Sheraa Launches Inaugural Deal Dock Connecting 25 Startups with Leading MENA Investors
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) hosted the first edition of its Sheraa Deal Dock event, successfully connecting 25 pre-selected portfolio startups with over 30 prominent regional and international investment firms. The event facilitated over 250 direct meetings focused on driving investment and growth for MENA-based ventures.
Key Details
The inaugural Sheraa Deal Dock took place at Sheraa's new headquarters located within the Sharjah Digital Office (SDO). The event brought together 25 startups from various sectors within Sheraa's portfolio and a curated group of more than 30 investment entities.
Key figures attending and participating included representatives from:
Dubai Future District Fund
Wa'ed Ventures
Nama Ventures
Flat6Labs
Impact46
Saned Fund
MEVP
Arzan VC
And others.
The core format involved 15-minute one-on-one meetings between startups and investors, designed to provide founders with direct access to potential funding and strategic partners. This structure allowed for a high volume of interactions, totaling over 250 dedicated meetings throughout the event.
Facilitating Investment and Growth
The primary goal of the Deal Dock was to directly facilitate investment into Sheraa's portfolio companies and open doors for strategic partnerships. By bringing together startups and investors under one roof, Sheraa aimed to streamline the fundraising process and accelerate growth for participating ventures.
Startups represented diverse sectors, including technology, sustainability, digital innovation, fintech, and food tech, reflecting key areas of focus within the regional ecosystem. Investors present were actively seeking opportunities across these high-growth sectors, offering not just capital but also valuable market access and expertise.
Sheraa's Vision
According to Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, the Sheraa Deal Dock is a crucial step in optimizing the investment landscape for their portfolio startups. She emphasized Sheraa's commitment to building a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem in Sharjah and the wider MENA region. The event underscores Sheraa's role in not only nurturing early-stage companies but also actively connecting them with the resources needed for significant scale and success.
About Sheraa
The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) is a government-backed entity dedicated to building the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah and supporting startups in the MENA region. It provides programs, mentorship, and resources to help founders launch and grow their businesses, focusing on creating impact and fostering innovation.
Looking Ahead
The successful first edition of the Sheraa Deal Dock signals Sheraa's intent to make this a recurring event. The direct engagement model between startups and investors holds promise for significantly boosting investment flow into the region's promising ventures and further solidifying Sharjah's position as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Source: Waya Media