The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has unveiled the first wave of speakers for the ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2026, showcasing a powerful lineup of founders, investors, and innovators from across the globe. The event is scheduled for January 31 and February 1, 2026, at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and is expected to host over 14,000 attendees and more than 300 speakers.
SEF 2026 aims to provide entrepreneurs, investors, and aspiring talent with a comprehensive program to navigate the complexities of launching, scaling, and sustaining ventures in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. The initial speaker list reflects the festival’s commitment to a holistic view of entrepreneurship, with experts from sectors including food tech, sports, wellness, and life sciences.
A Vision for Interconnected Entrepreneurship
Sara Balhaif Al Nuaimi, Executive Director of Sheraa, highlighted the festival’s mission, stating, “Today’s entrepreneurship operates within interconnected ecosystems where disciplines intersect and markets change rapidly, requiring founders to adopt a broader awareness focused on customer needs. Building adaptable and scalable companies requires a precise reading of the environment, flexibility in decision-making, and responsible growth that balances ambition with sustainability.”
Al Nuaimi added, “In this context, SEF provides a space that brings together leaders from diverse sectors, allowing for the exchange of practical and applicable experiences and insights. The festival is a platform that enables entrepreneurs to broaden their horizons, build valuable relationships, and establish competitive and sustainable projects, starting from Sharjah.”
Global Icons from Sports, Tech, and Beyond
The lineup features prominent figures who have transcended their primary fields to make a significant social and business impact. Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel will share insights from his journey into environmental and social initiatives, focusing on sustainability and climate action.
Also speaking is Ghanim Al-Muftah, the Qatari entrepreneur and disability rights activist who gained global recognition at the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His story embodies the resilience and adaptability required to create a lasting social impact.
From the world of business and fashion, Heather Hasson, the first female co-CEO to lead a company public on the New York Stock Exchange with her brand FIGS, will discuss the art of sales and her experience building a direct-to-consumer apparel company for healthcare professionals.
Inspiring attendees with her journey in a male-dominated sport, Amna Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati female racing driver to compete in single-seater championships internationally, will share her story of overcoming challenges and achieving success.
MENA and Global Tech Innovators Take the Stage
The festival will spotlight leaders who are leveraging technology to disrupt industries. Shahzad Younas, Founder and CEO of the Muslim marriage app Muzz, will recount his transition from investment banking to creating a globally recognized tech platform.
Representing Qatar’s thriving tech scene, Hamad Al-Hajri, CEO and co-founder of the e-commerce platform Snoonu, will draw on his two decades of experience in business and AI-enhanced product development to discuss launching successful companies in competitive markets.
Tom Hale, CEO of ŌURA, the company behind the smart ring that provides personalized health data, will share his strategy for integrating wellness into daily routines through technology, backed by over 30 years in the tech and consumer product sectors.
From the food-tech space, Ahmed Al-Rawi, founder of Calo, will explain his company’s strategy of using algorithms to provide personalized meal plans, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers.
Championing Wellness and Personal Growth
SEF 2026 also emphasizes the importance of personal and professional well-being. Former professional basketball player Vadim Fedotov will share his journey to founding Bioniq, a company that creates unique supplement formulas for users and has attracted high-profile investors like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Simran Kaur, founder of the educational and media platform Girls That Invest (now Friends That Invest), will highlight the power of financial literacy and her mission to make investment knowledge accessible to young people, particularly women.
Addressing mental health in the workplace, Karim Ismail, Founder and CEO of the Mental Health Hub for Learning and Development, will discuss designing effective psychological support programs for employees.
With over two decades of experience in public relations and corporate communications, Souad Al Serkal, Founder and CEO of CommCation Consultancy, will share her expertise on leadership, communication, and personal growth.
About Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) is the region’s largest gathering for entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors. The event aims to celebrate innovation, foster project development, and transform ideas into sustainable businesses, aligning with Sharjah’s vision to support a knowledge-based economy. It serves as an interactive platform for the brightest minds in key business sectors to provide guidance and mentorship to founders, professionals, and graduates.
Source: Sharjah24
