SBWC launches new business hub to support women entrepreneurs

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) has launched a new business hub in Al Mamsha, Sharjah, to support women entrepreneurs and business owners through networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration opportunities.

The new space was unveiled during an open gathering organised by the council in the presence of Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBWC, alongside board members and business leaders.

Participants were introduced to the services and initiatives offered in the new space, designed to serve as a hub for women entrepreneurs and business owners in Sharjah and the UAE.

The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among council members, support the growth of women-led businesses, and expand their presence within the local economy.

During the event, the council also launched the “Haseelah” initiative, an interactive platform that connects women entrepreneurs and business owners with experts, entrepreneurs, and influential figures from the UAE and abroad.

The initiative aims to provide practical mentorship, facilitate the exchange of expertise, expand professional networks, and connect participants with services and entities that support business growth and long-term sustainability.

“Many entrepreneurs and business owners have strong ideas, but the challenge is turning those ideas into sustainable businesses. This space is designed to help businesswomen connect, exchange experiences, and access practical knowledge to support clearer, more confident decision-making,” Sheikha Hind said.

She added, “We believe collaboration plays an important role in helping women-led businesses grow. By creating a supportive professional environment, we aim to strengthen connections between entrepreneurs and support the wider presence of women-led businesses in the local economy.”

The event also featured an interactive workshop, where participants revisited their business ideas and projects through a more practical lens. Discussions focused on the clarity of each concept, target audiences, the value the project offers, and the next actionable step.

The workshop included group discussions, exercises, and real-life scenarios that helped participants move from broad ideas to an initial roadmap identifying priorities, required resources, strengths, and gaps to address before launching or expanding their businesses.

Meanwhile, the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) marked a strong presence at the ninth edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026), reinforcing its commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening Sharjah’s startup ecosystem.

Through the Made in Sharjah zone at SEF, supported by SBWC, Bank of Sharjah and Alef, the council contributed to advancing dialogue on women-led enterprises, local innovation and sustainable business growth. Its participation included an interactive pavilion connecting founders and creatives with SBWC’s programmes and support services.

Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council, said the council’s participation reflects its mission to enable women to lead, innovate and scale with confidence, highlighting the impact of collaboration in shaping a future-ready economy.

SBWC showcased six council members whose businesses reflect Sharjah’s creative and entrepreneurial identity. The platform highlighted innovation, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial excellence through women-led ventures across multiple sectors.

Featured participants included Enabled, a consultancy specialising in disability inclusion and accessibility; Bulbul, an education technology platform focused on spoken Arabic and cultural fluency; and The Fashion Incubator, a fashion technology platform providing real-time costing intelligence for manufacturers. Also participating was Illuminos, a marketing and communications agency offering digital, public relations and AI-driven solutions.

Additional council members included By SHHK from the luxury bukhoor and fragrance sector, and THS – The Hidden Spot, representing the food and beverage sector.

SBWC’s pavilion provided festival visitors with insights into its flagship initiatives, membership benefits and support programmes, offering guidance, mentorship and access to growth opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Through its participation at SEF 2026, SBWC reaffirmed its role in supporting women’s economic empowerment and advancing a more inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah.

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) marked 2025 as a year of greater scale and deeper impact, reinforcing its role as an integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports women entrepreneurs from early-stage ideation through to global market access.

WAM