SHARJAH — It’s no secret that the startup bug is biting earlier these days, and the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) is leaning right into it. The festival has officially rolled out “Sharjah’s Little Founders” (SLF), a fresh initiative that’s all about getting kids comfortable with business concepts before they even hit their teens. Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), this dedicated zone is built specifically for youth aged 7 to 12, giving them a rare chance to pitch real solutions in a room full of actual industry players.
For anyone watching the ecosystem here, this feels like a natural next step for Sheraa. It’s not just about supporting existing businesses anymore; it’s a clear signal that Youth Empowerment Sharjah is playing the long game, nurturing that entrepreneurial mindset while these kids are still in school.
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Cultivating the Next Generation of Innovators
Sharjah’s Little Founders isn’t just a side attraction; it’s one of the 10 core zones at SEF 2026. The goal here is to move away from passive watching and get these kids actually doing—guiding them through the messy, exciting stages of building something from scratch, from that first lightbulb moment to taking the lead.
Her Excellency Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, put it best when she talked about the bigger picture behind the launch.
“Entrepreneurship is a journey that begins with curiosity and confidence at an early age,” Al Nuaimi noted. “By further diversifying SEF’s curated zones to include Sharjah’s Little Founders, we are thoughtfully creating a space for young minds to explore ideas, build problem-solving skills, and engage with entrepreneurship in an accessible and inspiring way.”
Competition Details and Prizes
If you think your child has what it takes, applications for the inaugural cohort are already open. Judges are going to be looking for the top 10 applicants, and honestly, the perks are pretty impressive for a first-time launch:
- Exhibition Space: They get their own booth in the SLF zone to show off their work.
- Mentorship: Access to a prep workshop at SEF 2026 to sharpen their skills.
- The Pitch: A 5-minute spot on stage, plus a Q&A with the judges (which is great practice for the real world).
The stakes are real, too. The overall winner of the Pitch Competition walks away with AED 10,000 and a family staycation at a Shurooq property. Even if they don’t take top prize, three others get trophies, and everyone gets a certificate—so nobody leaves empty-handed.
Festival Context and Key Dates
As for the festival itself, SEF 2026 is returning for its ninth run with the theme “Where We Belong,” taking over the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). We’re expecting a massive turnout—somewhere around 14,000 attendees and 300 speakers—so the energy is going to be high.
Here is what you need to mark on the calendar:
- Event: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026)
- Dates: January 31 – February 1, 2026
- Application Deadline for SLF: January 18, 2026
- Venue: SRTIP (SPARK)
Applications are live right now on the SEF website. If you’re a parent, I’d suggest getting that registration in sooner rather than later—January 18 is coming up fast, and you don’t want to miss the chance to get your kids involved in the startup culture blooming right here in Sharjah.
