Sheraa Invites UAE Early-Stage Startups to Join Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) Programme

• Applications have been opened by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) to UAE early-stage startups for its Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) program
• The program will assist founders in scaling businesses and overcoming early-stage setbacks
• The participants shall have the benefit of access to experienced mentorship, strategic advice, and customized business assistance

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has invited early-stage UAE startups to apply for its Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) program. The program will help entrepreneurs scale their businesses and is accompanied by an abundance of benefits including mentoring from experienced individuals, access to capital, and software solutions amounting to over AED 3 million.

The founders will be given hands-on training and personalized mentorship, as well as exposure to Sheraa's large network of strategic investors and partners. S3 allows startups to build growth plans, craft personalized business playbooks, and move faster towards expansion in the market earlier on, with an emphasis on strategic areas like EdTech, Sustainability, Advanced Manufacturing, and Creative Industries.

Structured on three pillars of Scaling, Supporting, and Securing, the programme provides holistic support. Under the Scaling pillar, startups are provided with access to Sheraa's Centers of Excellence, where innovation is promoted and business growth is managed. Through the Supporting pillar, founders' investor preparedness and pitch are improved, together with access to strategic investment.

Under the Securing pillar, entrepreneurs are provided with necessary business resources such as workspace solutions and credits towards critical services. As stated by Sheraa CEO Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, S3 is a follow-through on Sheraa's vision to empower entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to develop sustainable businesses and make meaningful contributions to the local and global economy.

The program also brings participants together with seasoned entrepreneurs and sector professionals to make sure those products are ready for the market and scalable. Acknowledging the financing challenges of early-stage businesses, S3 puts high priority on enabling investor connections and strategic business mentorship.

Former cohorts have seen considerable success, scaling their businesses and expanding into new markets with the help of the studio. The record response to the 2024 program—more than 2,300 applications—reflects S3's reputation as a reliable catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship. Thanks to initiatives such as S3, Sheraa continues to establish Sharjah as an active entrepreneurship hub and enhances the UAE's position in innovation-based economic growth.