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The ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 has concluded with the signing of 17 memoranda of understanding and the opening of funding opportunities worth 100 million dirhams. The agreements, signed at the festival’s dedicated “Volt Zone,” aim to accelerate the growth of startups and enhance innovation across finance, fintech, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting sustainable expansion and market readiness.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Sara Abdul Aziz Balheif Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), and was sponsored by Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (EMARAT). The partnerships brought together government entities, financial institutions, major corporations, and entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders to develop growth tools and expand funding opportunities for emerging companies.
Strategic Partnerships Drive Sharjah Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
According to Al Nuaimi, the partnerships signed in the Volt Zone embody the vision for developing an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah where capital meets policy and talent. The initiative supports projects capable of achieving sustainable economic and social impact while facilitating access to essential resources for startups at various stages of development.
Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Chief Executive Officer of Retail Sales and Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMARAT, emphasized the company’s commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises. The sponsorship of the Volt Zone creates effective platforms that support entrepreneurs throughout their business journey, from early-stage funding to market expansion.
Financial Services and Fintech Collaborations
Several key agreements focused on improving access to financing and banking infrastructure for startups and SMEs. Sheraa signed a memorandum of understanding with Zello, a leading private credit platform in the UAE owned by Global Holding Company, represented by CEO and Co-founder Dhanush Arjun.
Additionally, a partnership with Emirates NBD Bank, attended by Hamad Mohamed Zayed, Head of Corporate Banking Group, will provide comprehensive banking solutions to support business continuity. The collaboration includes facilitating access to bank accounts, improving transaction efficiency, and delivering financial services tailored specifically to startup needs.
In the fintech sector, Sheraa partnered with Al Fardan Exchange, represented by Hassan Jaber, CEO of Alpha Now. This partnership enables startups to access fintech solutions and digital payment systems while supporting their expansion into regional and international markets.
Technology and Innovation Focus Areas
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival also saw significant partnerships in emerging technology sectors. Sheraa signed an agreement with e& (formerly Etisalat), attended by Saeed Al Zarouni, Chief Procurement Officer of the group, to support startups and SMEs through procurement access and new investment channels.
Meanwhile, strategic collaborations in artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing aim to equip entrepreneurs with necessary skills and infrastructure. Sheraa partnered with Arabic.AI, an Arabic-language AI training academy represented by CEO Noor Al Hassan, to enhance AI capabilities among Arabic-speaking entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, a partnership with Maxbyte, represented by Technical Director Viswanathan T, focuses on promoting innovation in advanced manufacturing through practical applications and youth capacity building. Additional technology partnerships included agreements with InchBee, represented by Peter Hovhannisyan, General Manager for Middle East and East Africa.
Cross-Border Expansion and Market Access
The Volt Zone emphasized enabling cross-border expansion through strategic distribution agreements. An exclusive distribution agreement between PeakBot and Edge Robots will support PeakBot’s expansion into the Egyptian and Saudi markets, leveraging Edge Robots’ established regional presence and market access capabilities.
In contrast to early-stage partnerships, this agreement was signed by Salman Mughaimi, founder of PeakBot, and Khaled Al Abbar, co-founder of Edge Robots. The collaboration transforms strategic partnerships into tangible regional growth opportunities for participating startups.
The Sharjah Foundation for Supporting Entrepreneurial Projects (Ruwad) also announced sector-specific partnerships with Pop Up, Re-Life (part of Bee’ah Group), Tata Consultancy Services, Tabby, and Hathera. These agreements aim to enhance integration between startups and major corporations across multiple sectors, stimulating innovation and growth at regional and international levels.
The festival’s success in securing substantial funding commitments and strategic partnerships positions participating startups for accelerated growth in the coming months. However, the implementation timelines and specific funding allocation details for individual companies have not been officially confirmed by organizers.
