Global leaders, CEOs, investors to lead Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival has unveiled the first lineup of speakers for its ninth edition, featuring prominent founders, CEOs, investors, creatives and thought leaders from around the world, as part of a distinguished global roster of more than 300 participants.

Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship centre (Sheraa), SEF 2026 will take place from 31st January to 1st February at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park. The two-day festival will bring together entrepreneurs, professionals, investors and emerging talent for discussions focused on building, scaling and sustaining businesses in a rapidly evolving global economy.

The newly announced speakers represent diverse sectors including technology, foodtech, health, lifestyle, sports and social innovation, reflecting the festival’s cross-sector approach to entrepreneurship and innovation.

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said the festival aims to break silos and foster knowledge exchange across disciplines, noting that entrepreneurship today requires adaptability, collaboration and a deep understanding of human and market needs.

The speaker lineup includes Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One World Champion, who will address sustainability and social responsibility; Ghanim Al-Muftah, entrepreneur and disability rights advocate; Heather Hasson, Co-CEO of FIGS and the first female Co-CEO to lead a company through an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange; and Shahzad Younas, Founder and CEO of Muzz.

Also participating are Hamad Al Hajri, Co-Founder and CEO of Snoonu; Vadim Fedotov, Founder of Bioniq; Amna Al Qubaisi, the first Emirati female racing driver in international single-seater competitions; Souad Al Serkal, Founder and CEO of CommCation Consultancy; Tom Hale, CEO of ŌURA; Ahmed Al Rawi, Founder of Calo; Simran Kaur, Founder of Friends That Invest; and Kareem Esmail, Founder and CEO of Mental Health Hub for Learning and Development.

SEF 2026 is expected to attract around 14,000 attendees, offering a platform for dialogue, collaboration and practical insight aimed at empowering startups, professionals and graduates to contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Meanwhile, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD) announced that the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES” will feature this year more than 200 projects by major property development and investment companies from across the UAE.

The announcement was made during a press conference held today, Wednesday, at the Sharjah Chamber’s headquarters, in the presence of Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI, and Abdulaziz Rashid Al Saleh, Director of SRERD.

Also present were Saeed Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Chairman of the Representative Committee of the Real Estate Sector Business Group at SCCI and Chairman of the Organising Committee of ACRES; Nawaf Obeid, CEO of Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES”; Salem Ali Al Ghaithi, Director of the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority; Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI; Engineer Raymond Khouzami, Vice Chairman of Al Thuriah Group, ACRES Platinum Sponsor; Khalifa Sultan Bin Harib, General Manager at Al Rasikhoon Real Estate, ACRES Gold Sponsor.

The press conference was also attended by Sultan Al Bah, Public Relations Officer at Expo Sharjah, the ACRES exhibition host and sponsor, as well as senior officials and representatives from governmental, private, media, and academic partner entities.

Rolling out new and groundbreaking real estate projects The Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition “ACRES” is the largest real estate platform in the UAE, spanning over 10,000 square meters and drawing over 15,000 visitors and investors annually from across the country and abroad.

Each year, the exhibition features the launch of several innovative property projects and high-value developments making their market debut in the UAE, in addition to key investment opportunities, including residential properties, commercial plots, and industrial lands, both completed and under construction.

ACRES brings together leading real estate developers, brokerage firms, banks, financial institutions, project and property management companies, government entities, and specialised real estate technology and insurance providers, all offering exclusive promotions to be launched during the exhibition.

Visitors have a unique opportunity to explore the latest real estate and investment projects and benefit from preferential discounts, flexible payment plans, and tailored advisory and financing services. The exhibition also offers an integrated platform that facilitates direct deal-making and networking among major property investors and developers and key industry stakeholders.

WAM