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For those of us who grew up reading books, there must have been a moment in our childhood when we imagined ourselves as the protagonist of a story. But what if there was a way for kids to become the stars of their own stories? Well, that’s exactly what Hekayati, a UAE-based platform for personalized children’s content, is trying to do. “At Hekayati, we are on a mission to revolutionize children’s literature by turning each story into a magical adventure uniquely designed for every young reader,” said Hekayati Founder and CEO (CEO) Asif Mugloo said. “By making each child the hero of their own story, we boost children’s morale and boost their confidence.In a world dominated by generic content, there is a gap in the market for personalized stories that resonate with each child’s personality. We realized that there is.”
The services of the Hekayati platform launched in 2021 work in the following order: Parents or guardians can choose the stories their child likes on the site, submit information about the child’s name, gender, and even choose her online avatar. The book is then created and can be reviewed by adults, after which it can be ordered and delivered to the address provided.
Mugulu says all of these efforts are a conscious effort to move away from the typical narrative in children’s literature. “Hekayati aims to solve the challenge of breaking away from traditional storytelling methods,” says Mugulu. “Our inspiration comes from our belief that every child deserves a story that reflects their dreams, interests and aspirations. From building impactful partnerships to guiding creative endeavors. My focus is on ensuring that Hekayati continues to be at the vanguard of innovation in this field of personalized children’s stories. ”
Now, according to the 2020 annual literacy survey conducted by the UK-based National Literacy Trust, one in three young people aged 9 to 18 said they could not read. Let’s take a moment to consider the impact of such personalized children’s stories. I see myself in what I read. The same study notes that this statistic is not only higher for younger children, but also for children from ethnic minority backgrounds and low-income families. So what Hekayati aims to achieve by “incorporating children’s names and likenesses into engaging stories” is an opportunity to further increase the diversity and inclusivity of the stories children read today.
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“Hekayati’s unique selling proposition lies in its ability to personalize the story, as each child is unique,” adds Mugloo. “Unlike typical children’s books, our personalized storybooks are tailored to create highly engaging and relatable experiences that place children as the protagonists. It’s created with a human touch to ensure the emotional and personal aspects of the storytelling are never lost. What’s more, we work with local expert authors, illustrators, editors and more to ensure that what we create is We are still careful not to lose sight of local values and culture.”
So far, Hekayati has started offering personalized storybooks in the UAE and is gradually expanding to Saudi Arabia and other parts of the GCC. While sales of these books are a large part of the revenue model, the startup has also managed to secure some productive partnerships along the way. “We are always looking for opportunities to collaborate with strategic partners, such as football clubs and educational institutions, to expand our reach and impact,” explains McGrew. “For example, we have achieved important milestones through collaborations with esteemed partners such as Expo 2020 Dubai and Al Ain Football Club. We have also achieved significant milestones by securing initial angel investment in funding. , we were able to establish a brand presence and start operations efficiently. Hekayati’s journey in Dubai was equally challenging and rewarding.”
For now, despite continued growth, Mugloo believes his startup still has a lot to work on. And a direct reflection of that attitude is his answer to the question of why he chose the MBRIF Innovation Accelerator Program. “I think it was the other way around,” he says. “We are very pleased to have been selected for the latest cohort. This proves that what we are aiming for resonates with professionals in the region. We wanted to join the MBRIF program because of its reputation for identifying ‘business and cutting-edge innovation initiatives in the region. ”
And, according to Mugloo, the program’s dedication to supporting startups aligns with Hekayati’s own vision for growth and development. “Our comprehensive support, from strategic guidance to access to financing and market insights, makes MBRIF the ideal partner on our journey,” he added. “Furthermore, this program’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration perfectly complements our goals, making it a strategic choice to advance Hekayati within Dubai’s dynamic landscape. ”
So where does Mugloo want his startup to end up in the future? As we continue, we envision significant growth and market expansion,” he declares. “With our unique combination of personalized storytelling and strategic collaboration, we believe Hekayati will deliver sustained success and positive impact over the long term.”
Related: Startup Spotlight: UAE-based unipreneurs are empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators in the country
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