DAFZA launches innovative program to accelerate business growth and development of Freezone’s companies

Double Up 3M Program to give opportunity to effectively benefit from world-class mentorship and educational components

 The Innovation Unit at Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) has commenced the Double Up 3M business accelerator program custom-designed to identify and remove barriers faced by the Freezone’s clients. The goal of the initiative is to create a tailor-made acceleration plan for each ‘M’ – Mission, Market and Money – of the participating enterprises as well as a viable timeframe for achieving targets.

Double Up 3M is an intensive 95-day, four-phase capacity building and accelerator program open to all DAFZA clients who will be given the opportunity to effectively scale their businesses and benefit from world-class mentorship and educational components aimed at expediting business growth innovatively. Phase 1 will involve an Awareness and Educational Campaign, Phase 2 will focus on Customer Discovery and Validation, Phase 3 will be dedicated to Designing and Delivering the Program, while Phase 4 will be for Post Program Impact Assessment.

Representatives of some of the international companies at the freezone

Participants will go through three rounds centering on the three central themes of Market, Mission, and Money. Round 1 – Market will concentrate on digital marketing strategies, competitor analysis and market sizing, while Round 2 – Mission will explore the integration of strategy with execution, strategic thinking and intuition, and the power of human capital. Round 3 – Money will delve on cash flow and financial forecasting and investment analysis. Each round will include three one-on-one mentoring sessions. The results of the program will be presented by participants during UAE Innovation Week 2016.

Amna Lootah, Assistant Director General – Finance and Commercial, Dubai Airport Freezone Authority said: “The Double Up 3M program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity we are providing to our clients to enable them to further refine their business plan, advance their investment and partnership agenda, and create a solid pitch for partners and investors or for gaining funding to double-up and scale their business. Participants will learn how to boost their revenue exponentially by maximizing their ability to capitalize on Market, Mission and Money and will get the chance to interact with other highly motivated entrepreneurs and SMEs as well as engage with Impact Hub Dubai’s international network. They will also have the honor of presenting the results of their experiences under the program during the UAE Innovation Week. DAFZA will continue to implement similar programs to help our clients achieve the highest levels of productivity, quality and excellence.”

The DAFZA-tailored Double Up 3M program is being overseen by Impact Hub Dubai, one of Dubai’s largest communities of entrepreneurs, creatives and techies. It is part of a global network of over 90 similar Hubs spread across six continents providing support for more than 12,000 entrepreneurs worldwide.