Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (April 11, 2017)

Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center)- a launch pad for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates – announced a partnership with Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) to support and empower its accelerator teams in their bid to create a successful commercial enterprise. Sheraa is located in the American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus.

SAIF Zone will be providing the accelerator teams with a discounted two-year free zone license under their name so that they can operate their newly formed enterprises with the Sheraa Headquarters as their office premises.

“The initial days of a new enterprise is a crucial period for young entrepreneurs and they need all the support that they can get to make sure they have a strong launch pad for success,” said Najla Al-Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa. “Our collaboration with SAIF Zone is an important step in this direction and gives our accelerator teams a great platform with the free zone license in order to move ahead quickly with their operations to reach out to customers.”

Ms. Al Midfa added, “Having the backing of SAIF Zone is significant and we greatly appreciate their involvement in helping our accelerator teams and encouraging a new generation of youth entrepreneurs from Sharjah.”

“SAIF Zone is privileged to be collaborating with Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre ‘Sheraa’ in creating an ‘ecosystem’ for youth entrepreneurship in the UAE,” said Mr. Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA). “Harnessing entrepreneurial talents among young people will help unleash their potential and lead to greater employment generation and inclusive growth for the economy as a whole.”

The strategic goals being pursued with this collaboration are in line with the UAE Vision 2021, he added. “By recognizing the unique needs of aspiring young entrepreneurs, and thereby stimulating economic independence of young people, the Agreement also constitutes a new framework to support and spur the growth of SMEs in the region. It will further promote public-private sector collaboration and attain the desired goals for creating a new generation of investors, accelerators and entrepreneurs capable of participating in SME development activities in the country.” 

The accelerator program is Sheraa’s flagship offering, and the first in the UAE to be located within a university. The impactful three-month curriculum is mentorship-driven, and provides young entrepreneurs with business connections and attractive perks and benefits. This hands-on idea-to-startup journey, completed under the guidance of seasoned entrepreneurs and Sheraa’s network of corporate partners and investors, gives students and graduates the confidence required to jumpstart their entrepreneurial ambition and helps position their venture’s long-term success.

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Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center): 
Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center) was launched in January 2016, under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi - Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) - to provide a launch pad for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the UAE. Sheraa's state-of-the-art co-working facility is housed at the American University of Sharjah, and hosts a thriving community of students and ambitious entrepreneurs.

Sheraa – ‘Sail’ in Arabic - inspires youth to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, and empowers them to navigate through the processes of launching a business, transforming them from job seekers to job creators in the United Arab Emirates and the wider region.

It runs the country’s first university-based ‘accelerator’ program, offering a mentorship-driven, three-month entrepreneurship boot camp to support teams that demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and courage. The hands-on accelerator also provides seed-funding, strategic mentorship by industry professionals and a suite of other competitive benefits.

It successfully unveiled 10 startups through the inaugural flagship accelerator, which is conceived in the center’s expansive co-working space where creativity is fostered in an exuberant environment. Also amongst its initiatives is an ‘academy’ that equips students with 21st century industry skills to bridge the skills gap.

For more information, please contact:
Raee Public Relations
Tel: +971 4 4506880
Fax: +971 4 3695482
Email: m.salim@raeeme.com

© Press Release 2017