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Applications are now open!

 

Following the success of last year’s inaugural EGA Ramp-Up - powered by C3, we are excited to announce the launch of Emirates Global Aluminium's second season of the programme.

The initiative aims to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, fostering businesses that will contribute to the UAE economy and create new job opportunities.

Season 2 of EGA Ramp-Up

In its inaugural season, the programme delivered transformative training and mentorship to entrepreneurs with ventures in environment, digital innovations, human capital and community impact.

Throughout the mentorship journey, startups built valuable connections and exchanged knowledge with experienced mentors. The programme culminated in an Investor Pitch Day, providing a prominent platform for startups to showcase their transformative journey to a distinguished panel of impact and sustainability experts and investors.

This event not only paved the way for collaborations with EGA but also facilitated access to financial support. Finalists were chosen to pilot initiatives and integrate their solutions within EGA, advancing local procurement and supporting promising local businesses. 

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The programme aims to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs, whose businesses will grow the economy and create new job opportunities. It is tailored to accelerate the growth of your startup, providing invaluable support on impact and business fundamentals. Benefit from the guidance of international experts and trainers in a dynamic learning environment through a curated series of live online courses and interactive group workshops.

If you identify as one of these entrepreneurs, seize this opportunity!

Ramp-Up is powered by C3 – Companies Creating Change, the leading impact innovation solutions provider in the Middle East and Africa, geared towards identifying and scaling 'profit with a purpose' startups that are focused on solving the world's most pressing environmental and social challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Leveraging C3's network of trainers, experts, investors, and alumni, the Ramp-Up empowers impact-driven startups to become active catalysts for positive change.

Why apply for EGA Ramp-Up?

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Receive training and practical support

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Access a network of experts and mentors

 

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Access market opportunities

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Potential to receive financial rewards and collaboration with EGA

How to apply?

Step 1:
Fill in the Short Form

Provide us with some high-level information about yourself and register your interest in attending Phase 1, the live online courses, introducing impact entrepreneurship. Once you fill in the short form, you will receive a confirmation email and will subsequently be invited to the online courses.

Step 2:
Fill in the Long Form

Provide us with more details about your founding team, your startup and your commitment to take part in EGA Ramp-Up by filling out the long form by 28th April.

 

 

Step 3:
Take the C3 Growth Predictor Test

If you have completed the long form, you will receive an email for you to complete the C3 Growth Predictor Test right after the application deadline. The test has been uniquely designed by C3 to assess startups’ growth potential based on a self-assessment covering 5 key pillars.

Step 4:
Receive the Cohort Selection Results and Be Onboarded to the Programme

The EGA Ramp-Up team will use well-defined criteria to select the programme’s cohort, consisting of 20 UAE-based startups. Attending the startup workshops is mandatory for all applicants who wish to be considered for mentoring support.

Step 5:
Take Part in the Final Part of the Programme 

The cohort of 20 selected startups will be requested to submit an updated pitch deck and pitch video. These deliverables will be reviewed and assessed by our experts, who will select 10 startups to take part in the mentoring stage. 

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Founder

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Are you eligible to apply?

For the 20 startups that will be selected to participate in the second part of the programme:

To apply for EGA Ramp-Up, the startup must meet the following criteria:

  • • Have an early-stage startup operational for one year with at least a Minimum Viable Product (Seed-stage and pre-series A startups)
  • • Be registered in the UAE
  • • Contribute to at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • • Founders must be fluent in written and spoken English

Sector eligibility

  • • Environment
  • • Supply Chain and Logistics
  • • Digital Innovators
  • • Human Capital
  • • Community Impact
  • • Health and Safety

How will founders be selected?

Mentorship cohort selection criteria

Ten startups will be shortlisted to take part in the mentoring phase of the programme

  • • Engagement and progress of the participants over the online courses and workshops will be assessed.
  • • Candidates for mentoring will be assessed according to their startup needs, their strategy, and potential involvement with EGA

20 startup cohort selection criteria

  • • Startups will be shortlisted based on alignment with the sector and eligibility criteria
  • • Submitted applications will be assessed based on five criteria:
    • - Solution Innovation
    • - Business Scalability
    • - Social Impact Scalability
    • - People
    • - Presentation and Application Quality

FAQs

What benefits do I get from being on EGA Ramp-Up?

You will gain exclusive access to an enriching online learning experience facilitated by C3 trainers who have extensive experience in impact and entrepreneurship. Through these training sessions, you will enhance your understanding of impact and business fundamentals, enabling you to effectively scale your growth and maximise your positive influence.

Additionally, you will receive personalised guidance from mentors who are experts in your fields. This curated support will provide you with valuable insights and foster meaningful connections, allowing you to network with like-minded change-makers who share your passion for making a difference.

If selected, finalists will have the opportunity to participate in the final event and pitch in front of a panel of experts and investors in the C3 and EGA networks. You will be provided with the opportunity to receive financial rewards from EGA, and the potential to pilot solutions for them.

In which subsectors should my startup operate to align with the themes of the programme?

To qualify, your business should operate within specific subsectors aligned with the programme's themes. Here's a breakdown of the subsectors eligible for each theme:

 

  • Environment: Recycling, Post-Consumer Aluminum Recycling, GHG Emissions, Biodiversity, Air Quality, Waste Management, Decarbonisation
  • Supply Chain and Logistics: Simplified Processes, Warehousing Operations, Responsible Procurement, Responsible Sourcing: Contractors’ Relationships
  • Digital Innovations: Sustainable IT Solutions, Blockchain, Robotics, AI, Digital / IT / Generative Industry
  • Human Capital: Talent Identification, Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Wellbeing/ Communication, Emiratisation
  • Community Impact: Youth Education, Skills Development, Gender Diversity, Women Empowerment, Mentorship Platforms
  • Health and Safety: Occupational health and safety services, Health and wellness products/services, Workplace safety

Please note that these are general categories, and specific eligibility criteria may vary.

Are NGOs or NPOs eligible to apply?

No, EGA Ramp-Up is specifically designed for for-profit companies that are making a positive impact through their business operations. While NGOs and NPOs play crucial roles in driving societal and environmental change, this programme is tailored for for-profit impact startups.

How are startups selected for the programme?

Startups undergo a rigorous selection process, including an application review and evaluation by the C3 Programmes Team, and EGA Heads of Departments. Selection criteria include the potential for impact, scalability, team capabilities, and alignment with EGA’s goals. 

How much time do I have to dedicate to the programme?

The training will run online for 2 weeks, with an estimated 8 hours per week of your time required to complete pre-reading, attend interactive workshops and submit key deliverables. The mentorship phase will run for 3 months, with two hours dedicated to mentorship meetings, per startup per mentor. 

Is there any financial or equity requirement from the startups to take part in the programme?

The programme is free of charge for selected startups. We do not require any financial investment from you nor do we provide funding in return for equity. We believe that it is our role to support impact-driven founders on their journey without adding any additional financial burdens on their startup. However, you are expected to commit your time, dedication, and active participation throughout the programme. 

What are the requirements if I am selected for EGA Ramp-Up?

If you are chosen to participate in the programme, you will need to register as a supplier on EGA’s portal and sign the specified agreement.

I want to help! Can I become a mentor?

If you want to become a mentor or help advise the startups please reach out to egaramp-up@wegrowwithc3.com and please share some details about yourself, your background, and interests.

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