Oman's NBC takes part in global online startup competition on COVID-19

Muscat: The National Business Centre (NBC), which pertains to the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates – Madayn, took part in the global online startup weekend competition that aimed at crafting new ideas to fight coronavirus (COVID-19) with the participation of 83 countries around the world.

NBC participated in this virtual event alongside Riyada and in cooperation with Al Rud'ha, Al Jabr Company and Techstars.

During the competition, NBC offered incubation opportunities for the winning projects in case they are in line with the incubation terms, as well as the opportunity of joining the pre-incubation programme.

Moreover, a number of NBC officials took part in the event as mentors to offer advice and guidance to the participating teams.

The three-day virtual version of the startup weekend competition featured a series of workshops to develop the presented ideas.

From the Sultanate, Wareed won the first place for offering an online medical platform that easily connects those infected with COVID-19 with their doctors.

Pick Pack came in the second place for their idea of facilitating shipments of SMEs’ products and home projects by providing product design and packaging services.

The third place was awarded to Joy team for providing an online educational platform for the students and for people with special needs.

It should be noted that NBC is an initiative launched by Madayn at the Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) to offer promising Omani entrepreneurs a platform to develop their business ideas and advance them into growing ventures.

The centre aims at becoming the premier platform for Omani entrepreneurs through facilitating and supporting the growth of investable ideas into successful businesses; building entrepreneurial skills through dedicated and focused training, coaching and mentoring; and providing business support facilities from office space, administrative support, financial support to consultancy services that are crucial in ensuring the success and survival of new ventures.