Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 Unveils A Global Speaker Lineup Across Technology, Sport And Social Innovation

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival has announced the first group of speakers for its ninth edition, revealing part of a roster of more than 300 participants. SEF 2026 is expected to welcome about 14,000 attendees, bringing together founders, investors, creatives and professionals for discussions on business building and long-term growth.

Organised by Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), SEF 2026 will run from 31st January to 1st February at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park. The two-day programme will examine how entrepreneurs can launch, scale and sustain companies in an economy shaped by fast technological and social change.

The festival’s first confirmed speakers come from technology, foodtech, health, lifestyle, sports and social innovation, underlining a cross-sector approach to entrepreneurship and innovation. The lineup features Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One World Champion, who will discuss sustainability and social responsibility, alongside entrepreneur and disability rights advocate Ghanim Al-Muftah.

The same group includes Heather Hasson, Co-CEO of FIGS and the first female Co-CEO to lead a company through an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange. Shahzad Younas, Founder and CEO of Muzz, will also speak, joining international and regional founders who are addressing changing user expectations and business models.

The wider speaker list spans regional and global founders and CEOs. Confirmed participants include Hamad Al Hajri, Co-Founder and CEO of Snoonu; Vadim Fedotov, Founder of Bioniq; and Amna Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati female racing driver in international single-seater competitions, reflecting the festival’s focus on diverse experience.

Additional voices include Souad Al Serkal, Founder and CEO of CommCation Consultancy; Tom Hale, CEO of ŌURA; Ahmed Al Rawi, Founder of Calo; Simran Kaur, Founder of Friends That Invest; and Kareem Esmail, Founder and CEO of Mental Health Hub for Learning and Development, who will address specialised topics in their fields.

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, has stated that the festival’s goal is to break silos and encourage knowledge exchange across disciplines. Al Nuaimi highlighted that entrepreneurship now demands adaptability, collaboration and a detailed understanding of both human and market needs to build sustainable and resilient organisations.

Across its sessions, SEF 2026 is designed as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and practical learning. Startups, professionals and graduates are expected to use the connections and insights gained at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival to support innovation-driven projects and contribute to broader, sustainable economic growth in the UAE and beyond.

With inputs from WAM