(Photo from El Mashrou3)
After a successful first season, which airs every Saturday at 11pm on Al Nahar TV, El Mashrou3 has announced the launch of a second season and is now accepting applications from prospective contestants.
El Mashrou3 is one of Egypt’s first reality TV shows for and about young entrepreneurs. The show aims to improve entrepreneurship in Egypt and the Arab world by connecting contestants with workshops, seminars and expert help.
The casting for season two is a long process that can take a few months. Applicants are asked to fill out a simple form with information about them and their projects. The team of El Mashrou3 will then review the applications and begin casting. Projects in all their forms are welcome, even if they are only just ideas.
“Season one has drawn an expanding fan base of young Egyptians who believe they posses enough flair and passion to kick start their entrepreneurial careers,” said Marwa Moaz, managing director of El Mashrou3. “We’re looking forward to a new season that brings entrepreneurs one step closer to realising their dreams.”
While season one continues to air on Al Nahar TV, aspiring entrepreneurs can apply for the preliminary phase of the second season, which is currently scheduled to air at the end of 2014. There are no confirmations yet that the show’s second season will air on Al Nahar TV, as El Mashrou3 is currently involved in talks with the network and sponsors. Omneya Nabil, business development and communications director at El Mashrou3 said, “The decision to launch the season two application process this soon was triggered by our audience. We love to listen to our fans, and we were overwhelmed with the support and feedback we received from our audience.”
El Mashrou3 season two will follow the same framework but the production team is working on introducing new ideas, challenges and a fresh format that will help create a greater impact and engagement with both viewers and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. El Mashrou3’s monitoring and evaluation programme is working on measuring the impact of the show to establish changes in season two that will magnify the show’s effect for contestants, viewers and the entrepreneurial milieu.
Entrepreneurship in Egypt grew in 2013, showing that innovation and creativity is a growth market. It continues to be a major focus of universities and organisations this year, as it draws more interest from big corporations as a way out of the ongoing economic crisis.
El Mashrou3 has paved the way for Egyptian youth who hope to venture into the world of entrepreneurship, guiding them within the dramatised realm of reality TV. A strong on-the-ground presence with more than 40 partners has given El Mashrou3 a personified existence that transcends beyond a purely entertaining reality show.
