Applications Open For Sheraa’s Sharjah Startup Studio (S3)

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has opened applications for the latest edition of its Sharjah Startup Studio (S3) program, targeting early-stage, UAE-based startups, with the four-month program designed to support founders in developing and expanding their businesses.

The program will select 20 startups operating within Sheraa’s four priority sectors: edtech, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries. Selected companies will receive access to funding opportunities, specialized mentorship, expert advisory, and software tools valued at over AED3 million (US$816,771). 

In a statement, HE Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said, “Sharjah Startup Studio S3 is a continuation of our commitment to backing entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools, resources, and confidence to scale their businesses. Through this program, we support startups in advancing their current business models and expanding their operations to become key contributors to local, regional, and global economies. By empowering founders, we’re reinforcing Sharjah’s and the UAE’s position as leading hubs for entrepreneurship and innovation on the global stage.” 

Structured around three pillars—"scaling, supporting, and securing"—the program aims to strengthen startups’ operations, guide investment readiness, and provide resources to sustain long-term growth. Through the "scaling" pillar, founders will benefit from Sheraa’s Centers of Excellence and warm partner introductions, helping them improve internal functions, scale teams, and manage growth.

Meanwhile, the "supporting" pillar focuses on investor engagement, pitch preparation, and capital strategy. Under the final "securing" pillar, startups will receive practical tools, including workspace support and credits for essential services. Each startup will also receive 25 in-program credits that can be redeemed for one-on-one mentorship sessions with experts, introductions to partners, and capital access opportunities. These credits are designed to support founders in building momentum toward key growth milestones. 

To ensure consistent progress, the program includes bi-weekly one-on-one sessions between each startup and its assigned experts in residence and Sheraa team members. These check-ins serve to provide targeted guidance and keep founders aligned with their goals. 

Participants will also gain access to a full suite of resources, including co-working spaces, software perks, and exclusive access to customer and investor networks. In addition, startups will engage directly with Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem—showcasing their ventures at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) in February 2026, participating in roadshows and demo days organized by partners, and joining an in-person leadership retreat. 

To be eligible, startups must demonstrate a scalable business model built around tech-enabled solutions, show early customer traction and revenue, have a full-time founder supported by a development team, and show commitment to operating in Sharjah and across the UAE. Founders should also demonstrate openness to feedback and collaboration.  

Applications are open until September 7, 2025. The selected cohort will be announced on October 13, with the program running from October 2025 through February 2026. Interested and eligible startups can apply at startups.sheraa.ae. 

Pictured in the lead image is a scene from a Sheraa program. Image courtesy Sheraa.