The meeting was attended by Her Excellency Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, Vice-Chairperson of Sheraa, and by Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Sheraa.

Looking ahead to 2027

The Advisory Board reviewed preparations for the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2027 and Sheraa’s initiatives to support the establishment, growth and expansion of businesses in Sharjah.

Board members also discussed efforts to attract high-potential start-ups to the emirate and to strengthen support for entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said entrepreneurship is central to Sharjah’s efforts to diversify its economy, unlock new growth opportunities, and enable ambitious entrepreneurs to build businesses that create lasting value.

She added that Sheraa’s 2030 strategy aims to create an environment where entrepreneurs can launch with confidence, build resilient companies and grow sustainably from Sharjah, with the ambition of seeing more businesses from the emirate compete internationally and create lasting economic and social value locally.

AED 5.1 million raised for business continuity

Following the meeting, Sheraa hosted an event for the Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund, which was launched under Sheikha Bodour’s directives.

The fund raised AED 5.1 million from more than 20 partners, supporting 74 startups and SMEs under financial and operational pressure.

Sheraa also connected supported businesses with expertise, resources and commercial opportunities to help them address immediate needs, stabilise operations and access new customers and growth opportunities.

Najla Al Midfa said the fund demonstrated what government, the private sector, investors and service providers can achieve through collaboration, helping to preserve expertise, jobs and opportunities created by supported businesses.

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi said the fund showed that entrepreneurs’ priorities can shift rapidly during periods of uncertainty, requiring support that goes beyond funding to include expertise, technology, professional services, customers, markets and commercial opportunities.

Support reaches businesses across the UAE

The fund received 352 applications from businesses across all seven emirates, spanning more than 20 market sectors. Beneficiary businesses began receiving support within 45 days of the fund’s launch.

Among the wider applicant pool, 44% had less than two months of financial reserves, and 16% had less than one month. With support from the fund, all six businesses identified as at risk of closure remained operational.

The support also helped businesses strengthen their operations and pursue new growth opportunities. AJADA reengineered and relaunched its product; Chocoleaf relocated while maintaining uninterrupted production; Eshara AI rebuilt its core cloud infrastructure; and The Waste Lab retained five employees.

From resilience to reinvention

The event featured a presentation on the Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund and a panel discussion titled “From Resilience to Reinvention”, during which supported entrepreneurs shared their experiences of navigating challenges and rebuilding their businesses.

The panel featured Lara Hussein of The Waste Lab, Nuhayr Zein of Leukeather and Aley Eshra of Eshara AI, with Budoor AlAmoodi of Datafirst and Jamie Lane of FWDstart serving as the moderator.

Sheraa also recognised the fund’s partners for their financial support, operational expertise, advisory services, commercial introductions and in-kind assistance.

Under the Sheraa 2030 strategy, the centre continues to provide support to businesses at different stages of growth, helping entrepreneurs establish and expand their businesses in Sharjah and contribute to the emirate’s economy.