Encrea Studio has been honored with the prestigious Creative MSME of the Year award at the inaugural MSME Awards in the Maldives.
The award ceremony, organized by the Business Center Corporation (BCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, marks a significant milestone as the first initiative of its kind dedicated to recognizing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the nation. The Encrea studio team received the award from Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.
This recognition underscores Encrea’s profound contribution to the expansion and advancement of the Maldivian creative industry. The studio was nominated in the highly competitive judges’ category alongside well-regarded firms, Publicity Bureau and Toddy, highlighting the strength and innovation present within the sector.
Founded in 2019 by Hussain Jinan and Shazif Adam, Encreare Pvt Ltd (Encrea) has rapidly evolved from a boutique creative studio into a dynamic technology and creative solutions company. Known for seamlessly blending design thinking with digital innovation, Encrea has established itself as one of the country’s most forward-thinking creative firms, actively reshaping the intersection of design, culture, and technology to tell meaningful Maldivian stories. Jinan and Shazif initially connected as organizers of Techstars Startup Weekend 2017, discovering a mutual passion for purposeful, strategy-driven brand building that eventually led to the formation of Encrea, a company now widely recognized for embedding values, strategy, and storytelling into every project.
Over the years, Encrea has successfully led several high-profile national projects. These include the branding for the SAFF Championship 2021, the comprehensive National ID Card redesign, and the Addu Tourism brand unveiled at WTM London 2024. The studio also developed the branding for Vara Expo 2025. Beyond creative design, their technological contributions are substantial, including supporting BCC’s digital transformation through the Kumevi platform, developing the DALA system for the NDMA, and building Agumagu, the Ministry of Economic Development’s price-monitoring portal. The company is now strategically expanding into the crucial health-tech sector.
The team strengthened further in 2022 when Abdulla Shafeeu (Abo) joined as a partner, leading to the establishment of the Dhivehi Type Foundry. Through initiatives such as the Akuru Store, the Maldives’ first marketplace dedicated exclusively to Thaana fonts, Encrea continues to champion local language preservation, cultural identity, and creative empowerment within the Maldivian design community.
Looking ahead, Encrea plans to significantly expand the Akuru ecosystem and launch the A Design Thinkers Festival. These initiatives reinforce its core mission to elevate Maldivian creativity through culturally grounded, purpose-driven innovation. With its latest recognition at the MSME Awards, Encrea Studio is well-positioned to inspire and shape the next chapter of the Maldives’ vibrant creative landscape.
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Mary Naaz
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