The Sharjah ecosystem is championing female entrepreneurship with the announcement of the latest cohort for the Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship (SWIF). The program has selected 12 exceptional UAE-based women founders who are leading purpose-driven ventures designed to create lasting change. This new cohort represents a diverse range of industries, from digital platforms and AI to sustainable luxury and health-tech, all poised to scale their impact from Sharjah to a global stage.
The 2024 SWIF Cohort
The 12 founders selected for the fellowship include:
- Asma AlQaseer – FirmFox: UAE’s first fully digital business setup platform.
- Dania Shahin – Salsa: On-demand chefs bringing fresh, home-cooked meals to homes.
- Dr. Fida Deyab – Tapy: Smart wearables enhancing safety for people of determination.
- Dr. Noora Alshamsi – Noora Shamsi Jewellery: Sustainable luxury celebrating Emirati craftsmanship.
- Mahra Al Hosani – Pharmedic: Advancing precision medicine through innovation and AI.
- Maitha Alansari – Locallure: Connecting global brands with the UAE’s creative market.
- Malin Raman Delin – Hylo: Circular retail transforming surplus goods into sustainable opportunities.
- Maya Sherif Ibrahim – More.Than: Healthy food brand redefining accessible nutrition.
- Noora AlSuwaidi – Teel Floral Studio & Lāmāk Studios: Celebrating Emirati identity through floral artistry and design.
- Qadreya Al Awadhi – Bumblebee Food: Organic meals promoting healthy habits for children.
- Rana Askoul – Khateera: Media platform amplifying women’s voices across the Arab world.
- Ruba Al Nashash – Pulse IoT Technologies: Smart monitoring solutions for safer infrastructure.
Revolutionizing Tech and Digital Services
Several founders are leveraging technology to build scalable solutions. The cohort includes Asma AlQaseer of FirmFox, the UAE’s first fully digital business setup platform, and Maitha Alansari of Locallure, a platform connecting global brands with the local creative market. In the media space, Rana Askoul is amplifying women’s voices through her platform Khateera. Addressing critical infrastructure and health needs, Ruba Al Nashash is developing smart monitoring solutions with Pulse IoT Technologies, Mahra Al Hosani is advancing precision medicine through AI at Pharmedic, and Dr. Fida Deyab is enhancing safety for people of determination with Tapy’s smart wearables.
Redefining Food Health and Wellness
The food and wellness sector is strongly represented with founders focused on promoting healthier lifestyles. Dania Shahin’s Salsa provides on-demand chefs for fresh, home-cooked meals, while Maya Sherif Ibrahim’s More.Than is a healthy food brand redefining accessible nutrition. Targeting the younger generation, Qadreya Al Awadhi’s Bumblebee Food offers organic meals to instill healthy eating habits in children from an early age.
Championing Sustainability and Creative Enterprise
A focus on sustainability and the creative economy is also prominent within the cohort. Malin Raman Delin is tackling waste with Hylo, a circular retail model that transforms surplus goods. In the luxury space, Dr. Noora Alshamsi’s Noora Shamsi Jewellery champions sustainable practices and celebrates Emirati craftsmanship. Noora AlSuwaidi is also celebrating Emirati identity through her dual ventures, Teel Floral Studio & Lāmāk Studios, which focus on floral artistry and design.
About Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship (SWIF)
The Sharjah Women Impact Fellowship (SWIF) is a dedicated program designed to empower UAE-based female founders. It provides resources, mentorship, and support to help them scale their purpose-driven ventures, enabling them to create a lasting positive impact both locally and globally. The fellowship is a key initiative in strengthening Sharjah’s position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in the MENA region.
Source: Sheraa
