Sheraa's inaugural Deal Dock draws $670M+ investor interest
This edition of Sheraa Deal Dock welcomed the participation of six investors: Global Ventures, Continuous Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Wamda Capital, Beco Capital, and Shorooq Partners. Collectively, these firms represent a capital pool exceeding $671 million, underscoring the strength and growing reputation of Sharjah's entrepreneurial ecosystem, as well as Sheraa's ability to convene mission-aligned capital partners. Each investor brought distinct sector expertise and investment philosophies, contributing to the event's goal of facilitating high-value, founder-investor connections that go beyond the pitch.
Facilitating meaningful connections between startups and investors
The event aligns with Sheraa's wider mission to accelerate access to capital and support the growth of impactful ventures. Each of the participating startups took part in one-on-one meetings with aligned investors. These meetings were matched to ensure mutual interest and sector alignment, maximising the chances of meaningful outcomes.
Founders gain insights in 'Inside the Investor's Mind' fireside chat
The event featured a fireside chat titled
Inside the Investor's Mind
, offering founders rare insight into investor expectations and decision-making dynamics. The chat featured Sonia Weymuller, Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq and a Sheraa Advisory Board Member, in conversation with moderator Nader Amiri, General Partner at Homegrown Ventures and a Sheraa alum. As a leading voice in the investment space, Weymuller shared valuable perspectives drawn from her experience supporting startups across the region and beyond.
Strategic partnership with continuous venture capital to boost early-stage funding
During the event, Sheraa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Continuous Venture Capital, marking a strategic collaboration aimed at expanding funding opportunities for Sheraa portfolio startups, specifically targeting those in the pre-seed and seed stages.
MoU reinforces Sheraa's commitment to startup growth
The MoU was signed by HE Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and Colin Meagle, Founding Partner of Continuous Venture Capital. This partnership reinforces Sheraa's commitment to accelerating startup growth by facilitating access to early-stage capital, strengthening investment readiness, and connecting founders with regional and international investors. Through this collaboration, startups will benefit from strategic support, market exposure, and tailored engagement with Continuous VC's investment network.
Empowering purpose-driven entrepreneurs through strategic collaboration
Her Excellency Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said: 'Sheraa Deal Dock reflects our continued commitment to building platforms that unlock meaningful opportunities for both entrepreneurs and investors...'
She added: 'We recognise that early-stage founders need more than just capital; they need partners who understand the challenges of building a business and are committed to their long-term success..."
Continuous VC affirms commitment to regional innovation
Highlighting the strategic value of the collaboration, Colin Meagle, Founding Partner, Continuous Venture Capital said:
"We believe that transformative ventures often begin with a single opportunity; one that's backed by belief, guidance, and access to the right resources..."
Sheraa's track record and future vision for Sharjah's startup ecosystem
Sheraa Deal Dock exemplifies Sheraa's role in positioning Sharjah as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. Since 2016, Sheraa has supported over 450 startups and helped raise nearly $300 million in funding. Events like Deal Dock represent the next chapter in this journey, where curated access, quality engagement, and measurable outcomes define success.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
30-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Sharjah offers Dh500,000 award to two tech startups to help innovate schools
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) is calling on innovators from around the world to help shape the future of learning through its 7th edition Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC). The competition will award two winning startups an equity-free grant of Dh250,000 each with the invaluable opportunity to pilot their solutions in four leading educational institutions in Sharjah. With the UAE's EdTech sector projected to grow at six per cent annually through 2030, fuelled by the nation's drive to build a knowledge-focused society and to advance skills in the age of AI and technological progress, strategic and purpose-driven support for innovators within this important industry is essential for the future. Two key challenges identified The first, the 'Future-Ready Skills Challenge', seeks innovative solutions to equip students with essential digital literacy, computational thinking, critical analysis, and foundational soft skills. This addresses the pressing need highlighted by the World Economic Forum, which predicts that 85 per cent of the jobs in 2030 haven't been invented yet, demanding adaptability far beyond rote learning. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The second, the 'Arabic in Early Childhood Challenge', focuses on instilling a deep, meaningful connection with the Arabic language during the critical nursery and early primary years. It calls for engaging, age-appropriate solutions that foster fluency, cultural appreciation, and a genuine love for the language. The challenge offers a compelling proposition for serious education innovators with a total equity-free grant pool of Dh500,000. Two winning startups will each receive Dh250,000, coupled with the invaluable opportunity to pilot their proven solutions across four leading institutions — Alsedra Private School, Khalifah Al Hamzah American School, Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School, and Al Badee Nursery. At its core, ASC 2025 is a powerful engine for multi-directional knowledge exchange and skill development, and as global entrepreneurs prepare to present their cutting-edge technology and fresh perspectives to be implemented within Sharjah's diverse educational landscape, Sheraa will be there to guide them on every step of the journey. Strategic investment in education technology ASC 2025 represents a strategic investment in knowledge exchange, skill development, and the co-creation of future-ready learning environments, and invites both local and global innovators to partner with Sharjah's educational ecosystem and propel this legacy further. Sheraa, established to empower entrepreneurs and position Sharjah as a hub for meaningful innovation, has strategically designated Education Technology (EdTech) as one of its core Centres of Excellence. This focus directly addresses the emirate's commitment to enhancing learning outcomes, equipping students for an uncertain future shaped by rapid technological change, and nurturing cultural identity and pride. Building on Sharjah's strong educational foundation which encompasses some of the leading universities and institutions in the region, and also evidenced by its private schools achieving an average score of 519 in the 2021 'Progress in International Reading Literacy Study' (PIRLS), exceeding international benchmarks, ASC 2025 zeroes in on two critical and co-defined priorities in collaboration with the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and Sharjah Education Academy (SEA).
Sharjah 24
23-07-2025
- Sharjah 24
Sheraa launches new edition of S3
Designed to empower founders to scale their businesses, the programme offers an array of benefits and services, including access industry expert advisory, funding opportunities, essential resources, specialised mentorship, and software tools valued at over AED 3 million. Applications are open until September 7, 2025 Applications are open until September 7, 2025, with 20 selected startups embarking on an intensive four-month journey. Participants will gain practical experience, tailored guidance, and access to Sheraa's extensive network of investors and strategic partners. S3 provides a holistic environment that equips startups to shape their growth strategies, create customised playbooks, and accelerate their path to scale. The programme welcomes applications from UAE-based startups operating across Sheraa's four priority sectors: EdTech, Sustainability, Advanced Manufacturing, and Creative Industries. Startups looking to join can apply through: Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said: 'Sharjah Startup Studio S3 is a continuation of our commitment to backing entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools, resources, and confidence to scale their businesses. Through this programme, we support startups in advancing their current business models and expanding their operations to become key contributors to local, regional, and global economies. By empowering founders, we're reinforcing Sharjah's and the UAE's position as leading hubs for entrepreneurship and innovation on the global stage.' Structured around three core pillars: Scaling, Supporting, and Securing The programme is structured around three core pillars: Scaling, Supporting, and Securing. Under the Scaling pillar, startups gain access to Sheraa's 'Centres of Excellence' network and warm partner introductions, established to drive innovation-led economic growth in the region. This access helps founders strengthen internal operations, scale their teams, and manage growth with efficiency and confidence. The Supporting pillar focuses on honing founders' skills in investor relations, pitch preparation, and securing strategic investments that enable long-term growth. Meanwhile, the Securing pillar offers a practical roadmap for building strong business networks, complemented by workspace solutions and credits for essential services to help startups thrive. S3 also connects founders with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders in an environment designed for collaboration and knowledge exchange. This exposure helps startups align their products with market needs and accelerates their journey toward sustainable growth. Recognising that access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges for early-stage companies, S3 prioritises facilitating connections with investors and providing strategic guidance to help startups secure funding and expand into new markets. Previous cohorts have already demonstrated significant impact, with alumni successfully scaling their operations and entering new markets through the comprehensive support ecosystem. Received over 2,300 applications for its 2024 cohort Sharjah Startup Studio received over 2,300 applications for its 2024 cohort. This strong demand underscores the studio's rising stature as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship, and its ability to attract high-quality ventures that are shaping Sharjah's and the UAE's knowledge economy.
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Zawya
Sheraa launches the new edition of S3: A launchpad for startups scaling from Sharjah
RELATED TOPICS UAE RELATED COMPANIES Alsheraa Air Con Deadline for applications is September 7, 2025 A four-month journey of working side by side with founders to shape their growth strategies, create customized playbooks, and accelerate their path to scale. S3 Enables Access to Funding and Helping Startups Expand into New Markets Sharjah, The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is inviting early-stage UAE-based startups to apply for the latest edition of its flagship Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) program. Designed to empower founders to scale their businesses, the program offers an array of benefits and services, including access industry expert advisory, funding opportunities, essential resources, specialized mentorship, and software tools valued at over AED 3 million Applications are open until September 7, 2025, with 20 selected startups embarking on an intensive four-month journey. Participants will gain practical experience, tailored guidance, and access to Sheraa's extensive network of investors and strategic partners. S3 provides a holistic environment that equips startups to shape their growth strategies, create customized playbooks, and accelerate their path to scale. The program welcomes applications from UAE-based startups operating across Sheraa's four priority sectors: EdTech, Sustainability, Advanced Manufacturing, and Creative Industries. Startups looking to join can apply through: HE Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said: 'Sharjah Startup Studio S3 is a continuation of our commitment to backing entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools, resources, and confidence to scale their businesses. Through this program, we support startups in advancing their current business models and expanding their operations to become key contributors to local, regional, and global economies. By empowering founders, we're reinforcing Sharjah's and the UAE's position as leading hubs for entrepreneurship and innovation on the global stage.' The program is structured around three core pillars: Scaling, Supporting, and Securing. Under the Scaling pillar, startups gain access to Sheraa's 'Centers of Excellence' network and warm partner introductions, established to drive innovation-led economic growth in the region. This access helps founders strengthen internal operations, scale their teams, and manage growth with efficiency and confidence. The Supporting pillar focuses on honing founders' skills in investor relations, pitch preparation, and securing strategic investments that enable long-term growth. Meanwhile, the Securing pillar offers a practical roadmap for building strong business networks, complemented by workspace solutions and credits for essential services to help startups thrive. S3 also connects founders with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders in an environment designed for collaboration and knowledge exchange. This exposure helps startups align their products with market needs and accelerates their journey toward sustainable growth. Recognizing that access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges for early-stage companies, S3 prioritizes facilitating connections with investors and providing strategic guidance to help startups secure funding and expand into new markets. Previous cohorts have already demonstrated significant impact, with alumni successfully scaling their operations and entering new markets through the comprehensive support ecosystem. Sharjah Startup Studio received over 2,300 applications for its 2024 cohort. This strong demand underscores the studio's rising stature as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship, and its ability to attract high-quality ventures that are shaping Sharjah's and the UAE's knowledge economy.
