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Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation; HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Saud AlSaud, Secretary General and member of the Board of Trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies; and Her Excellency Alia Bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship were amongst the influential figures who attended the opening ceremony of the 2-day festival, which is taking place at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP).
Marking a major milestone in accessibility technology, “Eshara”, the world’s first of its kind AI-generated Arabic sign language translation system created by Sheraa Startup Dojo+ program winners, was unveiled and used throughout the opening ceremony.
Part of the opening proceedings was a discussion titled “Tackling Social Challenges and Bridging Cultures through Art & Philanthropy”, led by Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi and HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Saud AlSaud.
“At the intersection of art and philanthropy lies humanity — it is the root of everything we do”, Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi stated, adding the importance of connecting with “workers, service providers, and everyday individuals” who form society’s foundation. The visionary who has helmed the Sharjah Biennial for 22 years said humanity was at the core of the event’s global success. “We have earned the trust of artists because we work together as equals, with mutual respect.”
She also mentioned the announcement of the Sharjah Creative Quarter following an Emiree decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which has been founded on humanistic values and designed “for future generations to thrive”.
HRH Princess Lamia Al Saud shared her insights on leveraging the universal language and appeal of art as a “diplomatic tool to bridge cultural divides and foster spaces for dialogue and connection”. She also highlighted her entity’s efforts to empower communities in 190 countries around the world through education and by creating entrepreneurial opportunities. “We have provided 60 physically challenged ‘captains’ specially equipped Careem taxis, and uplifted textile artisans in Afghanistan who will have their line featured in Harrods soon.”
Minister of State for Entrepreneurship shares plans for next generation of founders
Outlining the Ministry’s efforts to support SMEs and the UAE’s plans for the next generation, Alia Bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, delivered a keynote during the ceremony, stating: “To support youth and emerging talent, we recently joined 16 government entities to introduce RIYADA - our ecosystem brand designed to increase the success rate of young entrepreneurs from 30% to 50% by 2031. The fund has allocated AED 300 million in incentives to encourage graduates to pursue entrepreneurship. We also launched the 2nd edition of ‘The Future 100’ program last year to identify and accelerate all SMEs, alongside ‘The Future 50’ program to provide targeted support to Emirati-owned SMEs.”
AlMazrouei also highlighted that targeted federal policies have prioritised economic diversification. “We have proven our economy is resilient and focused on SMEs, which currently represent 95% of all companies in the UAE, employ nearly 86% of the private sector workforce, and contribute as much as 63.5% to the non-oil GDP.”
Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice-Chairperson of Sheraa said: “Nine years ago, we could not have foreseen the extraordinary milestones the Sheraa team would achieve: incubating over 200 startups that have collectively raised more than a billion dirhams in capital. Helping Sharjah’s startup ecosystem climb the ranks to become the 4th best in the GCC. Building this annual festival, a global gathering of changemakers that has attracted over 40,000 attendees from around the world since inception. But, having worked with so many entrepreneurs, I have also learnt that success comes in different forms. It goes beyond numbers, manifesting in unexpected and incredibly profound ways.”
Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, welcomed participants and underscored SEF’s dedication to equipping entrepreneurs to thrive in an evolving global economy. “Sharjah has long been recognised as the education and culture capital of the region. Today, it has also earned a well-deserved reputation on the global stage as a place where changemakers belong. Over the next two days, my hope is that each of us will walk away with a renewed spirit to enrich the collective human experience and a deeper understanding. This festival is not like any other, and is a celebration of the energy of each and every one of us.”
Sheraa also honored its strategic partners at an awards ceremony presided by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, to recognise the pivotal role they played in shaping SEF 2025’s success. Awards were presented to Arada, Emaar, Du, Emarat, Sharjah Business Women’s Council (SBWC), Bank of Sharjah, Invest Bank, and Shurooq, as Zone Partners; SRTIP, as the Venue Partner; and Sharjah Municipality as the Enable Partner.
The Sheraa Chairperson inaugurated the ‘SEF Vault’ VIP lounge, which is a brand new SEF feature to provide global leaders, VIP guests, and speakers with an enriching environment to network and relax. Designed by Emirati designer Jawaher Al Khayal, the space draws similarities between pearl diving and a founder’s journey.
Two MOUs signed to take cross-disciplinary collaborations to the next level
After the ceremony, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi witnessed two significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signings at the festival grounds. The first, signed between Microsoft, Sheraa, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and American University of Sharjah (AUS), is expected to create new opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and students, bridging academia with industry expertise. Key signatories included Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft; Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa; Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); and Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of American University of Sharjah.
The second MoU marks a major partnership between SRTIP and Enterprise Ireland, with a focus on strengthening research and business collaboration between the UAE and Ireland. Further cemented by the presence of Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, the MOU was signed by Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTIP; and Marina Donohoe, Head of Research and Innovation at Enterprise Ireland.
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