The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) has launched the “Startup Showcase” competition, aimed at supporting innovative ideas and entrepreneurial solutions for emerging businesses.
The competition offers financial prizes of up to AED 200,000 for outstanding projects, as well as funding opportunities of up to AED 500,000 from investors, in addition to travel opportunities provided by “Air Arabia.”
The competition targets ambitious startups from around the world, with applications open until January 26.
Entrepreneurs and business owners can apply across four main sectors: Educational Technology, Sustainability, Creative Industries, and Technology & Industry.
The festival revealed that 16 projects will be selected from the applicants to participate in the final round.
Outstanding entrepreneurs will compete, presenting their winning solutions to a panel of judges and investors during the festival’s events on February 1 and 2.
The competition is organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) in partnership with the “1Tank” initiative from the “1trepreneur” group.
Designed as a high-risk startup showcase, the competition provides startups the opportunity to present their innovative ideas to a group of investors for immediate funding.
Sarah Abdulaziz Al-Hayf Al-Nuaimi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), stated that the competition aligns with the center’s vision to support innovative entrepreneurs who are striving to develop their projects and make a tangible impact across various fields.
She added that Sheraa aims to empower creators and provide the necessary resources to transform their ideas into viable projects.
In turn, Jamie James, Co-Founder of “1trepreneur,” said that the partnership with Sheraa strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
He emphasized that the competition offers a unique opportunity to support innovative startups and open new horizons in the business world.
The competition will award a financial prize of AED 50,000 for each of its four sectors. The “Educational Technology” track, supported by “Al Hilal Projects,” focuses on startups that aim to enhance the education system through innovative solutions.
The “Technology & Industry 4.0” track, supported by “du,” targets advanced concepts that are revolutionizing industries.
The “Sustainability” track, sponsored by “Emaar,” is directed towards companies addressing environmental challenges.
Finally, the “Creative Industries” track, supported by “Emirates,” focuses on projects aiming to revolutionize the creative industries, art, and design through innovation.
The best projects from each category will be selected during the competition’s final round, and the winning startups will present their solutions to a group of influential leaders and investors during an awards ceremony at the festival.
The festival will feature a comprehensive program with over 300 global speakers participating across 10 dedicated zones and 5 platforms.
