Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) is calling on UAE-based female founders to make the most of one of the biggest opportunities it presents annually to connect female tech entrepreneurs to the UAE’s and the world’s dynamic ecosystem opportunities.

Women-led startups, who send in their applications to SBWC before August 31, stand to benefit from a fully-sponsored participation opportunity in the upcoming edition of Expand North Star 2023, which is a platform inspired by the World’s largest and best rated tech event, GITEX Global.

SBWC, the leading Sharjah-based entity, has been making remarkable strides in women’s full integration in the economy, particularly empowering women’s ventures in non-traditional sectors like technology, AI, and others. 8 talented and impact-driving women founders will be selected to stage their talent, ideas and impact at the world’s largest event for startups and investors to be hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy from October 15 - 18 at Dubai Harbour.

Startups sponsored by SBWC will also automatically enter the world’s biggest startup pitch competition - the Supernova Challenge Pitch Competition, and compete with the world’s leading tech startups to win cash prizes up to $200,000. The Supernova Challenge, organised in cooperation with the world’s third-largest fund for financing SMEs, is the biggest pitch competition in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia that celebrates groundbreaking innovations by ESG and sustainability startups.

The Council has also continued its support for women entrepreneurs by returning to the event as the official partner for the ‘Women in Tech’ category for the sixth consecutive year, sponsoring the prize of up to $10,000 for the best female-led start-up.

“Expand North Star is a truly one-of-its-kind platform that brings the world together to connect the most ambitious and forward thinking startups with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable global investors. Through our previous participations at the event, SBWC has opened new doors of opportunity and success for several female-owned and led ventures across the UAE, and I call on all women who are driving change in the technology sectors through their ideas and innovations to seize this opportunity we are providing”, noted Mariam Rashid Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC.

“Innovations, products and ideas showcased by the eight female-led startups stand to benefit from the calibre of attention of global companies, suppliers and investors that is attracted only by this particular event, once a year. Participants will explore meaningful and profitable partnership opportunities to drive forward their projects to new levels of success.” she added.

Across four days Expand North Star will present some of the world’s best startups from over 100 countries, welcome 1000 VCs to raise funds and scout for their portfolio, and deliver unprecedented content program debating the big stories of 2023.

Applicants need to be SBWC members. Non-members must apply for membership to be eligible for sponsorship. The start-up must be UAE-based, founded or co-founded by a woman entrepreneur and operating for under 5 years in the technology sector.

To submit your application for Expand North Star 2023, women-led startups can register using the following form: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/v6CsM0

Holistic well-being: Despite the lingering stigma surrounding mental health, the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) is actively changing this reality by upskilling and empowering female business owners and entrepreneurs who are introducing incredible resilience-building products and tech-driven solutions to boost the mental, emotional and holistic well-being of members of the community.

SBWC has over 2000 members in Sharjah, the UAE and beyond. The council is dedicated to supporting its members in turning their business and entrepreneurial ideas into successful, profitable businesses and start-ups in over 35 diverse market sectors, including non-traditional sectors like agritech, food security, STEM solutions, tech and innovation, and mental health, to name a few.

The Barakah Studio - the first-of-its-kind space for focusing on the body and mind designed exclusively for women in Sharjah - was Bashayer Al Obeidli’s response to Covid-19. Since its opening in 2020, the studio has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of women, allowing them to focus on themselves and embrace holistic wellbeing through the practice of yoga, pilates, barre and other wellness therapies in a free, open and calming space.

For Dr Muna Obaid Aldhabbah, the visionary behind Hala Jary, her social neighbourhood network application was a response to the apprehension and unfamiliarity experienced by individuals moving into new areas. By leveraging shared interests and mindsets, Hala Jary connects and matches people within their neighbourhoods, fostering vibrant interactions, networking opportunities, and long-lasting friendships.