In a significant move to bolster the UAE’s agritech sector, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has partnered with the National Agricultural Center to launch Agriboost, a new program designed to empower startups with modern, climate-smart agricultural solutions. The initiative aligns with the “UAE, The Global Entrepreneurship Hub” national campaign, aiming to solidify the country’s position as a leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Fostering Sustainable Agritech Solutions
The Agriboost program is tailored for pre-seed and seed-stage agritech startups developing solutions for the UAE’s specific agricultural challenges. Its primary goal is to equip these ventures with the necessary support to enhance their market competitiveness, expand their customer base, and build innovative, profitable business models that cater to the needs of the local agricultural sector. By fostering a new generation of agritech innovators, the program aims to contribute directly to the nation’s food security and sustainable development goals.
Program Structure And Timeline
The intensive six-week program will provide startups with a structured path to growth and market readiness. Applications are set to open in mid-January 2026 and will run until the end of February. Following a selection process, the intensive training phase will kick off in March, featuring interactive workshops centered on Agile Methodology. This is followed by an incubation period extending through April, which includes specialized mentorship sessions and strategic networking opportunities to build partnerships within the agricultural industry. As a key highlight, participants will have the unique opportunity to showcase their projects and business outcomes at the upcoming UAE Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, providing a valuable platform to connect with investors, experts, and national decision-makers.
A Strategic Push For Food Security
Officials emphasized the program’s strategic importance in addressing national priorities. Sara Balhaif Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated, “The Agriboost program is a strategic platform that enables agritech startups to transform their ideas into impactful business models. This collaboration reflects our shared vision of empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs and solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading center for sustainable agricultural innovation.”
Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the National Agricultural Center, added, “Innovation in agritech is a fundamental pillar for enhancing our food security and the sustainability of our natural resources. By empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, we aim to build a more resilient and efficient agricultural sector capable of contributing to the UAE’s transition towards a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.”
About Agriboost
Agriboost is a specialized six-week program launched as a collaboration between the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and the UAE’s National Agricultural Center. It targets early-stage agritech startups, providing them with training, mentorship, and market access to develop and scale solutions that address pressing local agricultural challenges and contribute to the nation’s food security objectives.
Source: Zawya
