The upcoming ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), will prominently feature the “Made in Sharjah” zone, a strategic platform dedicated to celebrating and promoting local innovation. Taking place on January 31 and February 1, 2026, at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), the initiative provides a dedicated space for Sharjah-based founders to showcase their products, forge new partnerships, and connect directly with customers and investors.
With support from key partners including the Bank of Sharjah and the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), the “Made in Sharjah” zone aims to bolster the presence of locally manufactured goods in the market, reflecting the emirate’s growing and maturing entrepreneurial landscape.
A Hub for Homegrown Talent
The zone serves as a critical component of SEF 2026, which is themed “Where We Belong” and is expected to attract over 14,000 participants from across the globe. It is designed to be more than just a product showcase; it’s an interactive experience where founders lead workshops and engage directly with the community, demonstrating the journey from idea to a tangible, market-ready product.
Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, commented on the initiative, stating, “The ‘Made in Sharjah’ zone reflects the emirate’s vision of empowering local entrepreneurs by providing a practical space that highlights their work and supports their market presence. This zone is part of an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem focused on supporting local production and ensuring economic sustainability, which reinforces the role of existing projects in building a tangible economic impact.”
Key Partnerships Fueling Growth
The success of the “Made in Sharjah” initiative is amplified by strategic collaborations with established institutions. These partnerships are instrumental in providing founders, particularly women entrepreneurs, with the resources and platforms needed for sustainable growth.
Maryam bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council, remarked, “Our collaboration with Sheraa reflects our commitment to supporting women-led projects and enabling them to contribute effectively to the emirate’s economic landscape. Through this cooperation, founders can move from idea to execution, build effective partnerships, and access platforms that support sustainable growth.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah, said, “The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is an effective platform for shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE. At Bank of Sharjah, we affirm our commitment to supporting initiatives that empower entrepreneurs, enhance the business ecosystem, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. Our participation reflects our belief in the importance of partnerships that turn ideas into tangible impact.”
From Cultural Games to Bespoke Blends
The zone will feature a diverse array of consumer products developed through collaborations between Sheraa and local founders, each reflecting Sharjah’s unique cultural identity.
Highlights include “Sharjah: The Board Game,” a cultural board game created in partnership with Racks Cafe and founder Ali Al Bastaki, which takes players on a journey through Sharjah’s markets in 1978. Other exclusive items include a limited-edition “Sharjah Perfume” developed with Al Hanan Industries and the “Sharjah Blend,” a special coffee experience launched for the first time in collaboration with Toga Cafe.
An Integrated Creative Ecosystem
Beyond products, the “Made in Sharjah” zone fosters a collaborative environment through interactive experiences. This includes the “Dream Gate,” led by Ali Al Bastaki, an interactive space where visitors can refine their ideas using the D.R.E.A.M. methodology (Dream, Develop, Explore, Design, Implement).
Further collaborations showcase the ecosystem’s synergy. Waggish, a Sharjah-based contemporary Arab design brand, will unveil an exclusive product line inspired by the festival. In a unique partnership, local ice cream shop Uncle Sam’s will team up with Ethr cafe to present “Asida Cups,” a locally inspired ice cream with artistic packaging designed by Waggish. The area will also host a series of free public workshops in partnership with “The Workshop,” covering skills like miniature model design and punch needle embroidery to encourage hands-on learning and community engagement.
About Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa)
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is a government-backed entity dedicated to building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah. It provides a launchpad for aspiring and established entrepreneurs by offering a range of programs, mentorship, and access to a network of partners and investors. Sheraa is the organizer of the annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), a key event in the region that brings together innovators, investors, and thought leaders to inspire and empower the next generation of founders.
Source: Sharjah24
