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The launch was attended by Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa; Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa; and leading entrepreneurs and partners, including Dr Asma Mahmoud Fikri, Founder and CEO of Fikri Business Consultants. Guests enjoyed a cultural evening that celebrated Emirati hospitality, followed by high tea and networking, setting a collaborative and inspiring tone for the fellowship’s debut.
The Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship embodies Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s vision to strengthen the role of women as leaders in development and champions of sustainable impact. The fellowship provides a mix of mentorship sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities with investors and ecosystem partners, aimed at boosting women’s presence and leadership within the entrepreneurial landscape.
Opening the programme, Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi highlighted Sharjah’s enduring commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs to build ventures that balance purpose with profit, while Dr Asma Mahmoud Fikri delivered a keynote address emphasising the fellowship’s mission to advance impact-driven leadership and support women founders in scaling their businesses.
The inaugural SWIF cohort includes: Asma AlQaseer, Founder of FirmFox; Dania Shahin, Founder and CEO of Salsa Cooks; Dr Noora Alshamsi, Founder and CEO of Noora Shamsi Jewellery; Mahra Al Hosani, Founder and CEO of Pharmedic; Ruba Al Nashash, COO and Co-Founder of Pulse IoT Technologies; and Malin Delin, Co-Founder of Hylo.
They are joined by Noora Al Suwaidi, Co-Founder of Teel Floral Studio and Lamak Studios; Maya Sherif Ibrahim, Founder of More.Then, Rana Askoul, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Khateera; Qadreya Al Awadhi, Founder and CEO of Bumblebee Food; Maitha Al Ansari, Founder of Locallure; and Dr Fida Deyab, Founder and Chairperson of Tapy.
Speaking at the event, Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, said: “The Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship turns shared purpose into shared power, proving that when women rise together, entire economies rise with them. It brings together founders whose vision and resilience are shaping Sharjah’s next chapter of entrepreneurship — one built on innovation and impact.”
Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated: “Sheraa’s mission has always been centred on people, their potential, their ideas, and their capacity to create meaningful change. The fellowship empowers founders to develop their ventures, access new markets, and establish lasting partnerships through mentorship and collaboration.”
The evening featured a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Blueprints of Legacy Building”, moderated by international presenter Sally Mousa, with panellists Mouza Al Abbar, Co-Founder of Alabbar Enterprises, and Faiza Bouguessa, Founder of Bouguessa. The dialogue explored how women entrepreneurs create lasting legacies by leading with purpose, creativity, and authenticity.
The launch concluded with a group photo and closing remarks, celebrating the beginning of a transformative fellowship journey rooted in collaboration, empowerment, and shared purpose.
At the core of SWIF is a AED 500,000, equity-free grant generously provided by Dr Asma Fikri and Her Excellency Amna Fikri, daughters of the late Dr Mahmoud Mohamed Fikri, a former WHO Regional Director and respected UAE public servant. The grant honours his lasting legacy of empowerment and fostering women’s leadership, ensuring his values continue to inspire future generations of changemakers.
The fellowship embodies Sheraa’s mission to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial community led by women who drive innovation and social progress. Since its inception, Sheraa has supported over 450 startups, generating more than USD 370 million in revenue and attracting USD 300 million in investment, with 51% of ventures founded or co-founded by women.
This milestone reaffirms Sharjah’s global reputation as a centre for purpose-driven entrepreneurship, where innovation and inclusion collaboratively shape a sustainable future.
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