12 startups shortlisted for Access Sharjah Challenge

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has unveiled the 12 shortlisted startups for the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC) 2025, selected from over 4,600 applications representing more than 90 countries.

This year’s edition introduces two dedicated tracks: Future-Ready Skills, in collaboration with the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and Arabic in Early Childhood, in collaboration with the Sharjah Education Academy.

Both tracks aim to advance Arabic language learning and equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the future job market.

In the Future-Ready Skills track, the shortlisted startups are Edlytica, Evolve Careers, Certify Me, Peekapak, ProjoTech, and Skills Builder. The Arabic in Early Childhood track features Lamsa, Little Thinking Minds, Hodhud, eduTechnoz, arabee, and Jana Reading.

Collectively, these ventures represent a powerhouse of innovation, reaffirming ASC’s mission to champion startups that are reshaping the future of education and creating measurable, lasting impact.

Spanning both international and regional innovators, the 12 ventures offer bold solutions ranging from personalized learning platforms and interactive digital content to advanced skills-building technologies. Their diversity reflects the spirit of ASC, bridging global talent with Sharjah’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem to co-create scalable solutions that redefine how knowledge is delivered and experienced.

The twelve selected startups will take part in a Startup Readiness Sprint, a two-day intensive programme designed to prepare the shortlisted ventures for a successful PoC collaboration. The sprint covers Sharjah’s education ecosystem, pilot-focused pitching, and practical AMA simulations to ensure startups are fully equipped for their upcoming pilots.

Pitch Day: The programme will culminate in a Pitch Day on September 9, where participating startups will pitch their solutions to a panel of strategic partners and education experts. Two startups, one from each track, will be selected to move into the PoC implementation phase, which will run from late September 2025 through January 2026. Each winning solution will receive a pilot contract of Dhs250,000 to support implementation and scale its impact. In addition, the selected startups will gain access to collaboration opportunities with key stakeholders in Sharjah’s education ecosystem.

Now in its seventh edition, the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC) has grown into a flagship global initiative led by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa). Designed to attract and empower startups from around the world, ASC provides a unique platform for entrepreneurs to pilot and scale innovative solutions that address pressing sectoral challenges, with Sharjah serving as a launchpad to the wider region.

Commenting on the launch of the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC) , Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said: “We believe that meaningful innovation is defined by its ability to create real impact and expand access to learning. The Access Sharjah Challenge 2025 offers a dynamic platform where forward-thinking ideas converge with strategic ambition, enabling the transformation of promising concepts into scalable, real-world educational solutions. Through this initiative, we aim to enrich an already vibrant learning ecosystem, offering educators and students renewed opportunities to embrace tools and technologies that nurture lifelong learning and spark intellectual curiosity.”

She added: “Sharjah today stands out for its thriving educational ecosystem, backed by advanced digital infrastructure and strong collaboration between government and private sectors. This solid foundation positions the emirate as a leader in reimagining the future of education. The Access Sharjah Challenge is an open invitation to the world’s most innovative education startups to help shape an inclusive, agile, and future-ready learning model, built from within a community that champions creativity and innovation.” Ali Al Hosani, Director General of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), emphasised the importance of the Authority’s participation in the Sharjah Gateway Challenge. Through its presence, the Authority seeks to contribute to building an informed and empowered society grounded in knowledge and science. He noted that innovation is no longer an option; it has become the cornerstone of supporting sustainable development, shaping the future, and strengthening the country’s competitive position on the global stage.