UAE’s Next-Gen Entrepreneurs Accelerate Towards Success

Wednesday 21 February 2018
Sharjah - MENA Herald:

In the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), the centre hosted the graduation ceremony of its Accelerator Program cohort alongside its second ‘Showcase Day’

The program helps early stage, high-growth startups scale their business through intensive workshops and mentorship. During the showcase, ten teams and individuals pitch their ideas, which hail from F&B to technology to healthcare, in front of leading investors, key opinion leaders and heads of government entities, enabling them to connect with the right people who will help push their startups forward.

Ten teams and individuals, having passed through rigorous screening for innovativeness, commercial viability and potential impact were shortlisted by Sheraa, after which they underwent an intensive four-month training and mentorship program. The new startups were supported with seed funding, trade license, office-space and access to customers amongst other benefits.

Actively involved in the day’s agenda including reviewing business models, assess vision of these startups, were potential investors and industry veterans from the UAE business community who offered valuable advice to the entrepreneurs during their journey on to turning ideas into cohesive, feasible business plans.

“A sincere passion for business, an excitement to perform and deliver, paying heed to guidance, effectively utilizing resources and support to finally showcase what was just an idea is what today is all about,” says Najla Al Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa. “The best part about ‘Showcase Day’ is the visual representation of hard work. It is humbling to do this in the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi who has been a key figure in developing Sheraa and supporting entrepreneurial ventures and dreams of the youth.”

“The journey has only begun for these young entrepreneurs and we are excited to nurture, harness and mentor these talents in hopes of empowering them to succeed in their respective industries and to their best abilities,” adds Al Midfa. 

Startups shortlisted for the accelerator:

1. ASM3NI

Asm3ni is a platform for a diversified and curated list of Arabic audio books created from independent authors

2. SLICES

Slices is a homegrown food and beverage company based in the UAE. Slices is made up of a team of experts on a mission to transform eating habits across the UAE through providing wholesome, nutritious meals. Their work focuses on facilitating school students’ access to
safe, healthy, and balanced food options and wellness tools.

3. THE TEMPEST

The Tempest is a groundbreaking technology and media company aimed at building, amplifying and connecting innovative products and experiences for diverse millennial women. Reaching millions every month,
The Tempest empowers, disrupts, and amplifies, all at once.

4. RISE

Rise is a wealth management platform for migrants, aspiring to create possibilities and improve lives for millions globally. Rise believes wealth is not
just money, but knowledge and hunger to grow. The platform
helps migrants manage their finances, learn new skills and build a better future.

5. C3

C3 is a UAE-based social enterprise helping social entrepreneurs in the Middle East unlock their potential and maximize their positive impact on the community. C3 programs accelerate their growth and impact with the support of experienced professionals willing to share their knowledge on a pro-bono basis.

6. SAVARIN

Savarin is a food and beverage company dedicated to supplying beautiful, tailor-made desserts using only the finest and purest ingredients. The high standards set by Savarin can be found on every scale – in small, medium and
large volumes. Whether they are serving a boutique hotel or a global airline, they are committed to making sure that their desserts leave a ‘wow!’ on everyone’s lips!

7. MEET THE LOCALS

Meet The Locals provides opportunities for expats and visitors in the UAE to enjoy the nation’s famed Emirati hospitality, immerse themselves in authentic cultural experiences and engage in open and
honest conversations with Emiratis.

8. SOUKARE

Soukare is a healthcare tech startup.
Soukare’s primary goal is to leverage technology to provide a fast, convenient and hassle-free e-commerce experience to its customers.

9. MONDA GALLERY

Monda Gallery offers an eclectic collection of works primarily from the Middle East and Asia, in a variety of mediums (originals, fine art prints, photography), and at a variety of price points, enabling everyone
to discover an artist or an artwork to their taste.

10. PROTENDERS

ProTenders lets you manage your tenders, gather powerful construction intelligence and find new partners, all within a single easy-to-use platform.

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