Virtuzone launches AMP – the MENA region’s first e-commerce accelerator programme

The UAE’s leading company formation specialists, Virtuzone, alongside Etisalat, Aramex and Launch DXB have announced the launch of AMP – the first accelerator programme dedicated to fast-tracking the growth of e-commerce startups in the country, amplifying their presence across the Middle East and North African region and further strengthening the UAE’s fast-growing digital economy.

George Hojeige, Chief Executive Officer of Virtuzone, said: “AMP [by Virtuzone] brings together the leaders in the UAE e-commerce sector and unifies them to provide a complete support infrastructure for e-commerce startups. Simultaneously, we are supporting other local key players and businesses such as HotDesk and Tasjeel, who can then play a part in bringing about the next startup success stories of the UAE. Through AMP, we seek to build a community of e-commerce entrepreneurs where they can exchange ideas, build partnerships and work together to elevate the country’s e-commerce sector.”

The AMP e-commerce-focused accelerator is run in collaboration with industry leaders such as Etisalat, Aramex, Launch DXB, HotDesk, Tasjeel.ae, HyperPay and more. Startups that join the AMP programme will get AED 60,000 worth of premium benefits and subsidies that cover the bulk of operating costs for trade licencing, bank account opening, e-commerce website development, payment gateway, digital marketing, shipping, warehousing, logistics, office space, and mentorship, among other e-commerce business requirements.

Esam Mahmoud, Senior Vice President, SMB, Etisalat, said: “Building an enabling environment for e-commerce businesses aligns with our vision at Etisalat to make e-commerce easier and more accessible. We are excited to collaborate with Virtuzone on the ‘Amplify programme’ AMP to create a holistic startup ecosystem in line with Etisalat’s strategic objectives of empowering the business ecosystem in the UAE and enabling digital transformation among SMBs, while equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need in one comprehensive business solution.”

Ahmed Marie, General Manager of Aramex in the UAE, said: “We are excited to be a part of this landmark initiative by Virtuzone, the first of its kind in the region. We share a similar goal with Virtuzone, which is to enable the uninterrupted growth and advancement of the country’s e-commerce business community. With this in mind, we have recently introduced Aramex SMART, an innovative solution that revolutionises the online shopping experience for both the buyers and e-tailers. We see AMP by Virtuzone as the ultimate opportunity for aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs to start their business, without worrying about significant costs, such as logistics and shipping overhead.”

The core objective of AMP by Virtuzone is to accelerate the growth process for aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs, minimise the risks and challenges involved, and put them in a position to succeed. To make AMP accessible to any entrepreneur, the accelerator programme is offered free of cost with the establishment of an e-commerce company with Virtuzone.

Neil Petch, Chairman and Co-founder of Virtuzone, said: “We have launched AMP by Virtuzone with a vision to create a space that enables creative collisions to occur among e-commerce founders that can lead to phenomenal outcomes. With the tremendous growth of the UAE’s digital economy, which now accounts for 4.3 percent of the nation’s GDP, we felt that it is our duty to create the perfect opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to harness this potential, while supporting the vision of the UAE government to build a robust digital economy and facilitate digital transformation across all sectors. Our goal is to enable the success of new e-commerce businesses, and not just to see them survive, but to thrive.”