Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has launched the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to redefine the landscape of entrepreneurial growth and innovation across the key, future-focused sectors of Manufacturing, Edtech, Creative Industries, and Sustainability.
Through a strategic vision, the CoEs will empower startups to spearhead development and growth in the four key sectors through strategic partnerships. Providing market access facilitation and impactful assessments, the initiative aims to revolutionize the support system for startups and catalyze a dynamic and forward-thinking entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah.
Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, declared the launch of the Centers of Excellence as a testament to Sheraa’s resolute commitment to driving impactful transformation, stating, “In line with the visionary goals of the UAE and Sharjah, our aim is to embed sustainability as a fundamental pillar in the entrepreneurial domain, serving as a dynamic force propelling national economies. The CoEs aim to be a potent catalyst empowering founders, nurturing innovation, and providing the resources needed to turn visions into reality.
Strategic partnerships with essential stakeholders
Sheraa has forged strategic partnerships with essential stakeholders to bolster the CoEs, encompassing collaborations with the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest In Sharjah), the American University of Sharjah (AUS), and the University of Sharjah (UoS) as overarching partners across all four centres.
Each centre is aligned with key partners to maximize its impact. The Manufacturing CoE is championed by the Ministry of Industries and Advanced Technology and has on board the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Emirates Development Bank (EDB) to support startups with market access and financing. The Creative Industries CoE is championed by the Ministry of Culture. The EdTech CoE partners with the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and the Sustainability Center is championed by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, as well as BEEAH Group and Sharjah Sustainable City.
The CoEs will leverage industry-specific experts to serve as mentors and advisors to founders and collaborate with corporate entities to support these startups through incubating solutions, implementing strategies, and offering paid contracts. This approach will empower founders to effectively address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
