Latest news with #NajlaAlMidfa
Sharjah 24
24-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
S3 concludes 2024 cohort with 19 high-potential startups
The event was attended by Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, and Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa. The program focused on Sheraa's four Centers of Excellence; Education Technology, Sustainability, Creative Industries, and Manufacturing, reflecting national priorities and Sharjah's long-term innovation vision. Startups benefited from a comprehensive venture-building journey that offered strategic guidance, expert mentorship, operational support, and direct access to partners and markets. The startups in the 2024 cohort were selected from a competitive pool of more than 2,300 applications representing over 75 countries. Collectively, they have raised approximately $19.3 million in funding and generated combined revenues exceeding $21.9 million. Participants also benefited from the support of more than 30 experts across business management, marketing, and operations, in addition to complimentary workspace and business licenses in Sharjah. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa said: 'S3 Demo Day reflects Sheraa's commitment to building a strong pipeline of ventures that align with national priorities and contribute to long-term economic growth. These startups are innovative, operational, investment-ready businesses with clear market potential. Through this program, we focus on providing founders with strategic guidance, specialized support, and access to key stakeholders they need to navigate complex challenges, strengthen their models, and scale with confidence. Sharjah remains focused on enabling founders to build resilient, high-impact businesses with long-term value.' S3 is structured around three core pillars, namely, Scaling, Securing, and Supporting. The program provides participants with expert mentorship and a customized roadmap, ensuring that they receive the right support to achieve product-market fit. Upon successful application, startup founders gained access to Sheraa's Centers of Excellence (COE) partners, facilitating connections with leading entities and authorities as well as potential customers while absorbing valuable industry insights that can truly make a difference to their chances for success. The six-month journey included customized one-on-one coaching, technical advisory, and hands-on workshops across product development, business modelling, and go-to-market strategy. Startups also participated in curated field visits and market access opportunities with entities including Microsoft, BEEAH Group, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Founders underwent specialized training in conscious leadership and team-building, and received pitch coaching to hone their investor presentations and growth strategies. Sheraa's S3 Demo Day served as a vibrant platform, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners to explore market-ready innovations and connect with founders poised for growth. 19 Startups showcased at the event including Squirrel Education, a gamified platform that teaches financial literacy through interactive simulations; Little Sprouties, which makes healthy, sustainable food for babies and toddlers using innovative processes and local UAE ingredients, promoting wellness and sustainability; City Greens Innovation, a venture advancing vertical farming using AI-driven automation; Damdoum, which enriches cultural knowledge with a gamified app offering localized content in MENA dialects, rewarding users and connecting brands with an engaged audience; and Schoolvoice, a communication platform that strengthens engagement between schools and parents. Sheraa's S3 Demo Day reaffirmed Sharjah's role in driving innovation-forward entrepreneurship and establishing the emirate as a launchpad for impactful, globally scalable ventures.
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sharjah Startup Studio concludes 2024 Cohort with 19 high-potential startups ready to scale globally
Global Cohort Selected from 2,300+ Applications Across over 75 Countries Venture-Building Journey Featured Strategic Partnerships and Industry Immersions Demo Day Connects Founders with Investors and Ecosystem Leaders Sharjah, The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) organized the Demo Day for its flagship Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) on Monday 23rd June at YourSpace in Aljada, celebrating the graduation of the 2024 cohort. The event concluded a six-month intensive program that supported 19 high-potential startups in scaling their operations and preparing for expansion into regional and international markets. The event was attended by Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, and Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa. The program focused on Sheraa's four Centers of Excellence; Education Technology, Sustainability, Creative Industries, and Manufacturing, reflecting national priorities and Sharjah's long-term innovation vision. Startups benefited from a comprehensive venture-building journey that offered strategic guidance, expert mentorship, operational support, and direct access to partners and markets. The startups in the 2024 cohort were selected from a competitive pool of more than 2,300 applications representing over 75 countries. Collectively, they have raised approximately $19.3 million in funding and generated combined revenues exceeding $21.9 million. Participants also benefited from the support of more than 30 experts across business management, marketing, and operations, in addition to complimentary workspace and business licenses in Sharjah. H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa said: 'S3 Demo Day reflects Sheraa's commitment to building a strong pipeline of ventures that align with national priorities and contribute to long-term economic growth. These startups are innovative, operational, investment-ready businesses with clear market potential. Through this program, we focus on providing founders with strategic guidance, specialized support, and access to key stakeholders they need to navigate complex challenges, strengthen their models, and scale with confidence. Sharjah remains focused on enabling founders to build resilient, high-impact businesses with long-term value.' S3 is structured around three core pillars, namely, Scaling, Securing, and Supporting. The program provides participants with expert mentorship and a customized roadmap, ensuring that they receive the right support to achieve product-market fit. Upon successful application, startup founders gained access to Sheraa's Centers of Excellence (COE) partners, facilitating connections with leading entities and authorities as well as potential customers while absorbing valuable industry insights that can truly make a difference to their chances for success. The six-month journey included customized one-on-one coaching, technical advisory, and hands-on workshops across product development, business modelling, and go-to-market strategy. Startups also participated in curated field visits and market access opportunities with entities including Microsoft, BEEAH Group, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). Founders underwent specialized training in conscious leadership and team-building, and received pitch coaching to hone their investor presentations and growth strategies. Sheraa's S3 Demo Day served as a vibrant platform, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and strategic partners to explore market-ready innovations and connect with founders poised for growth. 19 Startups showcased at the event including Squirrel Education, a gamified platform that teaches financial literacy through interactive simulations; Little Sprouties, which makes healthy, sustainable food for babies and toddlers using innovative processes and local UAE ingredients, promoting wellness and sustainability; City Greens Innovation, a venture advancing vertical farming using AI-driven automation; Damdoum, which enriches cultural knowledge with a gamified app offering localized content in MENA dialects, rewarding users and connecting brands with an engaged audience; and Schoolvoice, a communication platform that strengthens engagement between schools and parents. Sheraa's S3 Demo Day reaffirmed Sharjah's role in driving innovation-forward entrepreneurship and establishing the emirate as a launchpad for impactful, globally scalable ventures.
Gulf Today
13-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Sheraa highlights Sharjah's purpose-driven innovation at VivaTech 2025
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) is bringing a curated selection of startups to VivaTech 2025 in Paris, held from 11–14 June, as part of the UAE's official delegation. Spanning sustainability, manufacturing, EdTech, and the creative economy, these ventures exemplify Sheraa's founder-centre model and its mission to cultivate a resilient, globally connected ecosystem anchored in Sharjah. The event brings together 165,000 attendees, including 13,500 startups, 3,500 exhibitors and 3,200 investors. VivaTech 2025 stands as the largest startup and technology event in Europe. The Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025, a comprehensive study of startup ecosystems worldwide published by Startup Genome in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, is unveiled at VivaTech. Despite intensifying regional competition and a rapidly evolving landscape, Sharjah retains its #7 ranking in MENA, underscoring the emirate's resilience and strategic clarity. This performance is driven by Sheraa's founder-first approach to venture building, which continues to deliver practical, lasting outcomes and elevate Sharjah's standing on the global innovation map. Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, said, 'Maintaining Sharjah's position in the GSER rankings reflects the strength of an ecosystem built on clear vision, strategic alignment, and an unwavering drive to empower founders. At Sheraa, we believe in building an ecosystem where every founder feels supported, not just at the start but throughout their entire journey. By aligning government, academia, the private sector, and capital, we create purposeful pathways that fuel progress. True impact comes from steady, thoughtful investment in people and ideas, and from nurturing a culture where innovation can take root and grow.' Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said, 'Sheraa's participation at VivaTech is a strategic step in connecting Sharjah's entrepreneurial ecosystem with global innovation networks. As one of the world's leading tech events, VivaTech provides a unique platform to spotlight the UAE-based startups we support and open new pathways for cross-border collaboration. We are showcasing a model rooted in market insight, founder needs, and long-term value creation. By focusing on high-impact sectors such as EdTech, sustainability, manufacturing, and creative industries, we continue to drive economic diversification and sustainable development. This participation reflects the UAE's national vision to embed entrepreneurship and innovation into every stage of growth, and at Sheraa, we are proud to contribute by enabling founders to scale purposeful ventures that create real-world impact.' Sheraa showcases a curated lineup of its high-impact startups aligned with its four strategic Centres of Excellence: Sustainability, EdTech, Manufacturing, and Creative Industries. Together, these ventures reflect Sheraa's founder-first ethos and global ambition. These startups are engaging with global investors, partners, and innovators, expanding their reach and contributing to the UAE's global entrepreneurship narrative. As part of their agenda at VivaTech 2025, the UAE delegation engages in several enriching activities to foster cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurial growth. WAM
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Sheraa highlights Sharjah's purpose-driven innovation at VivaTech 2025
With a data-backed showcase of high-performing startups, the emirate demonstrated its blueprint for sustainable entrepreneurship. UAE delegation to VivaTech 2025 led by H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy. Startup Genome's Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 reaffirmed Sharjah's position as a resilient and globally competitive startup ecosystem. Sheraa presented its impactful startups driving sustainable innovation and founder empowerment at VivaTech. Najla Al Midfa: Sharjah's strength lies in its unwavering, collaborative approach to building an ecosystem that empowers founders and fuels lasting impact. Sara Al Nuaimi: We've built a resilient, connected ecosystem rooted in a deep understanding of market shifts and the real needs of founders. Paris, Highlighting Sharjah's emergence as a global entrepreneurship hub, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) brings a curated selection of startups to VivaTech 2025 in Paris, held from 11–14 June, as part of the UAE's official delegation led by H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy. Spanning sustainability, manufacturing, EdTech, and the creative economy, these ventures exemplify Sheraa's founder-centre model and its mission to cultivate a resilient, globally connected ecosystem anchored in Sharjah. The event brings together 165,000 attendees, including 13,500 startups, 3,500 exhibitors and 3,200 investors. VivaTech 2025 stands as the largest startup and technology event in Europe. Sharjah's Resilience The Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025, a comprehensive study of startup ecosystems worldwide published by Startup Genome in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, is unveiled at VivaTech. Despite intensifying regional competition and a rapidly evolving landscape, Sharjah retains its #7 ranking in MENA, underscoring the emirate's resilience and strategic clarity. This performance is driven by Sheraa's founder-first approach to venture building, which continues to deliver practical, lasting outcomes and elevate Sharjah's standing on the global innovation map. H.E. Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa said: 'Maintaining Sharjah's position in the GSER rankings reflects the strength of an ecosystem built on clear vision, strategic alignment, and an unwavering drive to empower founders. At Sheraa, we believe in building an ecosystem where every founder feels supported, not just at the start but throughout their entire journey. By aligning government, academia, the private sector, and capital, we create purposeful pathways that fuel progress. True impact comes from steady, thoughtful investment in people and ideas, and from nurturing a culture where innovation can take root and grow.' H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa said: 'Sheraa's participation at VivaTech is a strategic step in connecting Sharjah's entrepreneurial ecosystem with global innovation networks. As one of the world's leading tech events, VivaTech provides a unique platform to spotlight the UAE-based startups we support and open new pathways for cross-border collaboration. We are showcasing a model rooted in market insight, founder needs, and long-term value creation. By focusing on high-impact sectors such as EdTech, sustainability, manufacturing, and creative industries, we continue to drive economic diversification and sustainable development. This participation reflects the UAE's national vision to embed entrepreneurship and innovation into every stage of growth, and at Sheraa, we are proud to contribute by enabling founders to scale purposeful ventures that create real-world impact.' Centers of Excellence Sheraa showcases a curated lineup of its high-impact startups aligned with its four strategic Centers of Excellence: Sustainability, EdTech, Manufacturing, and Creative Industries. Highlights include Creams Botanics ' zero-waste skincare using UAE-grown date seed oil; Squirrel Education 's AI-driven platform for financial literacy; Loyyal's blockchain-based enterprise loyalty system; and AR Engineering's immersive mixed-reality tech. Also featured are Eshara, an AI-powered Arabic sign-language platform supporting the hearing-impaired community; Responsive Drip Irrigation's smart irrigation system optimizing water use at the root level; and Esaal Solutions, delivers smart digital receipts, data analytics, and loyalty integration to boost post-purchase engagement and retail performance. Together, these ventures reflect Sheraa's founder-first ethos and global ambition. These startups are engaging with global investors, partners, and innovators, expanding their reach and contributing to the UAE's global entrepreneurship narrative. Sustainable Farming Partnership Responsive Drip Irrigation (RDI), a Sheraa's incubator startup and HYVEGEO, a climate tech startup, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework focused on advancing agricultural innovation and sustainability. The partnership aims to develop joint solutions in climate-smart irrigation, field testing, improved water-use efficiency, soil health enhancement, and carbon sequestration, driving forward sustainable farming practices that address pressing environmental challenges. As part of their agenda at VivaTech 2025, the UAE delegation engages in several enriching activities to foster cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurial growth.
Sharjah 24
13-06-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sheraa highlights Sharjah's purpose-driven innovation at VivaTech
The event brings together 165,000 attendees, including 13,500 startups, 3,500 exhibitors and 3,200 investors. VivaTech 2025 stands as the largest startup and technology event in Europe. Sharjah's Resilience The Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025, a comprehensive study of startup ecosystems worldwide published by Startup Genome in collaboration with the Global Entrepreneurship Network, is unveiled at VivaTech. Despite intensifying regional competition and a rapidly evolving landscape, Sharjah retains its #7 ranking in MENA, underscoring the emirate's resilience and strategic clarity. This performance is driven by Sheraa's founder-first approach to venture building, which continues to deliver practical, lasting outcomes and elevate Sharjah's standing on the global innovation map. Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa said: 'Maintaining Sharjah's position in the GSER rankings reflects the strength of an ecosystem built on clear vision, strategic alignment, and an unwavering drive to empower founders. At Sheraa, we believe in building an ecosystem where every founder feels supported, not just at the start but throughout their entire journey. By aligning government, academia, the private sector, and capital, we create purposeful pathways that fuel progress. True impact comes from steady, thoughtful investment in people and ideas, and from nurturing a culture where innovation can take root and grow.' Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa said: 'Sheraa's participation at VivaTech is a strategic step in connecting Sharjah's entrepreneurial ecosystem with global innovation networks. As one of the world's leading tech events, VivaTech provides a unique platform to spotlight the UAE-based startups we support and open new pathways for cross-border collaboration. We are showcasing a model rooted in market insight, founder needs, and long-term value creation. By focusing on high-impact sectors such as EdTech, sustainability, manufacturing, and creative industries, we continue to drive economic diversification and sustainable development. This participation reflects the UAE's national vision to embed entrepreneurship and innovation into every stage of growth, and at Sheraa, we are proud to contribute by enabling founders to scale purposeful ventures that create real-world impact.' Centers of Excellence Sheraa showcases a curated lineup of its high-impact startups aligned with its four strategic Centers of Excellence: Sustainability, EdTech, Manufacturing, and Creative Industries. Highlights include Creams Botanics' zero-waste skincare using UAE-grown date seed oil; Squirrel Education's AI-driven platform for financial literacy; Loyyal's blockchain-based enterprise loyalty system; and AR Engineering's immersive mixed-reality tech. Also featured are Eshara, an AI-powered Arabic sign-language platform supporting the hearing-impaired community; Responsive Drip Irrigation's smart irrigation system optimizing water use at the root level; and Esaal Solutions, delivers smart digital receipts, data analytics, and loyalty integration to boost post-purchase engagement and retail performance. Together, these ventures reflect Sheraa's founder-first ethos and global ambition. These startups are engaging with global investors, partners, and innovators, expanding their reach and contributing to the UAE's global entrepreneurship narrative. Sustainable Farming Partnership Responsive Drip Irrigation (RDI), a Sheraa's incubator startup and HYVEGEO, a climate tech startup, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework focused on advancing agricultural innovation and sustainability. The partnership aims to develop joint solutions in climate-smart irrigation, field testing, improved water-use efficiency, soil health enhancement, and carbon sequestration, driving forward sustainable farming practices that address pressing environmental challenges. As part of their agenda at VivaTech 2025, the UAE delegation engages in several enriching activities to foster cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurial growth.
