Page 189 - KFED PR REPORT LOCAL - AUGUST 2025

8/4/25, 11:51 AM MAKE and Khalifa Fund launch the 5th Cohort of Athath Fellowship 2025 to empower the new generation – Executive Bulletin
with the fellowship’s goal of empowering emerging entrepreneurs and building a dynamic, innovation-
driven ecosystem. This edition will bring together a new generation of talents committed to shaping the

regional dialogue on aesthetics, functionality, and innovation in modern furniture design. Khalifa Fund’s

support also emphasises the fellowship’s commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering commercially
sustainable design practices in the UAE.

Her Excellency Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said:
“We are proud to support Athath Fellowship 2025 as part of our commitment to fostering entrepreneurial

talent in the creative industries. This programme not only empowers young designers with the tools and
knowledge to thrive, but also aligns with our broader vision of enabling sustainable, design-led enterprises

that contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for knowledge-based, innovation-driven

economy.

Talal AlAnsari, General Manager of MAKE, added: “This version of the programme, developed in

partnership with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, is rooted in cultural relevance, functional
design, and commercial appeal, focusing on creating furniture pieces that are market-ready and

meaningful. It welcomes all participants with the skills and mindset to become entrepreneurs in the world
of furniture design, providing a launchpad for their careers in furniture making and design innovation. We

aim to build a future where design enhances our lives, and each piece of furniture becomes a living

example of creativity and practicality.”At the conclusion of the cohort, participants will present their
completed prototypes at Dubai Design Week in November 2025. This showcase will celebrate their

creative achievements and offer invaluable exposure, connecting emerging designers directly with

decision-makers, private clients and the community of interiors, architecture, and product innovation. By
backing programmes that blend creativity with business acumen, Khalifa Fund and MAKE continue to

nurture a new generation of talent, contributing to the ‘UAE’s vision of a diversified and innovative-

driven economy.

About Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development:

The Khalifa Fund is an independent, non-profit organisation affiliated with the Abu Dhabi Government.
Its mission is to nurture a culture of entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and support small and

medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UAE through a balanced ecosystem.

Founded in 2007, the Fund was established to align with the vision of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

Al Nahyan.

To learn more about the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, please visit: www.khalifafund.ae

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