The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) convened 13 startup founders for its Entrepreneurs Resilience Roundtable to discuss business continuity and stability amid changing market conditions. The event culminated in the launch of a new AED 5 million fund aimed at supporting startups and SMEs in critical sectors.
Quick Facts
- Roundtable gathered 13 prominent startup founders.
- Launch of the AED 5 million Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund.
- Fund targets manufacturing, food security, and healthcare.
Founder Insights on Navigating Market Shifts
The discussion brought together entrepreneurs from various industries to share practical insights on building sustainable businesses. A key theme was the necessity of evolving business models and maintaining strong customer connections.
Wajdan Gul, Co-founder of Squatwolf, commented on adapting operations over time: “We’ve seen how different moments shape how you operate. What matters is staying responsive and making the right decisions based on where your business is today.”
Sahar Karoubi, Founder of Bambuyu, reinforced the importance of customer-centricity. “It comes down to understanding your customer and making sure your approach continues to reflect how they engage with your product,” she noted.
Founders also stressed the need for a solid operational foundation to guide decision-making. “When you are clear on what you stand for, you are able to move forward with focus. Our values have shaped how we make decisions and how we continue to grow,” said Ali Al Bastaki, Founder of Racks.
This discipline was echoed by Faiza Bouguessa, Founder of Bouguessa, who recounted adapting during a challenging period. “We had to rethink how we operated. We paused new collections, narrowed our focus to our bestsellers, and shifted production to our local workshop to maintain continuity,” she explained.
The Power of a Supportive Ecosystem
The conversation moved beyond individual company actions to highlight the critical role of the surrounding ecosystem. Ghizlan Guenez, Founder of F-Force, argued that a founder’s environment is the real differentiator in navigating tough conditions. She emphasized the value of a trusted community, constructive mentors, and networks that provide both strategic direction and access to capital.
Ruba Al Nashash, Co-founder of Pulse IoT, pointed to the need for structured, sector-specific collaboration, particularly in industries like construction. She noted that dedicated platforms for stakeholders help companies respond more effectively to market pressures such as supply chain issues and rising material costs.
H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, summarized the center’s position: “Strong entrepreneurial ecosystems are defined by their ability to respond collectively and decisively. The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund reflects our commitment to enabling founders with the right support at the right time, ensuring they remain focused, stable, and well-positioned for long-term value creation.”
The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund: A Structured Approach
Following the insights shared, Sheraa announced the launch of its Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund. The AED 5 million initiative is designed to support startups and SMEs operating in sectors vital to national resilience, including manufacturing, food security, healthcare, and essential supply chains.
The fund offers a mix of financial and non-financial support. This includes operational guidance, marketing assistance, access to new market opportunities, and connections to Sheraa’s network of mentors, partners, and collaborators. The initiative aims to provide targeted support that addresses both immediate business needs and long-term continuity.
About Sheraa
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is a government-backed entity that supports the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah and the broader UAE. It provides startups and SMEs with mentorship, resources, and access to networks to help them build and scale their businesses, contributing to the region’s economic development and innovation.
Source: Zawya
