The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative titled ‘Sharjah’s Little Founders’ (SLF), specifically crafted to cultivate entrepreneurial capabilities among children aged 7 to 12. This innovative program represents a strategic expansion of SEF’s commitment to fostering comprehensive entrepreneurial development from childhood through adulthood.
SLF introduces an immersive, age-appropriate educational experience that enables young participants to explore business fundamentals through hands-on learning, creative ideation, and pitch development within an engaging and supportive environment. The initiative forms one of ten specialized zones at SEF 2026, each addressing distinct aspects of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, thereby reinforcing the festival’s status as the region’s premier platform for innovators and future change-makers.
Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa (the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center organizing SEF), emphasized the program’s significance: ‘Entrepreneurship originates from early curiosity and self-assurance. By incorporating Sharjah’s Little Founders into our curated zones, we deliberately create opportunities for young minds to investigate ideas, develop problem-solving capabilities, and interact with entrepreneurial concepts through accessible and inspiring methodologies. SLF demonstrates our commitment to building a genuinely inclusive ecosystem by strategically investing in tomorrow’s innovators.’
The selection process involves online applications from which judges will identify ten exceptional candidates. These selected Little Founders will receive exhibition booths within the SLF zone and participate in preparatory workshops before competing in the main SLF Pitch Competition. Each participant will deliver a five-minute presentation followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with judges.
A grand prize winner will receive AED 10,000 and a family staycation at Shurooq properties, with winners announced during SEF’s closing ceremony. Additionally, three participants will receive special recognition trophies for their booth presentations, while all contributors will obtain certificates of participation.
Prospective applicants can submit entries through the dedicated SLF landing page (https://sharjahslittlefounders.com) until January 18, 2026. The ninth edition of SEF, themed ‘Where We Belong’, will convene from January 31 to February 1 at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), anticipating approximately 14,000 attendees and featuring guidance from 300 industry leaders for startups, professionals, and graduates.