Sheraa Announces Winners Of Access Sharjah Challenge With Innovative Solutions In AgriTech And Livestock Health

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has revealed the winners of the sixth "Access Sharjah Challenge." NoorNation and Faunatech each secured AED250,000, sharing a total prize of AED500,000. This year's challenge saw 2,207 applications from 24 countries, including the United States, Canada, Egypt, and France. The competition featured 11 companies vying for top positions in AgriTech and Livestock Health tracks.

Sheraa's CEO, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, emphasised the challenge's strategic focus on innovative solutions to global issues. She stated that this edition bolstered Sharjah's status as a hub for talent and creative ideas impacting various sectors. "Supporting entrepreneurs at Sheraa is a fundamental part of a broader developmental vision aimed at establishing innovation as a primary driver of economic and social growth," she said.

Salem Abdullah Al Kaabi from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock highlighted their commitment to innovation in agriculture and livestock sectors. He noted that the winning solutions could transform agricultural resource management and enhance livestock productivity. "Working with our strategic partners to activate these solutions will help build a smart and resilient agricultural model," he added.

The AgriTech track asked startups to address sustainable irrigation amid water scarcity with the theme: "How can we provide water in an innovative, scalable way without overburdening farmers?" Meanwhile, the Livestock Health track focused on innovations in monitoring and preventive care under the theme: "How can we maintain the health of livestock?"

NoorNation triumphed in the AgriTech track with its "LifeBox" system. This solar-powered solution provides clean water for irrigation and livestock support while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Ragy Ramadan, NoorNation's CEO, expressed excitement about LifeBox's potential impact on water provision and food security in Sharjah.

Faunatech won in the Livestock Health track with its smartphone-based diagnostic platform for early disease detection in livestock. The "Fauna SCC Test" improves milk quality by enabling on-site diagnosis of diseases like mastitis. Rajat Pandya, Faunatech's CEO, remarked on the significance of winning this challenge for introducing their solutions to the UAE market.

Empowering Startups Through Global Challenges

The Access Sharjah Challenge is an annual event organised by Sheraa to invite international startups to tackle industry-specific challenges. Over time, it has become a platform for startups to showcase their solutions in Sharjah while promoting innovation across various sectors. This initiative supports visionary entrepreneurs aiming to scale their impact regionally and globally.

Sheraa continues to foster an environment where entrepreneurs can develop viable solutions contributing to sustainable growth. By providing resources and support, Sheraa helps startups like NoorNation and Faunatech make meaningful contributions towards building resilient futures.

With inputs from WAM