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The event was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and took place on the second day of the Sharjah Investment Forum and Global Investment Conference 2025.
Organised by SRTIP in collaboration with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), Invest in Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, and the University of Sharjah, the initiative highlighted Sharjah’s status as a thriving regional hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The event was held at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre as part of the Forum’s activities, celebrating Sharjah’s vibrant innovation ecosystem — a platform where creative minds meet ambitious investors to turn ideas into promising ventures. Inspired by the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Seal the Deal continues to empower a new generation of entrepreneurs, transforming academic innovations into scalable business opportunities.
Building on the success of the first edition, this year’s programme expanded to include start-ups led by students and faculty members, in addition to early-stage companies based in Sharjah. The initiative reflects the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial energy shaping the emirate’s future economic landscape.
Nine start-ups participated in the initiative, each delivering a five-minute pitch followed by a short discussion with the judging panel. These start-ups successfully attracted investment commitments exceeding AED 4 million.
The event brought together prominent investors and business leaders, including Abdullah Abu Sheikh, founder of Abu Sheikh; Mishal Kanoo, Chairman of the Kanoo Group; Mohammed Al Hashimi, CEO of Union Coop; Mohammed Khudairi, CEO of Bank of Sharjah; and Sherif Beshara, CEO of Mohamed & Obaid Al Mulla Group and American Hospital Dubai.
Through these live pitching sessions, start-ups presented their projects directly to investors, received immediate feedback, and generated genuine investment interest — a reflection of the growing culture of collaboration between innovators and investors across the region.
The event concluded with a ceremony recognising the participating investors and start-ups for their continued commitment to supporting Sharjah’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, said: “The Seal the Deal initiative has evolved into a unique platform that brings together academia, investors and the private sector to transform scientific research and innovation into sustainable business ventures. Sharjah’s collaborative model is an inspiring experience that is creating a real impact across sectors and communities.”
Sara Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Sheraa, said: “This initiative reflects Sharjah’s renewed vision for entrepreneurship, where ideas born in classrooms and research labs evolve into scalable, investment-attractive projects. Through our partnership with SRTIP and our ecosystem partners, we are building an integrated pathway that links ambition with opportunity, ensuring every entrepreneur in Sharjah receives the mentorship, support and funding needed to succeed.”
Mohammed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, stated that the Seal the Deal initiative embodies Sharjah’s vision of transforming innovation into productive investment, linking knowledge with capital and translating genuine partnerships between universities, entrepreneurs and investors into a unified, integrated ecosystem.
He added: “This initiative represents an advanced model of integration between the academic and economic sectors, enhancing Sharjah’s position as a regional centre for entrepreneurship and a leading destination for impactful investments. The growing investor interest today reflects strong confidence in Sharjah’s innovation environment and its ability to transform promising ideas into projects that generate lasting economic impact beyond the initiative itself.”
The Seal the Deal programme focuses on start-ups operating in innovation and advanced technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainability. Selected start-ups are given the opportunity to present their projects before a panel of investors who assess their feasibility and market potential. This initiative is part of SRTIP’s broader vision to strengthen entrepreneurship and drive sustainable development.
The Seal the Deal 2025 initiative further strengthens Sharjah’s leadership in supporting innovation and entrepreneurship by providing a unique platform for start-ups and researchers to connect with investors, gain mentorship, and access strategic growth opportunities.
As the event concluded, organisers reaffirmed that innovation does not end with the initiative itself — it continues through every dialogue, mentorship and investment that follows, ensuring Sharjah remains a driving force in shaping the region’s innovation future.
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