Mall of Egypt and City Centre Almaza.
The event kicked off with a stimulating panel discussion featuring luminaries such as Rasha Azab, Managing Director of West Region Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties; Ibrahim Shams and Noha El Taher, Co-founders of Kiliim; Nabil Khalifa, Co-founder of SIGMA-Fit; Ahmed Abdelazim, Founder of MAZ; and Mohamed Wahid, CEO and Founder of Impactyn. Delving into various facets of Majid Al Futtaim’s pivotal role in nurturing Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the panel underscored the significance of the Launchpad Accelerator Programme in empowering startups with promising potential, serving as an incubator for emerging brands both locally and globally, and propelling sustainable growth within the entrepreneurial sphere.
In praise of the winning brands, Rasha Azab remarked, “At Majid Al Futtaim, we recognize the vital role of supporting entrepreneurs and startups as catalysts for advancing the Egyptian economy. We are dedicated to equipping them with the requisite support, guidance, and incentives to realize their goals, thereby fostering broader economic prosperity. We take pride in welcoming our inaugural brands, Kiliim and SIGMA-Fit, to our malls.”
In collaboration with AstroLabs, Microsoft, and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Majid Al Futtaim’s Launchpad Accelerator Programme endeavors to attract, nurture, and elevate innovative startups and SMEs, offering them access to the extensive reach and resources of the Majid Al Futtaim ecosystem and facilitating tangible growth opportunities. Catering to a diverse array of homegrown brands spanning fashion, lifestyle, leisure, climatetech, and community sectors, the Programme serves as a steadfast pillar of support for entrepreneurs across the region.
Majid Al Futtaim remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering emerging talents and propelling economic progress through the establishment of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem within its malls, including the Mall of Egypt and City Centre Almaza. Initiatives like LOKAL at Mall of Egypt have been instrumental in providing crucial exposure and growth avenues for over 100 local brands, fostering a supportive community for aspiring entrepreneurs. Additionally, MAF’s partnerships with institutions such as the FAD Dubai Institute of Luxury Fashion and Style, and ESMOD Beirut through Fashion Glam and Fashion Flair respectively, underscore its dedication to nurturing the next generation of fashion luminaries by offering scholarships and educational programs. These initiatives epitomize Majid Al Futtaim’s unwavering commitment to nurturing local talent and brands, with the overarching goal of cementing its status as a hub of creative and entrepreneurial excellence
