EBDA offers opportunities to young entrepreneurs

Supported by BP Oman under its Social Investment Programme, Al Rud’ha launched ‘EBDA’, a new capacity building programme for graduates of entrepreneurial competitions. EBDA was introduced to the public in a ceremony held at Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada) headquarters.

This is a reflection of BP Oman’s determination to contribute to the empowerment of youth, build their capacities and strive to promote entrepreneurship in the Sultanate. The event addressed the general features and elements of the programme.

“The EBDA programme is an important addition to the entrepreneurial environment in Oman. It focuses on linking student companies from various business venture competitions to existing resources available to them by ensuring preparedness and objectivity. We expect the programme to further enhance the entrepreneurial spirit within youth who wish to seriously pursue their objectives and goals. The programme’s success will have an impact on improved prospects for would-be start-ups in the Omani ecosystem,” commented Dr Adham al Said, Partner of The Firm, which is one of the implementing partners of the BP Oman’s Social Investment Programme.

“We are thankful to BP Oman for their support in developing this four month skills and knowledge acquiring programme that ends with a micro investment opportunity through the Omani business angels’ network, Al Hub’ta event. We are aiming to build better solutions for entrepreneurs to learn, work and network. We believe they are able to build the future and create real economic impact,” said Mohammed al Wahaibi, Chief Executive Officer of Al Rud’ha.

‘EBDA’ is designed to be timefriendly, task based and relies heavily on teamwork. By being in a coworking space, each team will have the freedom to utilise different resources including, workspace, mentors’ guidance and advices from other coworkers for the entire period of the programme as well as other benefits of their membership at Al Rud’ha.

Each step of ‘EBDA’ was derived from real problems that were observed through Al Rud’ha’s co-working space. The goal is to create an environment for early stage startups to succeed by reducing or eliminating common mistakes, speeding the start-up learning processes and creating links with major players in the ecosystem.

“EBDA plays a critical role in providing further guidance to participants of various other preincubation programmes. Applicants get a chance to acquire skills that they might lack and strengthen the core of their business venture. These entrepreneurs are given a chance to meet investors and prove that their enterprise is feasible. “BP Oman therefore, collaborated with Al Rud’ha to help these young entrepreneurs enter the highly competitive job market,” said Shabib al Mamari, BP Oman’s Communication and External Affairs Manager.

Al Rud’ha, which translates to “the lounge”, is the first ever co-working space created to help young Omanis mitigate challenges such as lack of funds and networking skills they face while kick starting their dream businesses.

Members can rent workspaces as well as hold meetings and workshops in an environment that provides them with the necessary tools to further develop their business amidst likeminded people.