In a celebration of innovation and impact in the entrepreneurial realm, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) has announced the launch of the 2024 SEFFY Awards. These awards, based on nominations, will pay tribute to exceptional startup founders and mentors for their accomplishments within the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Nominations are currently open and will close on January 18, 2024.

The SEFFY Awards, a key component of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, an event spearheaded by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), acknowledge founders and mentors for their remarkable contributions across various fields. The awards encompass four distinct categories, each highlighting a different aspect of entrepreneurial success.

The Techpreneur Award is designed to honor founders who have envisioned the future through their innovative products, services, or strategies. The Social Impact Award commends founders dedicated to fostering positive, lasting change, emphasizing the importance of impact and sustainability.

The Emerging Founder Award shines a light on young, first-time founders who are making waves in the startup scene with their novel ideas and notable achievements. The Outstanding Mentor Award, on the other hand, recognizes mentors who have played a crucial role in steering startups towards success by providing invaluable support and expertise.

Speaking about the upcoming festival, Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, stated, “We have put a great deal of thought and effort into creating a truly immersive and empowering experience for all that will attend SEF 2024. Under our overarching theme of “Our Shared Canvas,” SEF 2024 will encapsulate the essence of collaborative innovation and collective impact; As it serves as a powerful metaphor, illustrating how the diverse strokes of individual and collective efforts come together to create a positive sustainable ecosystem of entrepreneurship.”

All nominations will be meticulously reviewed by experts, with the shortlist of exceptional founders and mentors set to be announced in late January. This marks a significant step in recognizing the best and brightest in the UAE’s startup ecosystem.

The SEFFY Award winners will be unveiled at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, scheduled for February 3rd and 4th, 2024.

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2024, the UAE’s premier entrepreneurship celebration, is adopting an immersive approach for its forthcoming 7th edition, scheduled for February 3-4, 2024. The event will bring together over 150 visionary founders, industry leaders, investors, and budding entrepreneurs. Covering nine specialized areas, it concentrates on key sectors such as technology, creative economy, and sustainability, offering a dynamic platform for networking and innovation.

Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the two-day event promises to engage audiences at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). Under the theme “Our Shared Canvas,” this entrepreneurship celebration promises an immersive experience as SEF 2024 transforms into a hub of ideas and opportunities.

The event features five exclusive zones and four stages. Within these dedicated zones, SEF 2024 will host over 200 activities, including discussions, pitch competitions, performances, creative workshops, and networking sessions between investors and investees.

These specialized areas offer limitless opportunities for entrepreneurial engagement and innovation for the entire ecosystem. They have been strategically designed around key themes of ‘impact,’ ‘founders,’ ‘community,’ and ‘creativity,’ providing founders, VCs, tech leaders, investors, aspiring entrepreneurs, and ecosystem enablers with a vibrant platform to connect, learn, brainstorm, and discover the next big opportunity.