The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) has announced plans to support over 1,000 entrepreneurs by 2030 through new initiatives aimed at strengthening Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and guided by the leadership of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sheraa, the centre continues to focus on empowering young people and advancing innovation. Sheikha Bodour has consistently emphasised that entrepreneurship and youth empowerment form the foundation of the emirate’s future.
Sheraa plays a central role in turning innovative ideas into viable, scalable businesses that create real impact both locally and globally. Its efforts also align with “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The campaign aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for entrepreneurship, supporting 10,000 Emirati entrepreneurs and generating 30,000 new jobs.
Since its establishment, Sheraa has helped over 450 startups, which have collectively generated more than US$370 million in revenue, attracted around US$300 million in investment, and created upwards of 2,600 jobs. These achievements highlight Sheraa’s growing role in advancing entrepreneurship and positioning Sharjah as a key centre for innovation.
Sarah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Sheraa, said, “At Sheraa, we believe that building a knowledge-based economy begins with empowering people, with a belief in their ability to transform their ideas into projects, and with their passion into added value for their community and nation. We are working to develop an integrated system that provides support at various stages of an entrepreneur’s journey, equipping them with the tools that enable them to grow sustainably and compete in regional and global markets.”
The organisation’s vision continues to take shape through various initiatives that assist entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, from concept development to business expansion. These initiatives create a complete ecosystem offering founders access to expertise, resources, and opportunities to transform innovative ideas into competitive enterprises that contribute to a sustainable, innovation-led economy.
Among Sheraa’s flagship initiatives is the Sharjah Startup Studio, an integrated accelerator programme that supports entrepreneurs in expanding and accelerating their businesses. The programme provides a comprehensive package of benefits worth over AED3 million, including specialised consultancy, funding opportunities, and access to digital tools.
Over a four-month period, participants engage in intensive training sessions combining hands-on experience, expert mentorship, and direct investor interaction. This approach enables founders to develop strong growth strategies and confidently explore new markets.
Sheraa also organises the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, which has become the largest platform of its kind in the region. Since its inception in 2017, the festival has brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers for workshops and discussions on the latest trends in innovation and entrepreneurship. With more than 44,000 visitors from around the world, the event will celebrate its ninth edition from 31st January to 1st February, continuing to serve as a vital platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Reflecting Sheraa’s commitment to connecting innovation with economic development, the centre has launched the Sharjah Gateway Challenge, a corporate innovation programme designed to bridge startups with Sharjah’s priority sectors. The challenge encourages innovative solutions across areas such as education, technology, agriculture, sustainability, and artificial intelligence. It allows emerging startups to develop practical, market-ready models that strengthen Sharjah’s standing as a regional hub for entrepreneurial growth.
In addition, Sheraa runs the Sharjah Impact Makers Fellowship, which focuses on empowering women leaders and entrepreneurs across the region. The fellowship provides access to mentorship, resources, and networks that help women expand their businesses and strengthen their role in the regional economy. Women-led ventures now account for 51 percent of all projects incubated at Sheraa—surpassing global averages and highlighting Sharjah’s progress in promoting women’s participation in entrepreneurship.
Sheraa’s Entrepreneurship Dojo programme serves as an incubator for young entrepreneurs, helping them turn their ideas into viable and scalable ventures. The programme is structured into three key phases: identifying and validating a problem, developing a minimum viable product (MVP), and designing a market launch strategy. Conducted through Sheraa Centres at the American University of Sharjah, it provides students with a mix of academic insight and practical experience.
Over the past three years, more than 200 students from 21 universities across the UAE have taken part in the Entrepreneurship Dojo, making it a significant platform for integrating entrepreneurship education within the student community.
Sheraa also operates the Investment Marina, a strategic platform that connects startups directly with investors. Through one-on-one meetings, entrepreneurs can present their ventures to interested investors, creating opportunities for sustainable financing and regional or international expansion. The platform aims to enhance the UAE’s investment landscape by facilitating capital access for promising ventures.
Through this wide range of programmes and initiatives, Sheraa continues to play a key role in shaping the UAE’s entrepreneurial future. Its work supports the creation of a strong and diverse business environment that nurtures innovation, develops talent, and enables startups to grow into globally competitive enterprises.
By driving investment, job creation, and innovation-led growth, Sheraa remains at the forefront of efforts to establish Sharjah as a regional leader in entrepreneurship, one that actively contributes to the UAE’s broader economic transformation.
