SHARJAH, 24th May, 2024 (WAM) -- The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is showcasing UAE-based solutions crafted by startups within its ecosystem at VivaTech 2024 in Paris, France, being held from 22-25 May 2024.
With the title of Europe’s biggest startup and tech event, VivaTech is renowned as a rendezvous for the world’s brightest minds, talents, and products.
As part of the UAE's first official delegation to the event; led by the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE) and Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of MoE; Sheraa’s participation aims to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), facilitate investment opportunities, and propel economic growth within the nation.
Sheraa's participation aligns with the UAE’s vision to become a leading global destination for entrepreneurship and innovation, and by providing a supportive ecosystem for startups, Sheraa is furthering its goals to nurture the growth of innovative businesses and contribute to the diversification of the UAE’s economy.
Commenting on their role within MoE’s delegation, Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, stated, “This prestigious event provides an unparalleled platform to present Sharjah as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and for our entrepreneurs to showcase their cutting-edge solutions while engaging with international investors, industry leaders, and like-minded innovators from around the world. We are deeply committed to nurturing the growth of startups in Sharjah and empowering them to scale their businesses globally. By participating in VivaTech, we aim to put the spotlight on the incredible talent and potential that exists within our emirate, while also fostering cross-border collaboration and accelerating the growth of our SMEs.”
Participating startups from Sheraa’s ecosystem covered a diverse range of sectors, showcasing innovative solutions in data analytics, ed-tech, food & beverage technology, virtual and augmented reality, sustainability, software development, and IoT technology.
As part of their agenda at VivaTech 2024, the UAE delegation engaged in several enriching activities to foster cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurial growth. Through visiting a number of French and European business incubators, they were able to gain valuable insights into innovative projects while enabling the participating Emirati entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge and expertise in developing small and medium-sized enterprises.
The agenda also included productive meetings between these UAE based SMEs and their French counterparts, joined by a large group of investors and venture capitalists. These interactions aimed to establish fruitful partnerships in emerging economic sectors and cutting-edge technologies, creating new avenues for growth and innovation.
Additionally, the delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with senior officials from French government agencies specialising in entrepreneurship, further strengthening the strategic ties between the UAE and France.