Du has announced the renewal of its partnership with Shelter, to continue to support the UAE's entrepreneurs.

Shelter is a unique, non-profit business incubation project, and one of the UAE's most active community education platforms, offering aspiring businessmen and women a place to turn their enterprising ideas into successful reality. 

The partnership renewal was announced in the presence of Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand & Communications, Du & Ahmed Bin Shabib, one of the Emirati Co-Founders of Shelter.

Since its inception, Du has been a keen supporter of up-and-coming businesses in the UAE. The telecom provides products that are specifically tailored to provide small-medium enterprises (SMEs), with value-added benefits that offer a competitive edge. Additionally, Du will launch the region's first reality TV show dedicated to SMEs, 'The Entrepreneur', in September 2012 - through which the dreams of one enterprising entrepreneur will be made into a business reality. 

Shelter provides small businesses and start-ups a free office infrastructure with high-speed internet powered by Du. Entrepreneurs can attend high quality educational events such as workshops and master classes, while collaborating, sharing and learning with like-minded individuals about business, social responsibility, culture and society. 

"By supporting the entrepreneurs of the UAE through our partnership with Shelter, we are empowering individuals to become successful contributors to our country's economy. We have been very pleased with the number of entrepreneurs that have benefitted from this innovative centre, and look forward to assisting even more Emiratis and UAE residents to achieve their full business potential as we continue in our collaboration with Shelter," said Hala Badri, Executive Vice President, Brand and Communications, Du. 

"Our partnership with Du has allowed us to facilitate the progression of entrepreneurial culture in the UAE. The renewal of our affiliation will give us the opportunity to continue to support and assist businessmen and women as they explore the possibilities of being a profitable entrepreneur. There have been numerous success stories to come from Shelter so far, and there is a lot more promise yet to be seen amongst the enterprising UAE community," said Ahmed Bin Shabib, one of the Emirati Co-Founders of Shelter, Shelter. 

One of the most prominent success stories to come from Shelter is Momentum Dubai, which has grown to become the region's premiere retailer of vintage watches. Specialising in the trade and preservation of waters, Momentum is now based in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), after beginning life as a start-up in the Shelter Dubai incubation centre. 

An up-and-coming venture that will highlight the unique aspects of the UAE's cuisine culture is Barzh. Founded by three Emirati entrepreneurs, this start-up is about to launch www.barzh.ae, an exciting portal providing information about Emirati food. Additionally, Barzh will be established as a retail brand to connect the general public to traditional Emirati cooks. The founders are currently using Shelter Dubai as their hub for collaboration, developing marketing collateral, establishing their business plan and launching the concept. 

In the past year, Shelter has had more than 6000 visits for workspace usage and event attendance (with more than 70 community events since August 2011). Its website, shelter.ae, has had more than 20,000 unique hits - a clear sign that the need for such a space is high.