Sheraa inks accord at GITEX to power next-generation startups in four key areas

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, at GITEX Global, the largest and best-rated AI and tech event in the world, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from October 14 - 18. The announcement was made at the event, where du is showcasing under the theme “Add transformation to tomorrow. With integrated Solutions.”

Signed at the Sharjah Pavilion at GITEX by Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du and Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and witnessed by Sheikh Saud Bin Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Digital Office, the agreement has provided a framework for collaboration between the two entities to mutually exchange expertise and knowledge, as well as collaborate in launching joint initiatives in Sharjah, the UAE, and the broader region.

Particularly, the partnership will focus on enhancing the offerings of Sheraa’s Centres of Excellence (CoE) by expanding du’s technical support across CoE’s programmes and initiatives, to ultimately deepen the positive impact of Sharjah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Priority sectors

Through this collaboration, du and Sheraa will provide tailored support in the form of capacity building, mentorship and market access, enabling mentee startups to accelerate their growth in four of Sharjah's priority industry sectors: sustainability, advanced manufacturing, creative industries and EdTech.

Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa and Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, during the MoU signing.

The scope of the partnership encompasses several key areas aimed at bolstering Sheraa’s strategic initiatives aimed at empowering and launching successive generations of founders. du will support capacity building through entrepreneurship workshops, offer mentorship and advisory sessions for Shera's incubation programmes, and help startups tap into new markets and networks.

Sheraa is highlighting four of its startups at the du Pavilion throughout Expand North Star 2024. These startups will represent Sheraa’s four focus sectors under the CoE and engage with potential investors, industry leaders, and partners to further accelerate their growth.

Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, commented on the collaboration: “At Sheraa, our vision is to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to shape the future of Sharjah’s priority sectors. Through our Centres of Excellence, we connect startups with the resources, partners and market insights they need to drive impactful growth. Our partnership with du strengthens this mission, providing startups with cutting-edge technological support and market access that will help them scale their businesses. Together, we are reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a regional leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, enabling founders to build ventures that not only succeed but create lasting impact.”

Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO at du said: "We are excited to forge pathways that ignite startup potential through strategic partnerships as demonstrated with Sheraa at Expand North Star 2024. Together, we are committed to integrating technology and expertise to empower Sharjah's entrepreneurial ecosystem, accelerating startups in sustainability, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, and EdTech towards remarkable achievements in their respective fields and beyond."

About Sheraa’s Centres of Excellence

Sharjah is a global hub for innovation, and Sheraa's Centres of Excellence (CoE) are at its heart. The CoE focuses on four of Sharjah’s priority industry sectors: Sustainability, Advanced Manufacturing, Creative Industries, and EdTech. Each CoE connects startups with a powerful network of strategic partners, industry leaders, and investors, providing them with the resources and expertise needed to drive impactful growth.