We decided to engage with La Turbine, an incubator created by the ENL Group to see how we could help its incubators. The message was clear: Ascencia, through its Malls, could provide them with a much needed exposure as well as patronage. We organised an Ascencia Challenge in November 2020 and short listed 10 incubators. Since then, we have engaged with one of them to implement our new Proptech platform, Infraspeak.

In parallel, the pandeminc brought about a new local production – consumption paradigm.

We leveraged on our partnership with La Turbine to engage with local entrepreneurs that would be relevant to our concept. As a case in point, Mamawok was identified during our interactions with La Turbine.

We also used our existing network to identify 29 other local entrepreneurs to create this unique concept. Our conventional leasing process had to be adapted as we had to work closely with each entrepreneur to provide guidance on each shop ( refinement of concept, look and feel, pricing…etc), a fast-track incubation.42 Market Street was born with resounding success.

We also collaborated with a number of NGOs and organised blood donations, food distribution as well as a financial donation of Rs 104,000 to help people with disabilities.