Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), a launch pad for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the UAE, has partnered with Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) to support and empower its accelerator teams in their bid to create a successful commercial enterprise.

Sheraa is located in the American University of Sharjah (AUS) campus.

Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) will be providing the accelerator teams with a discounted two-year free zone license under their name so that they can operate their newly formed enterprises with the Sheraa headquarters as their office premises, said a statement from the centre.

Najla Al Midfa, general manager of Sheraa, said: “The initial days of a new enterprise is a crucial period for young entrepreneurs and they need all the support that they can get to make sure they have a strong launch pad for success.”

“Our collaboration with SAIF Zone is an important step in this direction and gives our accelerator teams a great platform with the free zone license in order to move ahead quickly with their operations to reach out to customers,” she said.

Al Midfa added: “Having the backing of SAIF Zone is significant and we greatly appreciate their involvement in helping our accelerator teams and encouraging a new generation of youth entrepreneurs from Sharjah.”

Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, director of SAIF Zone and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), said: “SAIF Zone is privileged to be collaborating with Sheraa in creating an ‘ecosystem’ for youth entrepreneurship in the UAE.”

“Harnessing entrepreneurial talents among young people will help unleash their potential and lead to greater employment generation and inclusive growth for the economy as a whole,” he said.

“By recognising the unique needs of aspiring young entrepreneurs, and thereby stimulating economic independence of young people, the agreement also constitutes a new framework to support and spur the growth of SMEs in the region,” he added.

“It will further promote public-private sector collaboration and attain the desired goals for creating a new generation of investors, accelerators and entrepreneurs capable of participating in SME development activities in the country,” he concluded.

The accelerator programme is Sheraa’s flagship offering, and the first in the UAE to be located within a university. The impactful three-month curriculum is mentorship-driven, and provides young entrepreneurs with business connections and attractive perks and benefits.

This hands-on idea-to-startup journey, completed under the guidance of seasoned entrepreneurs and Sheraa’s network of corporate partners and investors, gives students and graduates the confidence required to jumpstart their entrepreneurial ambition and helps position their venture’s long-term success, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service