SBWC Elevates Female Founders With Sponsorship At Expand North Star 2024

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) is set to sponsor female-led startups at the Expand North Star 2024 event and the 'Supernova Challenge 2.0' pitch competition. These events will be held at Dubai Harbour from 13-16 October 2024. This initiative aims to provide women entrepreneurs with a global platform to showcase their ventures, secure funding, and build valuable connections.

As an official partner in the ‘Women in Tech’ track for the seventh year, SBWC will select eight exceptional women founders with innovative startups in tech, AI, and other advanced sectors. These selected startups will receive fully-sponsored participation at Expand North Star 2024. The event is hosted by GITEX Global and the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, attracting investors, industry leaders, and potential partners worldwide.

The SBWC-sponsored startups will have a unique opportunity to present their ideas to this influential audience. This exposure can lead to investment opportunities, collaborations, and accelerated growth for their ventures. Additionally, these startups will qualify for the ‘Supernova Challenge 2.0’, competing for a share of the US$200,000 equity-free prize pool.

The Supernova Challenge is the largest startup pitch competition in the MENA region, focusing on innovative solutions in sustainability and social impact. The competition includes several categories and culminates in a US$100,000 grand prize for the overall ‘Supernova Champion’. SBWC has also sponsored a US$10,000 prize exclusively for the ‘Women in Tech’ category.

The finals of the Supernova Challenge will take place on the last day of Expand North Star 2024. This allows selected startups to showcase their solutions to a global audience and compete for significant cash prizes that could transform their businesses.

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

Mariam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, commented on this opportunity: "At the Sharjah Business Women Council, we believe that empowering women with the right knowledge, skill sets, and connections is key to driving societal success. By providing female entrepreneurs with an enabling environment and unlocking access to global platforms such as Expand North Star and their Supernova Challenge, we are opening doors to invaluable opportunities that will propel their innovative startups to new heights."

To participate in these events, applicants must be SBWC members. Non-members can apply for membership through SBWC's website. Participation is fully sponsored by SBWC; hence application is free. Eligible startups must be UAE-based, founded or co-founded by a woman entrepreneur, and operating for under five years in the technology sector.

This strategic initiative by SBWC not only supports women entrepreneurs but also strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem by encouraging innovation and collaboration among female-led businesses.

With inputs from WAM