Majid Al Futtaim, a major retail and lifestyle conglomerate in the Middle East, has announced the inaugural cohort for its Ma’an initiative, a new platform designed to scale homegrown businesses in the UAE. In partnership with Dubai SME, the program has selected 27 local creative SMEs, granting them complimentary access to premium retail space across the group’s extensive network.
Quick Facts
- 27 UAE-based SMEs selected for first cohort.
- Free access to Majid Al Futtaim’s retail ecosystem.
- Partnership with Dubai SME and Dubai Culture.
Bridging the Gap for Homegrown Creatives
The Ma’an platform was established to address one of the most significant challenges for small businesses: gaining commercial visibility. The initiative offers a direct path to market by placing local brands on the shop floors of high-footfall locations, including THAT Concept Store, Crate & Barrel, and VOX Cinemas, at no cost.
This move effectively removes a major barrier to entry for creative entrepreneurs, providing them a launchpad within established retail environments. The first group of businesses features a diverse mix of homegrown talent, with brands like Silsal, Oomi Coffee, Bliss Flowers, Maison Tini, and Matcha Theory among the first to be showcased. The platform is expected to expand across more Majid Al Futtaim properties in the coming weeks.
A Public-Private Push for Dubai’s Creative Economy
The initiative is a direct result of a public-private partnership aimed at bolstering the local economy, aligning with Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s Creative Sector Resilience Portfolio. This collaboration focuses on providing tangible support to creative ventures that often face the steepest climb to gain visibility and growth.
Khalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, commented on the launch: “Creative entrepreneurs bring fresh energy, ideas, and originality to our destinations, and we’re proud to welcome this first cohort into the Majid Al Futtaim ecosystem. Their talent enriches the experiences we create for our customers every day. This cohort is an exciting start, and as Ma’an expands, we look forward to opening even more doors for creative founders to grow, collaborate, and thrive within our ecosystem.”
Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, added that the initiative reflects a commitment to building an integrated ecosystem for local talent. “Ma’an, as one of the key projects under the portfolio, reflects Dubai Culture’s commitment, alongside its private sector partners, to building an integrated ecosystem that enhances the readiness of the sector and supports its continued growth. This aligns with Dubai’s vision to strengthen its position as a global hub for the creative economy.”
About Ma’an by Majid Al Futtaim
Ma’an is a dedicated platform created by Majid Al Futtaim in partnership with Dubai SME to support and scale UAE-based small and medium-sized enterprises. The initiative provides homegrown creative businesses with complimentary access to premium retail environments and marketing amplification across Majid Al Futtaim’s shopping malls, retail stores, and entertainment destinations. It is designed as a long-term commitment to nurture the next generation of retail innovators in the UAE.
Source: Zawya
