Nominations are now open for the SEFFY Awards 2026, a prestigious ceremony celebrating the region’s top innovators and a major highlight of the annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF). Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the awards aim to spotlight visionary founders, dedicated mentors, and crucial ecosystem enablers who are driving entrepreneurial progress across the UAE with disruptive ideas and lasting impact. The festival is scheduled to take place from January 31st to February 1st, 2026.
Recognizing Excellence Across The Ecosystem
The 2026 edition of the awards will recognise excellence across five key categories designed to honour the diverse contributors shaping the future of the region’s startup landscape. The categories include Technology, Social Impact, Rising Star, Outstanding Mentor, and Ecosystem Enabler.
Winners in each category are not only celebrated for their achievements in innovation and sustainability but are also propelled forward through direct access to Sheraa’s extensive networks, investor circles, and the broader support ecosystem.
A Transparent Judging Process
To promote diversity and excellence, nominations are welcomed from individuals and organizations across the ecosystem, allowing for both self-nomination and third-party submissions. The judging process is led by a panel of seasoned industry experts and ecosystem partners who will assess nominees based on established criteria.
For the Technology category, judges will focus on solutions that address relevant challenges, their potential for scalability, and the founder’s entrepreneurial track record. Social Impact nominees will be evaluated on their venture’s meaningful influence and innovation in creating change. Rising Stars will be assessed on their vision and notable early achievements, while Outstanding Mentors are celebrated for their impactful support to founders. Finally, Ecosystem Enablers earn recognition for facilitating collaboration and driving sustainable startup growth.
A Legacy Of Championing Innovators
The 2025 SEFFY Awards spotlighted some of the UAE’s most inspiring startup success stories, reaffirming Sheraa’s role in nurturing innovation. The Waste Lab secured the Social Impact award for its pioneering approach to tackling food waste, while Pulse IoT Technologies was recognised in the Technology category for its smart connectivity solutions.
Other winners included BEEAH Group in the Ecosystem Enabler category for its work in empowering emerging enterprises, Remal as the Rising Star for its creative business model, and Dr. Mohamed Al Hemairy, who was honoured as Outstanding Mentor for his exceptional guidance of the UAE’s future founders.
Key Dates And How To Nominate
Entrepreneurs, mentors, corporates, and ecosystem contributors based in the UAE are encouraged to submit their nominations before the deadline of December 31, 2025.
A shortlist of finalists will be unveiled on January 20, 2026, with the exclusive award ceremony taking place at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park on February 1st, 2026, during the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival.
About Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa)
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is a government-backed entity launched in 2016 to cultivate a world-class entrepreneurship ecosystem in Sharjah and the wider UAE. By providing a platform for aspiring and established founders, Sheraa offers programs, mentorship, and access to networks that empower entrepreneurs to build and scale impactful ventures. Through flagship initiatives like the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) and the SEFFY Awards, Sheraa plays a pivotal role in celebrating innovation and fostering a collaborative startup community.
Source: My Startup World
