The upcoming 9th edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026), organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), will feature the launch of the International Pavilion, a dedicated zone designed to connect global entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation ecosystems with the emirate. This new initiative, supported by Emirates NBD, signals a strategic move to position Sharjah as a premier destination for international startups looking to enter and scale within the UAE market.
A Gateway for Global Startups
The International Pavilion is being established as a one-stop gateway for startups exploring entry into the emirate. At its heart will be the Sharjah Pavilion, an integrated space bringing together key government entities, free zones, mainland authorities, and Sheraa.
This setup will offer international founders direct and practical guidance on essential processes such as company formation, licensing, residency, and real estate. The objective is to provide a seamless experience, allowing startups to access the information and connections needed to establish their business and begin scaling from day one.
Fostering Cross-Border Collaboration
SEF 2026 is set to host international startup clusters from Egypt, the Maldives, and Canada, among others, reinforcing Sharjah’s role as a nexus for cross-border collaboration. The pavilion aims to create a dynamic environment where conversations between regional and international ecosystems can lead to tangible partnerships and business outcomes.
H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, commented on the initiative, stating, “Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has reached a stage where international founders are actively considering the emirate as a place to build and grow. The International Pavilion reflects this momentum by bringing global stakeholders together in one environment, making it easier for startups to understand the opportunity, navigate the process, connect with the ecosystem, and take confident steps toward establishing and scaling their businesses from Sharjah.”
Hamad Zayed, Group Head of Business Banking at Emirates NBD, added, “Emirates NBD is pleased to partner with SEF 2026 on the International Pavilion, an initiative that aligns perfectly with our strategic focus on empowering businesses and driving economic growth. We recognise that the future of business is borderless, and through this platform, we are committed to providing international founders with practical guidance, seamless access to Sharjah’s regulatory and business landscape, and meaningful connections that accelerate growth and scale for startups in Sharjah.”
About Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF)
Organized by Sheraa, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) is a key event in the region’s entrepreneurial calendar. The 9th edition will take place from January 31 to February 1, 2026, at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), under the theme “Where We Belong.” The festival convenes founders, investors, creatives, and ecosystem leaders from around the world for two days of dialogue, networking, and immersive experiences.
About Emirates NBD
Emirates NBD is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye) region with a presence in 13 countries. The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia.
Source: Zawya
