Page 38 - KFED PR REPORT LOCAL - AUGUST 2025

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MAKE and Khalifa Fund launch the 5 Cohort of Athath
Fellowship 2025 to empower the new generation

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01 August 2025, Abu Dhabi – MAKE has launched its 5 cohort of the Athath Fellowship 2025,
in partnership with Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, inviting all next-gen aspiring
furniture entrepreneurs to reimagine the world of furniture design. The application call, launched

last month, welcomed those who view furniture as a functional design, and the selected applicants

are interviewed in June 2025. Every phase of the programme is dedicated to unraveling unique
skills and visionary ideas.

Hosted by MAKE at their facility in Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi, from July to 11 October 2025,

the programme is structured in three distinct phases and will combine 8 training -sessions to equip

aspiring creatives in furniture design with the tools to launch and grow their businesses. From
shifting the mindset to entrepreneurial thinking, to mastering the Business Model Canvas,

operational planning, pricing, branding, and digital marketing, each session offers practical
insights led by industry experts. The programme also covers growth strategies and the essentials

of setting up a business legally in the UAE.This year’s edition is supported by Khalifa Fund for
Enterprise Development, whose mission aligns 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