Scale7 launches pre-incubation and incubation Wave 2

Buoyed by the success of the pre-incubation and incubation Wave 1 programmes, Scale7, the first fashion and design business incubator in Qatar founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB), in partnership with M7, kicked off the second wave of the pre-incubation and incubation programmes for the fashion and design industry.

Scale7’s pre-incubation Wave 2, which commenced on March 3 and will run until March 14, aims to introduce startups and entrepreneurs in the idea stage to entrepreneurship essentials and help them develop and transform their preliminary idea or business concept into a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and eventually gradually into a solid brand in the fashion and design industry.Wave 2 of the four-week-long pre-incubation programme received more than 50 applications and after thorough reviews, 12 participants were shortlisted to pitch their business concepts and join the programme full-time. Entrepreneurs taking part in the pre-incubation programme will receive professional one-on-one mentoring and guidance sessions with industry specialists, as well as partners from world-class organisations and global leaders in the fashion and design industry.During pre-incubation Wave 2 programme, four specialised workshops will be hosted to enable participants to understand the nuances of starting a brand, preparing the business model, creating business plans, and selecting the right materials.Concurrently, the three-month-long incubation Wave 2 programme is also taking place and is scheduled to conclude on May 16. The programme targets startups who have existing MVPs and coaches them to product launch Entrepreneurs taking part in the incubation programme will be entitled to smart funding and in-kind services that will be of help throughout the programme period. These entrepreneurs will gain continuous mentorship from global experts who will also be providing approximately 16 hours of relevant workshops that assist in the growth of the business.Furthermore, the participating startups gain the privilege to access networking opportunities with industry experts in the fashion and technology innovation ecosystem. The programmes will encompass eight workshops, two speaker series, and 20 hours of FTA one-on-one coaching, as well as 60 hours of international expert mentorship. In addition, the incubation programme’s participants will also get insights into aspects, such as e-commerce, legal requirements for starting a business, and making an impressive pitch, among others.Aysha Khalifa al-Romaihi, project manager of Scale7, said: “We are elated to announce the launch of the pre-incubation and incubation Wave 2 programmes for our talented fashion and design startups. 2021 has been a very fruitful year for us as we have witnessed the emergence of promising entrepreneurs from Qatar in large numbers through Scale7 platform.“To continue our vision to support and empower these talents emerging from Qatar, we have decided to further our expanse through the second edition of pre-incubation and incubation programs. We are confident these platforms will refine the incredible ideas of these fashion startups and will offer them an impactful launch pad in their entrepreneurial journey.”