Encrea Wins Top Creative Award at Maldives’ First MSME Awards

Encrea Studio has been awarded Creative MSME of the Year at the first-ever MSME Awards in the Maldives.

The award was organized by the Business Center Corporation (BCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, marking the first initiative of its kind in the country.

The recognition highlights Encrea’s outstanding contribution to the growth and development of the Maldivian creative industry. The studio was nominated in the judges’ category alongside Publicity Bureau and Toddy, reflecting the strength of competition within the sector.

Founded in 2019 by Hussain Jinan and Shazif Adam, Encreare Pvt Ltd (Encrea) has grown from a boutique creative studio into a dynamic technology and creative solutions company. Known for blending design thinking with digital innovation, Encrea has established itself as one of the country’s most forward-thinking creative firms, reshaping how design, culture and technology intersect to tell meaningful Maldivian stories.

Jinan and Shazif first met as organizers of Techstars Startup Weekend 2017, where they discovered a shared passion for purposeful, strategy-driven brand building. Their collaboration soon developed into Encrea, now widely recognized for embedding values, strategy and storytelling into every project.

Over the years, Encrea has led several high-profile national projects, including branding for the SAFF Championship 2021, the National ID Card redesign and the Addu Tourism brand unveiled at WTM London 2024. The studio also developed the branding for Vara Expo 2025. Its technological contributions include supporting BCC’s digital transformation through Kumevi, developing the DALA system for the NDMA and building Agumagu, the Ministry of Economic Development’s price-monitoring portal. Encrea is now expanding into the health-tech sector.

The team grew 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 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 expand the Akuru ecosystem and launch the A Design Thinkers Festival, reinforcing its mission to elevate Maldivian creativity through culturally grounded, purpose-driven innovation.

With its latest recognition at the MSME Awards, Encrea Studio stands poised to inspire and shape the next chapter of the Maldives’ creative landscape.