UAE
Sharjah
"Spearheading Sharjah's entrepreneurial movement, Sheraa is amplifying support for startups with the Centers of Excellence and shaping the future across Advanced Manufacturing, Edtech, Cleantech, and Creative Industries. Combined with an exceptional talent pool and academic network, this focus reinforces Sharjah’s status as a leading destination for innovators"
Highlights
Sharjah is a pioneering emirate with global stature, supporting continuous growth and significant contributions to the advancement of industry and sustainability in the UAE. It was recognized as the Cultural Capital of the Arab Region by UNESCO, affirming its balance between economic development and authentic culture. The emirate is a key gateway to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s robust $3.4 trillion economy.
Sharjah hosts over 60,000 SMEs and startups across six free zones and 33 industrial areas. Its free zones are increasingly popular due to strategic advantages like tax exemptions, 100% foreign ownership, affordable rental rates, skilled labor, and proximity to Dubai's business centers.
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is an incubator for UAE's aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Launched in 2016, Sheraa has empowered over 18,000 youth through upskilling and entrepreneurship programs, and incubated over 180 ventures generating $248+ million in revenue, raised $171+ million in investments, and created 1,900+ jobs. As the emirate’s entrepreneurship ecosystem builder, Sheraa announced an industry focus with Centers of Excellence for EdTech, Manufacturing & CPG, Creative Industries, and Sustainability (Cleantech). Sheraa's 7th annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) in February 2024 featured 200+ speakers and 10,000 attendees. SEF includes the SEFFY Awards and the Pitch Competition, offering prizes up to $13,600 to foster startup growth.
Sheraa is headquartered at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), a free zone offering advanced laboratories and licensing support for entrepreneurs to bolster the UAE's leadership in science and technology. Sharjah Open Innovation Lab drives technological entrepreneurship and connects stakeholders in a state-of-the-art R&D facility.
Ecosystem by the Numbers
Sub-Sector Strengths
Cleantech
The Sharjah Sustainable City project encompasses 1,250 sustainable villas using zero-emission energy sources and saving residents 50% on utilities. SRTIP and Sharjah-based Arada are finalizing a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant in Sharjah, addressing water scarcity using innovative biological engineering. UAE-based ESG-reporting platform Green Future Project and Spanish circular economy startup Candam Technologies won Sheraa’s Access Sharjah Challenge 2023 with $68,100 in deals with Sharjah Sustainable City and BEEAH Group under the endorsement of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and the success was celebrated at COP28.
Digital & Creative Industries
Sharjah Media City (Shams) is a free zone and launch pad for young entrepreneurs in media and creativity. In December 2023, Shams partnered with South Korean metaverse developer Naver to enhance its VR ecosystem. In February 2024, the second Shams Creative Fest supported 50+ SMEs and creatives in market expansion and innovation. Free zone Sharjah Publishing City, home to over 10,000 active registered companies, unveiled its vision for a unified business ecosystem tailored to creative sectors at London Book Fair 2024.
Edtech
MENA's Edtech market is projected to reach $7 billion by 2027, and the UAE is leading this regional Edtech boom. The UAE has already transitioned 1.2 million students online since the start of the pandemic and is the first country in the region to reach over 60% primary education level. In February 2024, The Sharjah Private Education Authority led a delegation of six governmental and semi-governmental organizations at the BETT UK in London, the world's largest EdTech gathering, where Sheraa held workshops and showcased its leading Edtech startups.
Reasons to Move Your Startup to Sharjah
Skilled Talent
Deel's 2023 Global Hiring Report highlights the UAE as the preferred destination for international employment visas. Sharjah invests $1.5 billion annually in education, fostering a diverse, skilled workforce. The American University of Sharjah remains a leading higher education institution in the UAE. Sheraa facilitates talent matching and career fairs in University City, connecting startups with top talent, and partners with universities to integrate entrepreneurship into the curriculum.
Growing Economy
With 33 industrial zones hosting over 72,000 licenses, Sharjah's robust economy and investor-friendly initiatives position it as a top destination for foreign investment. Boasting seaports on both the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman and connectivity via the Sharjah International Airport and the upcoming Etihad Rail, Sharjah is strategically located to become a global trade hub.
Dedicated Support
Invest in Sharjah is a strategic partner for global investors looking to grow their businesses, while the Investors Services Centre offers a one-stop solution for investors. Following the success of Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park’s Sharjah Advanced Industry Accelerator 2023, which drew over 4,200 applications from 75 countries and over $100 million in investment, the 2024 cohort was launched in February.
Selected Startup Organizations
Startup Genome Members
Key Ecosystem Players
Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park (SRTIP)
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