The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has officially launched a new edition of its flagship venture building program, the Sharjah Startup Studio (S3). This initiative is designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs by helping them transform validated ideas into high-growth, operational businesses, with a particular focus on the creative and cultural industries.
Program Overview
Unlike traditional accelerators that focus on scaling existing startups, Sharjah Startup Studio is a venture builder that creates businesses from the ground up. The program targets individuals and teams at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey, often before a minimum viable product (MVP) has been developed. The core objective of S3 is to provide a structured, supportive environment that guides founders through the critical idea-to-seed stage, mitigating early-stage risks and building a strong foundation for future growth.
Key Benefits for Founders
Participants selected for the Sharjah Startup Studio will receive comprehensive, equity-free support tailored to the challenges of launching a new venture. The key benefits include:
- Equity-Free Grant: Access to a pre-seed grant of up to USD 30,000 to cover initial development and operational costs without founders having to give up ownership.
- Operational Support: Hands-on assistance with essential business setup tasks, including company licensing, legal framework, and opening a corporate bank account.
- Expert Mentorship: Direct access to a curated network of industry experts, successful founders, and seasoned mentors to provide guidance and strategic advice.
- Follow-on Funding: Successful graduates of the program may become eligible for follow-on investment from Sheraa’s dedicated seed fund, providing a pathway to future funding rounds.
Eligibility and How to Apply
The Sharjah Startup Studio is seeking ambitious and resilient aspiring founders with innovative ideas, particularly within the creative and cultural sectors. The program is ideal for individuals who are at the pre-idea or idea stage and are looking for a co-founding team and structured support to launch their business.
Applications for the new cohort are now open. Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply directly through the official Sheraa website.
A Focus on Building from the Ground Up
Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, highlighted the program’s unique value proposition. She emphasized that S3 is designed to cultivate a pipeline of high-growth ventures by nurturing home-grown founders from the very beginning. By providing capital, resources, and mentorship without taking equity, Sheraa aims to empower entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that contribute significantly to Sharjah’s economic diversification and its reputation as a creative hub.
About Sheraa
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is a government-supported entity launched in 2016 to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs and build a vibrant startup ecosystem in Sharjah and the wider UAE. Through its diverse range of programs, mentorship, and access to capital, Sheraa supports founders at every stage of their journey, from ideation and incubation to acceleration and growth.
Looking Ahead
The launch of another S3 cohort reinforces Sharjah’s commitment to fostering innovation and de-risking the entrepreneurial path. Venture builders like Sharjah Startup Studio play a crucial role in the MENA ecosystem by providing a much-needed support structure for first-time founders, ultimately increasing the quality and quantity of seed-stage startups entering the market. As the program continues to produce promising companies, it will further solidify the emirate’s position as a launchpad for impactful and creative ventures in the region.
Source: MyStartupWorld
