Sheraa Kicks Off Access Sharjah Challenge with EdTech Focus, Starting with Challenge Setting Workshop
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has announced the launch of this year’s Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC), an annual program designed to attract growth-stage startups from around the world to develop innovative solutions for significant challenges. This edition will center on EdTech, and the initiative has commenced with a crucial Challenge Setting Workshop in collaboration with leading partners.
Access Sharjah Challenge Focuses on EdTech for New Edition
Sheraa is once again inviting global innovators to participate in its flagship Access Sharjah Challenge. This year, the program turns its attention to the rapidly evolving Educational Technology (EdTech) sector. The ASC aims to identify and support growth-stage startups with cutting-edge solutions that can address specific needs within this field. The program emphasizes collaboration with key industry partners to ensure real-world impact.
Shaping the Challenge: The Initial Workshop
The current phase of the ASC has kicked off with a Challenge Setting Workshop. This foundational session is dedicated to meticulously shaping meaningful and high-impact challenge statements. By engaging with stakeholders and experts, Sheraa aims to define precise problems within the EdTech landscape that participating startups will later be invited to solve.
About the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC)
The Access Sharjah Challenge is an established annual competition run by Sheraa. It typically invites startups globally to propose and develop solutions for specific sectoral challenges relevant to Sharjah and the wider region. Past editions have focused on diverse areas such as AgriTech, Livestock Health, and Creative Industries, often offering winners significant prizes, proof-of-concept contracts, mentorship, and market access opportunities within Sharjah's dynamic ecosystem.
What to Expect for EdTech Startups
While the current announcement focuses on the initial Challenge Setting Workshop, growth-stage EdTech startups should anticipate a subsequent call for applications. Based on previous ASC cycles, selected startups usually benefit from:
Opportunities to pilot and implement their solutions in Sharjah.
Potential contracts and funding/prizes.
Mentorship from industry experts and Sheraa's network.
Access to market opportunities and key stakeholders in Sharjah and the UAE.
Support through Sheraa's specialized programs and its Centers of Excellence, which include a dedicated EdTech hub.
Sheraa's Commitment to EdTech and Innovation
Sheraa has a strong focus on fostering innovation in key sectors, including EdTech. The organization runs an EdTech Center of Excellence, often in partnership with entities like the Sharjah Private Education Authority, to support startups and drive educational transformation. This edition of the Access Sharjah Challenge further underscores Sheraa's commitment to developing Sharjah as a leading hub for educational technology.
About Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center)
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is a government-supported entity launched in 2016 with a mandate to build a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah. Sheraa empowers entrepreneurs and supports the growth of innovative startups that can contribute positively to the region's economy and societal development, having supported thousands of youth and hundreds of ventures.
Looking Ahead: Call for EdTech Innovators
With the Challenge Setting Workshop underway, EdTech startups globally should keep an eye out for the official call for applications for the Access Sharjah Challenge. This initiative presents a significant opportunity to collaborate with leading partners, pilot solutions in a supportive ecosystem, and contribute to the future of education in the MENA region.
Source: Sheraa