Sheraa Concludes 2025 Dojo+ Programme With Three Innovative Student Projects

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) wrapped up its 2025 Dojo+ programme with a lively Pitch Competition at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park. This event marked the end of an intensive eight-week journey where student entrepreneurs presented innovative projects tackling real-world issues. Three standout teams were recognised for their contributions in education technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.

Suhoola, led by Omar Mokhtar, secured first place with a project that reimagines the ablution (Wudu’) experience. The initiative introduces aesthetically pleasing, ergonomic units that improve hygiene and accessibility in public spaces. Second place went to Speak.ai, created by Faris Nasser and Khaleel Zamqan. This platform uses AI and business analytics to enhance multilingual voice automation for customer service, helping businesses increase efficiency.

FoodSwap, founded by Lamis Abualkheir, claimed third place. It employs AI to offer personalised dining experiences by matching restaurants with customers based on taste profiles. Twe won the Public Favorite Award; it was developed by Osama Damati, Deemah Abdelkader, and Umair Ahmed. Twe is a comprehensive platform connecting students with universities, scholarships, and internships to simplify academic and career planning.

This edition of Dojo+ featured 34 startups from 14 universities. These startups represented sectors like edtech, AI, sustainability, and manufacturing. The programme reflects Sharjah’s focus on fostering a diversified economy driven by knowledge. Dojo+ evolved from Sheraa’s original Startup Dojo programme into an eight-week initiative aimed at transforming promising ideas into viable businesses.

Participants engaged in workshops and received one-on-one mentoring covering essential startup areas such as intellectual property rights, funding strategies, marketing fundamentals, prototyping, and investor-focused pitch development. Abeer AlAmeeri, Director of Ecosystem Development at Sheraa, highlighted Dojo+'s role in empowering young entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life.

Mentorship and Opportunities

Throughout the programme, student teams received guidance from international experts who assisted them in overcoming challenges related to product development, market readiness, and financial planning. The final pitch event provided a platform for these entrepreneurs to engage directly with investors and business leaders.

Abeer AlAmeeri noted that the integrated environment of training, mentorship, and market access equips participants with the tools needed to thrive in competitive markets. The recognition of top student projects underscores the innovative spirit within Sharjah’s academic institutions.

The winners received AED32,000 in prizes along with an opportunity to join the Sharjah Startup Studio (S3). S3 offers participants access to business licenses, visas, dedicated workspaces, and expert mentorship. This support aims to help them scale their ventures beyond the programme's scope.

The Dojo+ programme not only showcases innovation but also reinforces Sharjah’s commitment to nurturing talent capable of delivering real-world impact. By providing a platform for young entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into viable businesses, Sheraa continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in the region.

With inputs from WAM