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The ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival concluded with record-breaking attendance, drawing more than 15,000 participants to the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. Organized by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the event attracted 5,000 startup founders who gained insights from over 300 global speakers, reinforcing the festival’s position as the largest entrepreneurship event in the region.
The festival served as a platform for economic growth and investment, with the VIP-designated Vault Zone witnessing the signing of 17 strategic memorandums of understanding. According to the organizers, these agreements covered vital sectors including manufacturing, education technology, creative industries, and sustainability, resulting in 100 million dirhams in available funding to support startup growth and scalability.
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival Drives Regional Innovation
Sarah Al Naimi, Executive Director of Sheraa, emphasized that the achievements of this year’s edition reflect the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center. The success demonstrates ongoing commitment to establishing Sharjah as a global destination for innovation and creative enterprises, according to the official statement.
Al Naimi noted that the 2026 edition propels anticipation for next year’s tenth anniversary, which is expected to represent a new milestone with deeper dimensions and broader ambitions. She added that the festival continues to affirm its role as an active catalyst bringing together ideas, talents, and opportunities in a unified space, contributing to accelerated startup growth and enhancing Sharjah’s presence in the region’s future entrepreneurial landscape.
Comprehensive Programming and Investor Engagement
Over two days, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival featured more than 250 activities ranging from inspirational dialogue sessions to specialized workshops and exclusive meetings across 10 dedicated zones. The Investors Lounge hosted 400 exclusive meetings connecting project owners with investors to open funding and mentorship opportunities.
Additionally, Startup City, supported by du Business, showcased more than 150 startups presenting innovative solutions to audiences and experts. The event created multiple touchpoints for entrepreneurs to connect with potential backers and industry specialists throughout the festival grounds.
Business Launch Package Attracts Hundreds of New Companies
The Business Launch Package attracted 294 startups that began their entrepreneurial journey during the two-day event. The initiative offered business licensing starting from 1,000 dirhams through collaboration between Sheraa, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, Emirates NBD, and du, according to festival organizers.
Through Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, the package provided qualified festival participants with sole proprietorship business licenses valued at 1,000 dirhams for the first year, covering up to three commercial activities. Meanwhile, joint proprietorship business licenses were available for 3,000 dirhams for the first year, including up to five commercial activities, with visa fees applied according to existing regulations.
Strategic Support for Startup Founders
The Business Launch Package was designed to support company founders in getting their ventures operational. Du Business offered telecommunications services facilitation, while Emirates NBD provided banking support including account management fee waivers for one year and salary transfer fee exemptions for six months. The bank also included unlimited banking transfers as part of the support package.
Furthermore, Sheraa enabled company founders to utilize its coworking spaces free of charge for one year and connected licensed startups to Sharjah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. These integrated services aimed to reduce initial barriers and operational costs for new entrepreneurs entering the market.
The festival organizers have indicated that preparations for the tenth edition will begin shortly, though specific dates and expanded programming details have not yet been confirmed. The anniversary edition is expected to build on this year’s momentum with additional strategic partnerships and enhanced support mechanisms for the regional startup community.
