AED700,000 in funding up for grabs at Sharjah’s startup competition

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2025 has launched the highly anticipated SEF x 1Tank Startup Pitch Competition, offering a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs worldwide. With AED 200,000 in grants up for grabs and investor funding opportunities of up to AED 500,000, this competition is poised to be a game-changer for startups across key industries. But that's not all—winners will also score free flights, courtesy of Air Arabia.

The competition is focused on four cutting-edge tracks: EdTech, Sustainability, Creative Industries, and Tech & Industry 4.0. Ambitious innovators are invited to present their solutions for some of the most pressing global challenges. Whether your startup is revolutionising education, driving sustainability, sparking creativity, or pushing the boundaries of technology, this is your moment to shine.

How to participate?

Interested applicants have until January 26, 2025, to submit their pitch decks, company profiles, and a brief video introduction via SEF Pitch Track. After reviewing the submissions, a prestigious panel of judges and investors will shortlist 16 startups, four from each track. These selected finalists will then have three minutes to pitch their groundbreaking ideas live at SEF 2025, followed by a Q&A session, where they will face an audience of influential leaders and potential investors.

Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), this year’s competition is in collaboration with 1Tank, an initiative under the 1trepreneur community group. This partnership aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing startups with a platform to pitch their ideas directly to investors, with the potential to secure immediate funding.

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, expressed her excitement for the competition:

"This competition cultivates a new generation of exceptional entrepreneurs who dare to challenge the status quo. It reflects our vision at Sheraa to empower innovative thinkers and transform industries, showcasing Sharjah as a global hub for entrepreneurship."

Jimmy James, co-founder of 1trepreneur, added,

“Partnering with Sheraa amplifies our shared commitment to innovation. By uniting our efforts, we’re giving aspiring entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to turn their ideas into impactful realities.”

What’s at stake?

The competition is set to offer more than just grants—each track will award AED 50,000 to the winner, providing a critical boost for startups in their early stages. The pitch event at SEF 2025, scheduled for February 1-2, 2025, will also feature over 300 renowned speakers representing a diverse range of industries. It will unfold across 10 curated zones and five dynamic stages, offering invaluable networking and learning opportunities for all attendees.