Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre Hosts Inaugural Sheraa Deal Dock To Connect Startups With Investors

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre, known as Sheraa, recently organised the inaugural Sheraa Deal Dock on May 29th. This event gathered around 200 startups and connected them with a network of active investors at Sheraa's headquarters. A significant highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sheraa and Continuous Venture Capital, aimed at enhancing funding access for startups in their early stages.

During the event, six investors participated: Global Ventures, Continuous Ventures, Oraseya Capital, Wamda Capital, Beco Capital, and Shorooq Partners. Each startup engaged in one-on-one meetings with investors who shared similar interests and sectors. This strategic matching aimed to maximise meaningful outcomes for both parties involved.

A key feature of the event was a fireside chat titled "Inside the Investor’s Mind." This session provided founders with valuable insights into investor expectations and decision-making processes. Sonia Weymuller, Co-Founder and General Partner at VentureSouq and a Sheraa Advisory Board Member, shared her expertise during this discussion with moderator Nader Amiri from Homegrown Ventures.

Sheraa's collaboration with Continuous Venture Capital was formalised through an MoU signed by Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and Colin Meagle, Founding Partner of Continuous Venture Capital. This partnership aims to boost funding opportunities for startups in the pre-seed and seed stages by connecting them with regional and international investors.

Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi expressed Sheraa's dedication to creating platforms that offer meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors alike. She emphasised that early-stage founders require more than just financial support; they need partners who understand the challenges of building a business.

Colin Meagle highlighted the strategic value of their collaboration by stating that transformative ventures often start with a single opportunity backed by belief, guidance, and access to resources. This partnership underscores Sheraa's commitment to accelerating startup growth through strategic support and market exposure.

Positioning Sharjah as an Innovation Hub

Sheraa Deal Dock exemplifies the centre's role in establishing Sharjah as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation. Since its inception in 2016, Sheraa has supported over 450 startups and facilitated nearly $300 million in funding. Events like Deal Dock represent a new chapter in this journey by providing curated access and quality engagement for measurable success.

The event aligns with Sheraa’s broader mission to accelerate access to capital while supporting impactful ventures' growth. By fostering connections between startups and investors, Sheraa continues to play a pivotal role in nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems within the region.

With inputs from WAM