SEF launches global search for top startups through Pitch Competition

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) is now accepting applications for its flagship SEF Pitch Competition x 1Tank, issuing a global call to visionary founders ready to present their most ambitious startups on a world stage.

Held during the festival, the competition is a gateway to opportunities; and competing founders will contend for a share of Dhs200,000 in total grants and the potential to secure additional investor funding, all while connecting with the region’s most influential investors and industry leaders.

Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) in partnership with ‘1Tank’; an initiative under the community group ‘1trepreneur’; this initiative underscores Sharjah’s growing prominence as a hub for creativity, sustainable innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence. The competition is centered on four key sectors poised to define the future, namely, EdTech, Sustainability, Creative Industries, and Tech & Industry 4.0. By focusing on these areas, SEF continues its mission to elevate ventures that tackle pressing global challenges and drive meaningful progress.

Commenting on the announcement, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated, “Our strategic vision for the SEF Pitch Competition extends far beyond the initial opportunity and we are intentionally curating a pipeline of high-potential ventures in these four sectors because they represent the foundational pillars of a resilient, knowledge-based, and sustainable future economy. By channelling capital, mentorship, and global networks, the competition supports founders in scaling solutions that deliver meaningful impact. This is core to Sheraa’s mission of advancing purposeful innovation and positioning Sharjah as a hub where solving global challenges goes hand in hand with economic value creation.

Reinforcing this vision, Ehtesham Puthur, Co-Founder of 1trepreneur, added, “1trepreneur is a community built by founders, for founders and 1Tank is our way of giving startups a real platform to pitch, grow, and get funded. We’re proud to join hands with Sheraa once again for 1Tank at SEF. Last year’s winners showed what founders can achieve with the right support, and we’re committed to building on that momentum for the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Impact-driven solutions: Startups from around the world are invited to submit their most innovative and impact-driven solutions. All applications will be reviewed through a rigorous and transparent process, evaluated on their innovation, market potential, feasibility, and societal value. From the pool of global applicants, 16 finalists; four from each sector; will be selected to deliver a live pitch at SEF 2026. Each founder will have three minutes to present their business, followed by 3 miniutes of a Q&A with a panel of expert judges and investors.

Structured around four sectors integral to defining the future economy; the EdTech track seeks solutions that are transforming how people learn, teach, and access education. The Tech & Industry 4.0 track, focuses on startups leveraging advanced technologies like AI and automation to revolutionise industrial processes for greater efficiency and sustainability. For ventures tackling the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges, the Sustainability track, provides a dedicated platform. Finally, the Creative Industries track, is designed for entrepreneurs building solutions that enrich the fields of arts, culture, media, and design.

Each of the four category winners will be awarded an Dhs50,000 grant, in addition to the chance to secure further investment, reflecting Sheraa’s commitment to guiding startups through every stage of their growth.

Applications for the SEF 2026 Pitch Competition x 1Tank will remain open until January 8, 2026; and entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their pitch deck, and their company profile, via the official portal at https://sharjahef.com/. The winners will be unveiled at the festival’s closing ceremony, a fitting culmination to an event that celebrates the resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit shaping our collective future.

Hosted by Sheraa, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is the region’s largest and most influential gathering for innovators, investors, and changemakers. SEF 2026 will continue this legacy, uniting global thought leaders and pioneering entrepreneurs under a shared vision of empowerment, further cementing Sharjah’s role as a catalyst for sustainable growth and positive impact.

Following a record-breaking edition in 2025, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival will return for its ninth edition from 31st January to 1st February 2026 at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park under the theme Where We Belong, celebrating community and belonging as drivers of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The festival is supported by key strategic partners including Emaar Properties, du, Arada, Emirates Petroleum Company – Emarat, Bank of Sharjah and Sharjah Business Women Council. Their contributions will enable the creation of specialised zones addressing every part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, the festival is a central pillar of Sharjah’s strategy to position itself as a global hub for entrepreneurship. It provides a platform that empowers emerging founders, supports economic diversification and strengthens the emirate’s role in the knowledge-based economy.