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Who it is for

Different businesses, different support

The cohort takes people at two starting points. Everyone follows the same 24 weeks, but the work inside those weeks is set by where you are starting from.

Starting a business

This is you if
  • You have an idea or a skill you have not yet sold commercially
  • You sell occasionally to family, neighbours or through social media
  • You have no fixed pricing, costing or regular customers
The programme works on
  • Turning the idea into a defined product or service
  • Working out what it costs you and what to charge
  • Finding and selling to your first paying customers
  • Setting up the basics, from record keeping to how you take orders
By week 24
  • You have sold to customers outside your immediate circle
  • You know your margin and can price without guessing
  • You have a plan for the next twelve months

Growing an existing business

This is you if
  • You are trading already, with customers and some revenue
  • Growth has flattened, or margins are thinner than they should be
  • You want a second channel, a new product line or a bigger customer base
The programme works on
  • Reviewing pricing and cost structure against your actual numbers
  • Opening new channels, including retail, online and partnerships
  • Operations, supply and the constraints holding volume back
  • Testing a new line or market before committing to it
By week 24
  • You have tested at least one new channel or product with customers
  • Your pricing and costs are documented and defensible
  • You have a growth plan built on what the market confirmed

Who can apply

  • Based in Al Rams or its vicinity
  • No trade licence required, and people with an idea they have not started yet are welcome
  • Open to Emirati nationals
  • Able to commit around 9 to 12 hours a week for 24 weeks
  • Willing to sell to real customers during the programme, not only plan

What we ask of you

  1. Attendance

    Workshops and mentoring sessions run to a fixed weekly schedule. Consistent attendance is a condition of a place.

  2. Work between sessions

    Most of the progress happens in the field. Expect customer conversations, supplier checks and pricing tests each week.

  3. Share what you learn

    Results of each test are recorded so the programme can show what worked and support you properly.

Questions

Before you apply

Do I need an existing business to apply?
No. The cohort includes people starting from an idea as well as established businesses. You will be asked about your current stage during registration so support can be matched to it.
Do I need to be an Emirati national?
Yes. The programme is open to Emirati nationals based in Al Rams or its vicinity.
Do I need a trade licence?
No. A trade licence is not required, and people with an idea they have not started yet are welcome to apply.
Is there a cost to take part?
No. The programme is free for participants.
How much time does it take each week?
Around 6 hours of scheduled sessions, plus 3 to 6 hours of your own fieldwork. Sessions are held in Al Rams.
What language is the programme delivered in?
The programme is delivered in Arabic.
How are participants selected?
Applications are assessed on the quality of the registration form you submit. The form asks about what you are building, the stage it is at and the time you can commit, and those answers are what the decision is based on.
Can two people from the same business attend?
Yes. Up to two partners from the same project can take part.
What happens if I miss sessions?
Attendance at every session is mandatory. If you cannot attend, tell the programme team in advance and get their approval. Missing a session without doing so may mean losing your place on the programme.

If this describes you, apply

Registration closes on 30 October 2026.

Register your interest