Sharjah's ecosystem offerings are set to elevate to a new collaboration between Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah). The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that paves the way for a series of strategic steps they will take together to help the UAE recover from the Covid tragedy.

On Tuesday, Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, and Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of Invest in Sharjah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Sharjah Investors Services Centre (Saeed) in Al Qasba, officially naming Invest in Sharjah as Sheraa's Strategic Partner.

Sheraa will join the local and international delegations of Invest in Sharjah to encourage and attract tech startups to Sharjah's thriving startup ecosystem. Sheraa startups will also be eligible for Sharjah Investors Services Centre (Saeed) services and Entrepreneur Card benefits by Invest in Sharjah.

“We are proud to officially welcome Invest in Sharjah as a Strategic Partner,” said Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa. We will work together to achieve our common goal of promoting the growth of creative startups and establishing Sharjah as a global entrepreneurship leader.” She further adds, “This partnership is built on series of initiatives and accomplishments over the last five years, which have culminated over a hundred startups in the UAE and the region, as well as the strengthening and elevation of the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem to new heights. We will provide a strong and promising investor network to our local and regional startups through Invest in Sharjah, as well as open the door for startups to take advantage of the Sharjah Investors Services Centre (Saeed).”

“As an agency, driving Sharjah's status as the preferred investment destination in Mena, Invest in Sharjah is proud to partner with Sheraa, who has been active in creating a roadmap for cultivating successful startups, paving the way for new promising investment opportunities for entrepreneurs in Sharjah,” said CEO Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh. “Sharjah's dedication to fostering productive collaborations that lay the groundwork for high-impact projects and contribute to the development of our economy is reinforced by our Strategic Partnership with Sheraa.” He adds.

Sheraa has funded 114 startups since its inception, which have generated $125 million in profit, raised over $74 million, and created over 1,300 jobs.

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) recently hosted a group of founders from Italy's leading startups at its headquarters in Sharjah Science, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park), to improve the emirate's entrepreneurial ecosystem. During the tour, 11 Italian startup founders from different industries and sectors were given an overview of the various facilities, programs, and initiatives provided by Sheraa to help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in Sharjah, UAE, and the Mena region.

Sheraa's newly launched "Sharjah Startup Studio (S3)" initiative to the Italian startups, the UAE's first government-backed startup studio that takes a more hands-on approach to venture building. S3 seeks to create long-term companies that will help the area drive in its digitalization. It will use its wide market access to assist startups in obtaining customers and integrating into local and global supply chains.

The 11 Italian startups were in the UAE for the first time as part of the second edition of the Global Startup program, organized by the Italian Trade Agency and supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The delegation was given a tour of SRTI Park and informed about the innovation ecosystem that the Park supports with its cutting-edge facilities and services. During his visit, Al Mahmoudi emphasized SRTI Park's main goals and pillars, assisting the region's knowledge-intensive businesses in growing.