Sheraa and NAC launch programme to support agritech startups

October 16, 2025 / 9:25 PM

Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), in collaboration with the National Agricultural Centre (NAC), announced the launch of the Agri-Boost programme in line with the national campaign "The UAE: The Startup Capital of the World," launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen the country's position as a global entrepreneurship hub. The project aims to empower startups across the UAE by implementing cutting-edge climate-smart farming technologies and practices.

Agri-Boost, which runs for six weeks, aims to help early-stage agritech firms find innovative solutions to the UAE's most pressing agricultural concerns. The initiative aims to empower businesses in the pre-seed and seed stages by providing them with the resources they need to increase competitiveness, expand their client base, and develop creative, lucrative business models that meet the demands of the local agricultural sector.

Applications will be open from mid-January through the end of February 2026, allowing entrepreneurs to register and participate in the program's stages. Following evaluation and selection, an intense training phase will begin in March, with interactive workshops focusing on agile methodology, followed by an incubation period lasting until April. This stage will involve specific mentorship sessions as well as possibilities to form strategic connections with the agricultural industry, which will help entrepreneurs scale and develop market-driven solutions.

As part of its commitment to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in modern agriculture, the programme will provide participants with an exceptional opportunity to showcase their projects and outcomes at the upcoming Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, allowing them to connect with investors, experts, and decision-makers from across the country.

Innovative solutions

Her Excellency Sara Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), stated that "the agricultural sector is one of the pillars of economic and social stability, and it has gained even more importance given the need for innovative solutions to address food security challenges." From this perspective, Agri-boost acts as a strategic platform that allows agritech firms to turn their ideas into effective business models that can make a real difference."

She continued, "The introduction of this project underscores our commitment to supporting entrepreneurship in critical industries. This collaboration with the National Agricultural Centre (NAC) embodies our shared vision of empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to increase their competitiveness and growth potential, reinforcing the UAE's position as a regional leader in sustainable agricultural innovation

A key pillar

Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agricultural Centre (NAC), stated, "Agricultural technology innovation is a critical pillar in improving our food security and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. We hope to enhance domestic food production and establish a more resilient, efficient sector capable of overcoming obstacles and creating new economic opportunities by enabling the agricultural sector to embrace the most cutting-edge climate-smart farming technologies. Agri-boost represents this ambition by offering a realistic platform for the development and application of innovative technologies in real-world settings, resulting in a qualitative transformation of the UAE's agricultural future."