Sharjah: The ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) saw the signing of 17 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at SEF Vault Powered by Emarat, formalising partnerships spanning critical economic sectors and unlocking AED100 million in financing to support start-up growth, innovation, and scalability.
According to Emirates News Agency, the agreements brought together government entities, financial institutions, corporates, and ecosystem enablers, covering funding and financing solutions, fintech and digital payments, AI skills development, advanced manufacturing, industry-led pilots, and market expansion.
Collectively, the MoUs represent one of the most significant deal-making outcomes in the Festival's history, reinforcing SEF's role as a platform where collaboration delivers tangible economic impact. Signed within the SEF Vault, powered by the Emirates Petroleum Company - Emarat, the festival's Exclusive senior leadership networking lounge, the agreements reflected a shared commitment to strengthening every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, from early-stage funding and capability building to scale-up support and market access.
Commenting on the significance of the cross-sector agreements signed at SEF Vault, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), which organises SEF, said, 'SEF Vault reflects the essence of what the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival stands for: meaningful collaboration, shared ambition, and action-driven partnerships. By bringing together government, corporates, investors, and founders in a trusted space, we are accelerating opportunities that help startups scale, innovate, and contribute to a resilient and inclusive economy.'
Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Chief Retail Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing at Emarat, stated that 'Emarat is committed to empowering SMEs and supporting the national entrepreneurship ecosystem. We are proud to partner with SEF through initiatives such as SEF Vault powered by Emarat, creating meaningful platforms that support founders, strengthen the wider community, and advance the UAE's innovation economy.'
The MoUs signed at SEF Vault spanned multiple economic sectors critical to start-up growth, including capital access, banking, fintech, and scale-stage investment. Represented by its CEO, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, Sheraa formalised multiple MoUs to improve access to capital, liquidity, and financial infrastructure for early- and growth-stage ventures.
Zelo and Sheraa announced a partnership to accelerate access to working capital for startups and SMEs, introducing faster funding mechanisms, including a dedicated AED100 million financing pool and invoice financing solutions. Sheraa's collaboration with Emirates NBD focused on supporting Sheraa's startups and SMEs by enabling access to startup-friendly financial solutions that facilitate growth and scalability.
Digital finance and payments also featured prominently through Sheraa's partnership with Al Fardan Exchange, which focused on strengthening startups' access to fintech and digital financial services. Supporting SMEs and start-ups through procurement access and investment opportunities was further strengthened through Sheraa's partnership with e and .
Sheraa's focus on future-ready capabilities was reinforced through partnerships centred on artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and applied technology. Through its partnership with Arabic.AI, Sheraa advanced AI capability-building for founders via the Arabic.AI Academy. Innovation in advanced manufacturing was strengthened through Sheraa's collaboration with Maxbyte, which focused on supporting industry-led pilots.
Additional technology-focused collaborations were announced between Sheraa and HP. Sector-specific partnerships were also formalised between Ruwad and POPUP, ReLife and Tata Consultancy Services, and Tapy and Hlthera. An exclusive distribution agreement was signed between PeykBot and Egrobots, supporting PeykBot's expansion into the Egyptian and Saudi markets.
Beyond partnerships and deal-making, SEF Vault also offered curated cultural and culinary experiences. Ballad, an immersive hospitality studio, showcased a landscape-to-table culinary approach. SEF Vault also featured a bespoke coffee-pairing experience by Palate, an independent Sharjah-based coffee roastery.
SEF 2026, themed Where We Belong, was held at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). The ninth edition welcomed more than 14,000 attendees and featured more than 250 sessions and activities across 10 curated zones spanning entrepreneurship, creativity, investment, impact, and wellbeing.
