Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and Startup Genome have teamed up to spotlight Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Global Startup Ecosystem Report:

• The ecosystem created $424 million in Ecosystem Value from Jul 01, 2021 to Dec 31, 2023. Ecosystem Value is a measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations.

• #5 MENA Ecosystem in Bang for Buck — measures the amount of runway tech startups acquire, on average, from a VC round

• Top 10 MENA Ecosystem in Talent & Experience — measures long-term trends over the most significant performance factors

• Top 10 MENA Ecosystem in Funding — measures innovation through early-stage funding and investor’s activity

• Top 10 MENA Ecosystem in Affordable Talent — measures the ability to hire tech talent

• Top 15 MENA Ecosystem in Knowledge — measures innovation through research and patent activity

• Top 15 MENA Ecosystem in Performance — measures the size and performance of an ecosystem based on the accumulated tech startup value created from exits and funding

• The Cleantech, Digital & Creative Industries, and Edtech sectors are highlighted for their density of talent, support resources, and startup activity

• Sharjah's $1.5 billion annual investment in education, 33 industrial zones, and the Investors Services Centre are cited as reasons a startup should move to the ecosystem

“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,” says Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa).

"We take great pride in our collaboration with Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center to spotlight local startup success stories," shares Stephan Kuester, Managing Partner at Startup Genome. "Traditionally strong in Media- and Edtech sectors with access to affordable talent and a vibrant investor scene, Sharjah is now developing into a hub for Cleantech. The organization has encouraged many young people to explore tech entrepreneurship, reshaping perceptions of it as a desirable career path. Their annual flagship event engages and excites the local community, while putting Sharjah on the global startup map."

For more insights and an overview of Sharjah’s startup landscape, visit the Sharjah’s ecosystem page.

To learn more about startup ecosystems around the world, view the full, free Global Startup Ecosystem Report.