Sheraa And Du Collaborate To Empower Next-Generation Startups With Technical Expertise And Market Access

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and du, a prominent telecom and digital services provider, have formalised their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at GITEX Global 2024. This event, renowned as the largest AI and tech gathering globally, is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14-18 October. The agreement aims to foster mutual knowledge exchange and joint initiatives in Sharjah and beyond.

The partnership will enhance Sheraa’s Centres of Excellence (CoE) by integrating du’s technical support into its programs. This collaboration seeks to strengthen Sharjah's entrepreneurship ecosystem by providing tailored support to startups. The focus will be on four key sectors: sustainability, advanced manufacturing, creative industries, and EdTech. These efforts aim to accelerate growth for mentee startups in these priority areas.

du will contribute to capacity building through workshops and mentorship sessions for Sheraa's incubation programs. Additionally, they will assist startups in accessing new markets and networks. Fahad Al Hassawi, CEO of du, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's potential. He stated that they are committed to empowering Sharjah's entrepreneurial ecosystem by integrating technology and expertise.

Sheraa is showcasing four startups at the du Pavilion during Expand North Star 2024. These startups represent Sheraa’s focus sectors under the CoE. They will engage with potential investors, industry leaders, and partners to further accelerate their growth. This initiative highlights Sheraa’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs in shaping Sharjah’s future priority sectors.

Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi emphasised the importance of this collaboration in achieving Sheraa's vision. She noted that connecting startups with resources, partners, and market insights is crucial for driving impactful growth. The partnership with du provides technological support and market access that will help scale businesses effectively.

The MoU was signed at the Sharjah Pavilion at GITEX by Fahad Al Hassawi and Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi. Sheikh Saud bin Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi witnessed this significant agreement. It establishes a framework for collaboration between Sheraa and du to launch joint initiatives across the UAE and the broader region.

This strategic alliance underscores Sheraa's mission to empower successive generations of founders through strategic initiatives. By focusing on capacity building and mentorship, Sheraa aims to launch successful ventures that create lasting impact in their respective fields.

The collaboration between Sheraa and du reinforces Sharjah’s position as a regional leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. By providing cutting-edge technological support, they enable founders to build ventures that succeed while making a lasting impact on society.

With inputs from WAM