The National Agriculture Center and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) have announced the launch of Agriboost 2026, a new program designed to empower early-stage AgriTech startups and accelerate agricultural innovation in the United Arab Emirates. The initiative aims to develop sustainable food systems in line with the nation’s strategic priorities for agriculture, sustainability, and food security.
Applications for the program are open from January 15 to February 20, 2026, targeting UAE-based startups in their early stages.
A Strategic Push for Food Security
The Agriboost program represents a strategic effort to embed innovation within the national agricultural agenda. It provides a dedicated platform for the next generation of AgriTech entrepreneurs to develop and scale their solutions, contributing directly to the UAE’s goals of building resilient and sustainable food systems.
Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agriculture Center, stated, “The Agriboost program embodies our commitment to driving agricultural innovation that responds directly to the sector’s needs. Through our close partnership with Sheraa, we are providing an integrated platform that enables startups to test, develop, and apply their solutions, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and creating climate-smart solutions that boost the sector’s resilience and achieve food security in the UAE.”
Echoing this sentiment, H.E. Sara Balhaif Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Sheraa, commented, “The Agriboost program is where innovation intersects with national agricultural priorities. In collaboration with the National Agriculture Center, we offer early-stage entrepreneurs a comprehensive support system to test their ideas and refine their solutions within a real-market context. The program reflects Sheraa’s commitment to empowering founders to develop practical, scalable technologies that contribute to building more sustainable agricultural ecosystems in the UAE.”
What Startups Can Expect
Five selected early-stage startups will participate in the program, with each receiving a participation allowance of AED 15,000.
Beyond the financial grant, participants will gain access to a network of specialized experts, potential customers, partners, and investors. The program also includes software benefits provided by Sheraa to support startup development, marketing opportunities, and complimentary access to co-working spaces. It follows a hybrid model that combines investment opportunities with practical mentorship, allowing founders to focus on go-to-market strategies and revenue generation.
From Bootcamp to Demo Day
The Agriboost program is an intensive 6-week journey designed to help AgriTech startups develop market-ready solutions. It kicks off with a 2-day bootcamp introducing founders to Agile and Lean methodologies, equipping them with tools for high-paced execution through hands-on workshops and team-building activities.
Following the bootcamp, startups enter a 6-week incubator phase focused on transitioning from initial validation to market application. During this stage, founders will define strategic goals, conduct customer discovery, integrate sector-specific knowledge, refine their products, and design go-to-market strategies based on direct customer feedback. The program culminates in a Demo Day, where the startups will present their progress to investors and key stakeholders from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
About Agriboost 2026
Agriboost 2026 is a specialized program launched by the UAE’s National Agriculture Center and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa). It is dedicated to fostering innovation in the AgriTech sector by supporting early-stage startups. The 6-week program provides funding, mentorship, and access to a rich network of industry experts and investors to help entrepreneurs develop scalable solutions that address national priorities in agriculture and food security, in alignment with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s objectives.
Source: Sharjah24
