Sheraa launches AED 5mln Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), under the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, has launched the Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund on April 24, 2026. The initiative delivers fast-tracked financial, operational, and marketing support to Sharjah-based startups and SMEs, helping founders navigate current market dynamics and sustain business continuity. Priority support will be extended to key sectors such as manufacturing, food security, and healthcare—areas central to economic stability and resilience.
Aligned with the UAE’s “Proud of UAE” campaign, the Fund is part of broader national efforts to reinforce economic resilience and safeguard the progress of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Applications are now open, supported by an accelerated evaluation process to ensure timely decisions and rapid access to resources. The Fund offers equity-free, non-repayable grants, complemented by a comprehensive support program and opportunities to increase market visibility. With backing from strategic partners across both government and private sectors, Sheraa aims to mobilize up to AED 5 million in support for eligible businesses.
Who the Fund Supports
The Fund focuses on established startups and SMEs in Sharjah that are currently facing operational challenges but remain viable and capable of contributing to long-term economic stability. By prioritizing businesses that sustain jobs, strengthen supply chains, and deliver essential services, the initiative is designed to ensure continuity today while enabling growth tomorrow.
What Beneficiaries Receive
- Equity-free, non-repayable grants
- Fast-tracked evaluation and funding decisions
- Tailored programming, including one-on-one advisory sessions, workshops, and office hours
- Strategic business introductions and ecosystem access
- Partner-led resources and software support
- Visibility and marketing opportunities to reach customers and stakeholders
Leadership Insights
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sheraa, said: “Sharjah’s vision, aligned with the broader direction of the UAE, is rooted in building a resilient, future-ready economy driven by innovation and entrepreneurship. Achieving this requires more than long-term ambition; it calls for systems that respond with clarity and purpose, particularly in moments that test continuity and adaptability. At Sheraa, we see our role as ensuring that founders are equipped to navigate change without losing momentum, and to continue building ventures that create lasting economic value. The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund reflects this commitment, providing timely support that enables businesses to remain operational, make informed decisions, and contribute to an ecosystem designed to sustain progress and evolve with confidence.”
H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy & Tourism, said: “The United Arab Emirates, guided by the vision of its wise leadership, continues to advance the entrepreneurship and SMEs sector, strengthening its competitiveness and ensuring its continuity. As a key driver of national economic growth, this sector plays a central role in accelerating the transition toward a more resilient and sustainable economic model. The launch of the Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund is the latest in a series of initiatives introduced by the Emirate of Sharjah to support this vital sector. It reflects a clear commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and startup founders, safeguarding SMEs, and enhancing their resilience, particularly in light of the current challenges facing the region. In doing so, it contributes to strengthening the national entrepreneurship ecosystem, enabling businesses to sustain their operations with confidence and competitiveness, ultimately reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for startups and entrepreneurship.”
H.E. Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, said: “Startups and SMEs are not a footnote to economic resilience, they are its foundation. They sustain employment, anchor supply chains, and continue to build even when conditions demand more of them than before. But a founder’s ability to push forward is never determined by ambition alone. It is shaped by the environment around them, and whether that environment is structured to respond when it matters most. Periods of disruption do not pause the work of building a business, and they cannot be met with hesitation. The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund reflects Sheraa’s conviction that an ecosystem earns its value precisely in these moments, by showing up with the right support, at the right time, in a form that founders can act on. The nation’s economic future is being built today, company by company, decision by decision, and this Fund ensures that the pressure of the present does not determine the potential of what comes next.”
Collaborative Model and Partners
The initiative is delivered through a collaborative framework that brings together public and private sector partners committed to Sharjah’s long-term entrepreneurial growth. The Fund is supported by: Beeah Group, CE-Ventures, National Paints, Al Midfa Investments Group, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Careem, RAKBANK, Floward, Alaan, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority, Sharjah Majid Al Futtaim, Emirates Petroleum Company P.J.S.C, Publicis Groupe, Entrepreneur Middle East, Inc. Arabia, and Paymob.
Building on Sheraa’s Track Record
Since its inception, Sheraa has consistently supported founders through targeted programs, funding initiatives, and ecosystem partnerships. The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund builds on this foundation, giving startups and SMEs the clarity, resources, and speed they need to adapt, maintain momentum, and keep building for the long term.
Get Involved
Applications are open to eligible Sharjah-based startups and SMEs, with a streamlined process to accelerate funding and support. Ecosystem partners and stakeholders are also invited to join the Fund and contribute to a collective effort that sustains viable businesses and strengthens the broader economy.
