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The first day of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 featured comprehensive programming focused on investment landscapes and executive leadership in the Middle East business environment. The event, organized by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), opened with sessions exploring venture capital trends and the evolving role of CEOs in driving sustainable growth. According to festival organizers, the gathering brought together prominent investors and business leaders to discuss opportunities in emerging sectors including artificial intelligence and deep tech.
The festival is taking place on January 31 and February 1, 2025, at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park under the theme “Where We Belong.” Multiple platforms throughout the venue hosted discussions on venture capital funding, executive decision-making, and regional innovation strategies.
Venture Capital Investment Outlook in the Middle East
The Founders Platform hosted a session titled “What Will Next Year Look Like for Capital?” featuring investment leaders from across the region. Participants included Christos Mastoras, Founder and Managing Partner of Iliad Partners, Paula Tavanghar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Managing Partner of Wyld VC, and Tushar Singhvi, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments at Crescent Enterprises. Jamie Lin, Co-Founder of FWDstart, moderated the discussion.
According to the panelists, increasing global investor interest in the region demonstrates the maturity of its capital ecosystem. The speakers noted that focus has shifted from building internal systems to creating investment bridges with global markets, particularly Europe. They emphasized that while the region remains in early stages of building its artificial intelligence ecosystem, it possesses strong fundamentals including low-cost energy, advanced regulatory environments, government support, and educational institutions capable of producing high-level technical talent.
UAE Positioned for Deep Tech Development
The investment experts highlighted that the United Arab Emirates has strong foundations for building sophisticated deep tech and AI companies. According to the speakers, these advantages include rich data resources, investment in infrastructure and computing capabilities, and a geographic location facilitating access to Asian, African, and Global South markets. They identified promising opportunities in new sectors aligned with government budget priorities, including artificial intelligence, medical technology, and biotechnology.
The panelists indicated that the current phase offers company founders a significant opportunity to build scalable business models. Additionally, they stressed that connecting the region with global innovation centers and investing in talent represents the primary driver for transforming the Gulf into an influential force in artificial intelligence.
Executive Leadership in Modern Business Environments
The Impact Platform featured a session exploring CEO responsibilities titled “Inside the CEO Role: What Does Growth Require?” The discussion included Ambarin Musa, CEO of Revolut for the GCC region, Hamad Al Hajri, Founder and CEO of Snoonu, Dr. Tariq bin Hindi, Board Member of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah, and Karim Benkirane, Chief Commercial Officer at du and Board Member of DuPay. Reem Al Houni, CEO of Ti22 Films, moderated the session.
The speakers emphasized that today’s CEO role requires adaptability to change and the ability to leverage vast amounts of data provided by artificial intelligence and technology. According to the panelists, CEOs must transform this information into understandable value or narratives. They noted that the CEO role has shifted from authority and presence to ensuring organizational harmony and making correct decisions even with limited information or under pressure.
Energy Management and Team Support
The executives outlined key CEO responsibilities including constant presence, understanding team challenges, providing counsel, and supporting employees. In this context, they described the CEO role as similar to an energy, interaction, and communication manager, noting that a simple thank-you message can boost employee morale and enhance their sense of pride. The speakers identified two CEO types: one focused on results, operations, and investor satisfaction, and another who originated as an entrepreneur or visionary, maintaining constant positivity.
Both approaches aim to build innovative, sustainable, and flexible companies through steps including defining company vision and attracting top talent to develop individual vision into shared purpose. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival continues through February 1, with additional sessions and workshops scheduled throughout the event.
