Sheraa And HORIVISTA Forge Strategic Partnership To Enhance Cross-Border Startup Growth

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and HORIVISTA, a company from China, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the "Make it in the Emirates 2025" forum. This agreement aims to support startup growth between the UAE and China by leveraging HORIVISTA’s expertise in connecting these markets. Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and Sam Sun, Managing Director of HORIVISTA, signed the MoU.

Under this agreement, Sheraa will assist Chinese startups referred by HORIVISTA in expanding into the UAE. This includes setting up operations in Sharjah and participating in Sheraa’s programmes like the Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) and Access Sharjah Challenge. These efforts are subject to Sheraa’s eligibility criteria. In return, HORIVISTA will help Sheraa-backed startups enter the Chinese market.

The collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation and helping startups access new markets. Chinese startups entering the UAE will benefit from subsidised business licensing, coworking spaces, and tailored advisory services. Meanwhile, Sheraa-backed startups venturing into China will receive market insights, introductions to local networks, and guidance on navigating regulations.

Sara Al Nuaimi stated, "At Sheraa, we believe that enabling startups to scale beyond borders is key to building resilient, future-ready economies. Our partnership with HORIVISTA is a powerful step in this direction, opening new doors for entrepreneurs from both the UAE and China to collaborate, innovate, and tap into dynamic markets. By combining our ecosystems, we can accelerate growth opportunities and create lasting impact."

Sam Sun commented on the significance of this collaboration: "This MoU marks a significant milestone in bridging two vibrant startup ecosystems. Through our collaboration with Sheraa, we look forward to supporting Chinese startups in navigating the UAE’s thriving business landscape while also offering a gateway for Sheraa-backed entrepreneurs into China. Together, we aim to foster a two-way flow of innovation, talent, and investment that drives meaningful cross-border growth."

During the "Make it in the Emirates" forum, Sheraa showcased its comprehensive programmes designed to support founders at every stage of their journey. These include Startup Blueprint for foundational skills and Startup Dojo for developing viable business models. The follow-on program Startup Dojo+ aids founders in validating solutions and preparing for market entry.

Comprehensive Support Programmes

Sheraa's flagship incubator programme is the Sharjah Startup Studio (S3), which helps early-stage startups grow and become investor-ready. The Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC) assists growth-stage startups in co-creating pilot projects with local partners and entering new markets. These initiatives empower founders to transform ambitious ideas into scalable ventures that expand globally from the UAE.

Sheraa continues its mission through strategic partnerships like this one with HORIVISTA. By supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey, Sheraa helps turn innovative ideas into successful global ventures.

With inputs from WAM