Majid Al Futtaim Launches Innovative Concept Store 'Launchpad X' to Supercharge Local Startups
In a strategic move to foster innovation and support the growth of local startups, Majid Al Futtaim, one of the leading operators of shopping malls, communities, retail, and leisure across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, has announced the grand opening of Launchpad X. This dynamic concept store, situated in City Centre Mirdif, is set to provide an unparalleled platform for budding businesses in the region.
Launchpad X: Nurturing Local Talent
Launchpad X is a unique concept store designed to showcase and promote local startups and entrepreneurs. The store is home to a diverse range of local brands that have demonstrated exceptional innovation, creativity, and growth potential. The ‘X’ in Launchpad X symbolises the spirit of collaboration, aligning with Majid Al Futtaim’s commitments to supporting homegrown brands on their journey to global recognition.
Among the brands featured at Launchpad X are participants from Majid Al Futtaim’s pioneering Launchpad Accelerator Programme, which was initiated last year to nurture entrepreneurship and support small and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] in their pursuit of innovation and growth.
Unlocking Opportunities for Local Businesses
The Launchpad X concept store offers these promising startups unparalleled go-to-market opportunities within the Majid Al Futtaim shopping mall ecosystem. It serves as a platform for connecting these emerging businesses with a broader customer base.
The Launchpad X portfolio includes a diverse array of brands, such as:
Wallace & Co: A leading luxury home fragrances company.
Reform: A sustainable luxury fashion and home essentials brand.
LC: A premium active and loungewear brand.
Koala Picks: A provider of healthy snacks for families.
HypeSelection: An upcoming sneaker and streetwear boutique.
Blue Matcha: A spot for premium matcha and coffee drinks.
Bambah: A fashion line and women’s boutique.
Kiliim: An Egyptian sustainable and ethnic crafts brand.
Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of the UAE Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim properties, expressed his delight at the Launchpad X inauguration. He stated, “We are confident that Launchpad X will not only connect the region’s leading start-ups to new opportunities that strengthen their commercial footprint but also be a catalyst for innovation and a powerful force for driving the region’s economic development.”
Majid Al Futtaim’s Launchpad X Accelerator Program, in partnership with AstroLabs, Microsoft, and DIFC Launchpad, has been instrumental in supporting and investing in innovative startups and SMEs. It has a strong focus on various segments, including fashion and lifestyle, leisure, climate tech, and community development. Notably, nearly 50 percent of the program’s initial cohort of winners were female entrepreneurs, highlighting its commitments to diversity and inclusion.
With the rollout of Launchpad X, program winners now have the opportunity to explore a broader commercial customer base, furthering the group”s vision of fostering a globally integrated business environment.
The second edition of Majid Al Futtaim’s Launchpad Accelerator Programme is set to announce its new winners around September 27, with a particular focus on homegrown and climate tech segments. This initiative continues to play a pivotal role in supporting local entrepreneurs and driving innovation in the region.
