The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2024 is set to host a stellar lineup of visionaries, innovators, and leaders who have significantly shaped their respective industries across a myriad of sectors, most notably HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the President of the International Esports Federation (IESF). Through their entrepreneurial journeys, creating world-famous brands, and media megaliths that reach millions of people, these pioneers have shown what it takes to make a lasting impact on the world, and will provide a blueprint for success for aspiring startups.
With the following lineup, the festival, organised by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center from 3-4 February 2024, will guarantee that all attending the festival are inspired, informed, and empowered to start and grow in their own entrepreneurial journey.
Digital transformation and leadership
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud: Regional Esports pioneer
HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, a prominent member of the Saudi royal family, holds the esteemed position of Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. Additionally, he serves as the President of the International Esports Federation (IESF), showcasing his global leadership in the esports community. His impactful initiatives include Gamers Without Borders, raising $40 million for UN-humanitarian aid, and the world’s largest annual gaming festival, Gamers8, held in Riyadh. Prince Faisal’s multifaceted roles and strategic initiatives contribute significantly to inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs, making him a prominent figure both regionally and globally.
Steven Bartlett: Entrepreneurial visionary and digital don
Back by popular demand, Steven Bartlett, founder of ‘Social Chain’ and host of Europe’s biggest podcast, ‘The Diary of a CEO,’ brings a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit to SEF 2024. As the youngest-ever Dragon on BBC’s ‘Dragon Den’ and an influential social media personality, Bartlett’s multifaceted approach reflects his commitment to shaping the future of digital innovation and creating positive impact through his channels.
Chris Barton: Shaping the future of AI and music discovery
Chris Barton, the Founder and Creator of Shazam, stands as a pioneer of innovation in the tech industry. Shazam, with over 2 billion downloads, revolutionised music discovery and laid the foundation for the consumer AI industry. Barton, a sought-after speaker, will share his “Start From Zero” thinking method at SEF 2024, urging audiences to question assumptions and challenge conventional wisdom.
Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr: Championing digital transformation
Dr. Aisha, a Global Digital Transformation Expert, boasts over 27 years of experience driving impactful initiatives in ICT development and public sector governance. Her leadership at the Smart Dubai Department and integration of digital transformation with governance models position her as a leader in the field.
Media, arts, and culture influencers
Nadine Labaki: Award-winning Actress and Director
Nadine Labaki, an award-winning actress and director, has made significant contributions to the film industry. Her films, including ‘Caramel’ and ‘Capernaum,’ have received international acclaim, earning her the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018.
Joe Hattab: Cinematic exploration of global travel
Joe Hattab, a documentary filmmaker and the world’s leading Arab YouTuber, shares his cinematic travel experiences. With over 11.9 million subscribers on Youtube alone, his videos offer a unique perspective on global travel and relevant social issues.
Aboflah: Influencing gaming culture in the MENA region
Hassan “Aboflah” Suleiman, a content creator with over 35 million YouTube subscribers and over 700 million views, holds a prominent position in the regional gaming space. His meteoric rise, and achievements in the Guinness World Records, notably the longest live stream of over 268 hours and most viewers for a charity donation live stream on YouTube, underscore his significant positive impact and support of humanitarian causes.
Emerging Business Leaders and Innovators
Abdullah Abu Sheikha: Trailblazing in Tech and Entrepreneurship
Recognized in Forbes Middle East’s 30 Under 30 list for 2023, Abdullah Abu Sheikha, the CEO of Botim, is revolutionising communication technologies in the MENA region. His app, Botim, has become a staple in digital communication, showcasing his knack for innovative solutions in tech entrepreneurship.
Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani: A champion of SME development
Abdulaziz B. Al Loughani is the Managing Partner at Faith Capital, a venture capital firm in the GCC. He is also Chairman and CEO of ‘Floward’, the leading online flowers and gifting company in the Middle East and the UK. Floward recently raised $156 million in a pre-IPO Series C round. With a background in tech startups and extensive experience in private equity, Abdulaziz is a key figure in the GCC’s entrepreneurial and investment landscape.
Payal Kadakia: Renowned unicorn business founder
Payal Kadakia is the Founder of ClassPass, a major player in the fitness and wellness industry which was acquired by Mindbody in October 2021. Known for her innovation and dedication, she has been instrumental in creating a platform that allows users to access a diverse range of fitness classes effortlessly. Under Payal’s leadership, ClassPass achieved “unicorn status” in 2020, obtaining a valuation of $1 billion. Her entrepreneurial journey and vision of transforming the fitness sector have made Payal Kadakia a notable figure in the business world and was featured in Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40 list.
Health and Wellness expertise
Jessie Inchauspé: Unlocking the secrets of blood sugar
Jessie Inchauspé, a French biochemist and bestselling author famously known as Glucose Goddess, brings her expertise to SEF 2024. She explores the essential role of blood sugar in our lives and offers transformative tips for physical and mental health.
Lana Nahawi, Women’s Embodiment Coach
Lana Nahawi, a dedicated Women’s Embodiment Teacher and Coach, presents her unique methodology at SEF 2024. She specialises in guiding women through significant life transitions, utilising embodiment techniques to foster personal empowerment, resilience in the face of uncertainty, and a deeper connection to joy and vitality.
Mohit Kumar: Redefining personalised fitness journeys
Mohit Kumar, Founder & CEO of Ultrahuman, is an entrepreneur, avid cyclist, and biohacker. His vision for Ultrahuman is to personalise fitness journeys, drawing inspiration from smart training observed during his time at one of the world’s largest MMA camps.
Culinary and lifestyle excellence
Mouza Alabbar: Crafting experiential lifestyle brands
Mouza Alabbar, Founder of ‘ANOTHER’ and Co-founder of Alabbar Enterprises, leads the creation of unique lifestyle experiences across F&B and retail. ANOTHER and Alabbar Enterprises redefine experiential concepts in Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.
Amna Al Hashemi: Culinary Innovator and Entrepreneur
Chef Amna Al Hashemi, the founder of Mitts & Trays, represents a blend of traditional cooking techniques and modern culinary practices. Her transition from media research to F&B entrepreneurship highlights her commitment to quality, family-friendly dining experiences. As a certified chef, she is passionate about teaching and inspiring the UAE’s youth in culinary arts.
Salam Dakkak & Nada Darraj: Culinary excellence at Bait Maryam
Salam Dakkak, an acclaimed Palestinian-Jordanian Chef, and Nada Darraj, Managing Partner at Bait Maryam, showcase culinary excellence. Recognized in the Bib Gourmand category of the 2022 Michelin Guide, their dedication to preserving ancestral recipes is complemented by strategic leadership.
Through SEF 2024’s commitment to diversity and excellence in entrepreneurship, attendees can look forward to engaging talks from these influential personalities, insightful discussions, empowering workshops, unparalleled networking opportunities, performances and more. For more information and to secure your ticket, visit https://sharjahef.com/.
