The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) is set to elevate entrepreneurial education through an extensive program of applied masterclasses scheduled for January 31 to February 1 at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). Now in its ninth edition, the festival anticipates welcoming over 14,000 global participants, including founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from across the region and beyond.
Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) under the theme ‘Where We Belong,’ SEF 2026 establishes the SEF Academy as a cornerstone initiative designed to provide practical, skill-driven learning experiences. These masterclasses address critical entrepreneurial challenges through instruction from regional and international experts across three primary domains: venture fundamentals, technological implementation, and creative growth strategies.
The financial literacy curriculum includes ‘Demystifying the Mechanics of Equity Fundraising,’ which offers practical guidance on capital tables and investor readiness, while ‘Money Mastery 101’ focuses on personal and business financial management. Additional sessions analyze consumer spending patterns to enhance commercial decision-making capabilities.
Technology-focused modules feature ‘Artificial Intelligence Automation for Businesses,’ exploring AI applications for customer engagement and operational efficiency, alongside ‘Building Your AI Workflow for Storytelling and Creativity,’ which demonstrates AI integration into content production processes. These sessions emphasize practical implementation rather than theoretical experimentation.
The program also addresses personal development through ‘Personal Branding for Founders,’ which assists entrepreneurs in crafting authentic narratives, and ‘From Fear to Confidence: The 90-Minute Speaking Transformation,’ designed to enhance high-stakes communication skills.
Creative professionals benefit from specialized offerings including hands-on photowalk sessions using both DSLR cameras and mobile devices, alongside ‘AI Prompt Engineering for Creatives’ and ‘How to Make a Full-Time Income with a Part-Time Audience,’ which reframes audience development as sustainable business growth.
This comprehensive educational initiative reflects Sharjah’s ongoing commitment to fostering entrepreneurship through practical skill development, technological adoption, and creative innovation within the regional startup ecosystem.