Page 177 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2024 (Part 2)

9/25/24, 2:39 PM EGA Ramp-Up season two concludes start-ups graduation
EGA Ramp-Up season two concludes start-ups graduation

DUBAI, 13 days ago
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced the successful completion of season two of EGA Ramp-Up, the
company’s programme to support the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem and promising local business.

The programme was launched in 2022 under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy. EGA Ramp-Up
provides practical guidance and training to UAE-based entrepreneurs developing promising businesses that will grow
the economy and create new job opportunity.

Season two concluded with an investor pitch day held at EGA’s headquarters in Al Taweelah in the presence of Alia
bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, and Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer
of EGA.

In partnership with C3
EGA delivers the programme in partnership with C3, a UAE-based social enterprise that supports entrepreneurs
across the region to unlock their growth potential and maximise their positive impact on the community and the
environment.

Hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs took part of EGA Ramp-Up season two. This year’s cohort included 43%
women-led and 29 local businesses.

The participants engaged in a series of intensive online courses on effective entrepreneurship. Following the
evaluation process, 10 shortlisted entrepreneurs received tailored mentoring and coaching by EGA and C3 mentors
on funding and finance fundamentals, business strategy, and sustainability.

The finalists included Amp, AR Engineering, BaseTracK, Falcon Robotics, Seramic Materials, StrategyConnect,
Takalam, Tenderd, The Surpluss, and TranspRight.

The judging panel selected The Surpluss in first place, Amp, and AR Engineering in second and third place
respectively at the investor pitch day.

Private sector's key role
Al Mazrouei said: The UAE has always recognised the key role of the private sector and entrepreneurship in driving
economic growth, employment creation and sustainable innovation. Today, SMEs account for 95% of the total private
sector companies operating in the country, accounting for 86% of private sector employment. As we strive to
accelerate the transition to a knowledge economy built on an advanced innovation ecosystem fuelled by collective
collaboration, we see this partnership with EGA as a perfect match. The Ministry of Economy remains committed to
fostering such collaborations in order to establish the UAE’s position as a true entrepreneurial nation by 2031.”

She continued: “The first and second editions of the Ramp-Up programme witnessed strong participation from
Emirati entrepreneurs exceeding the total of 124, which reflects the importance of the programme in supporting
national entrepreneurship and creating new opportunities for Emirati entrepreneurs. The second edition of the
programme contributed particularly to encouraging Emirati women entrepreneurs to establish businesses and launch
pioneering projects as they constituted 43% of total number of participants. It provided them an ideal platform to
exchange latest experiences and practices in the sector and learn from each other.”

Kalban said: “We are proud to support the UAE's ambition to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,
which is vital for our nation’s economic diversification and sustainable development. EGA Ramp-Up is a platform that
empowers local entrepreneurs to scale-up impactful solutions that can create value for the society and the
environment. I congratulate the graduates of season two and look forward to seeing their businesses grow and thrive
in the UAE and beyond.”

Kevin Holliday, Managing Director of C3 – Companies Creating Change, said: “The success of our inaugural season
laid a solid foundation, and this year, we have built on that momentum to continue fostering the growth of innovative
UAE-based startups. The achievements of the second EGA Ramp-Up reflects the powerful synergy and unwavering
commitment between EGA and the UAE entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are thrilled to support these startups and are
confident in their ability to make significant contributions to the UAE's economic and social progress.”

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