The 9th edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) is returning, bringing together a massive gathering of founders, investors, creatives, and global leaders. Set for January 31 and February 1, 2026, at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), the festival promises two days of dialogue, knowledge exchange, and inspiration under the theme ‘Where We Belong’.
Event Details
- What: The region’s largest platform for entrepreneurial exchange.
- When: January 31 – February 1, 2026.
- Where: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK).
- Focus Areas: Leadership, Enterprise, Culture & Identity, AI Startups, Creativity, and Resilience.
About The Event
Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) has grown into the region’s largest platform for entrepreneurial exchange. Now in its ninth edition, the festival is expected to attract an audience of 14,000 attendees. Its core mission is to create a dynamic space where entrepreneurship intersects with culture, leadership, and ingenuity, fostering a powerful ecosystem for founders, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to connect and share knowledge across diverse markets.
What to Expect
- Inspiring Talks: Hear from over 300 global leaders in business, culture, technology, and sport.
- Interactive Sessions: Engage in dynamic dialogues designed to tackle key challenges and explore emerging opportunities in the ecosystem.
- High-Level Networking: Connect with a diverse audience of 14,000 founders, investors, creatives, and industry pioneers.
Featured Speakers
- Khabib Nurmagomedov: Retired UFC Champion and Entrepreneur.
- Mo Gawdat: Former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet’s ‘X moonshot factory’.
- Badr Jafar: CEO of Crescent Enterprises.
- Patrick Chalhoub: Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group.
- Rachid Mohamed Rachid: Chairman of Alsara Group and Bidayat.
- Anas Bukhash: Founder of Bukhash Brothers.
- Kartik Renjen: Head of Startups, AWS.
Key Themes and Sessions
- The Making of a Champion: A conversation with Khabib Nurmagomedov, moderated by Anas Bukhash, on transitioning from elite sport to business.
- From Regional to Global: Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Patrick Chalhoub, and Mounaz Abdel Raouf will discuss the rise of luxury brands from the region.
- What’s Next for AI Startups in MENA: A session led by AWS’s Kartik Renjen exploring opportunities and responsibilities for AI founders.
- Enterprise at Scale: Badr Jafar shares insights on how organizations are evolving in response to global challenges.
- Human Potential & Tech: Mo Gawdat will bridge the gap between human potential and technological advancement, offering a blueprint for impactful ventures.
How to Attend
For more information and to register for the festival, visit the official SEF 2026 website: sharjahef.com.
About The Organizers
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), a government-supported entity dedicated to building a strong and globally connected ecosystem. Sheraa empowers entrepreneurs and fosters innovation within Sharjah and the wider UAE.
Learn More: Zawya
