Sheraa connects UAE-based tech founders with network of Emirati angel investors

Nine startups under the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) have forged connections with UAE-based investors at the Emirates Angels Open Day networking session, organised in partnership with nonprofit Emirates Angels Investors Association at the House of Wisdom.

The event was designed to facilitate access to investments and connections to grow and fund their innovative ventures.

Sheraa’s startup founders operate in a cross-section of industries, including AI, healthcare, agri-tech, F&B, and wellness. The matchmaking opportunity enabled the angel-stage startups to benefit from the resources and expertise of Sheraa’s network of investors.

Impact-driven community of changemakers

Addressing the community of founders, investors and stakeholders at the event, Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, said that the vision to build the startup ecosystem in Sharjah six years ago by fostering innovation and growth opportunities led to the growth of 114 startups raising $87 million in investments and $130 million in revenue over a five-year period.

“Building on Sheraa’s founder-first philosophy, we are committed to supporting the groundbreaking visions of our founders by connecting them with passionate investors and industry players in the region to raise investment to scale and build sustainable ventures. Facilitating their access to capital and support at the stage of growth when it is needed the most, makes the biggest difference in the entrepreneurial journey of our founders,” Al Midfa added.

Lauding the Emirates Angels community for bridging the gaps in angel-stage investment in the UAE and for being “true examples of leaders and enablers in the ecosystem”, the Sheraa CEO said: “Every founder present today has unique qualities that makes them successful – they have big ambitions, are passionate about the ideas they are working on; and have demonstrated the qualities of resilience in navigating the challenges during the pandemic.”

Supportive angel investor networks

— muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com