Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 Set to Inspire with Community and Innovation

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is gearing up for its ninth edition, and judging by what’s been shared publicly so far, SEF 2026 is shaping into one of those gatherings where you almost feel the energy before you even step through the door. It’s set for 31 January to 1 February at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, and organisers expect more than 14,000 people to show up — founders, investors, students, creatives, the whole lot. I’ve seen a few big festivals across the region over the years, and this one has a habit of pulling in crowds who genuinely want to learn, not just roam around for freebies… you know?

This edition carries the theme “Where We Belong,” which feels spot on for a festival that mixes ambition with community spirit. SEF always leans into storytelling — sometimes a bit sentimental, sure, but it works — and this year the workshops seem especially focused on the hands-on side of building something from scratch. SEF Academy, SEF Eats and the Expression Zone will anchor most of that learning, offering everything from practical startup know-how to creative breaks that remind people they’re not machines. At Arageek, we’ve bumped into many founders who burn out far too early, so seeing wellbeing woven into the programme is, I reckon, a clever move.

The SEF Academy agenda dives straight into the guts of entrepreneurship. One workshop explores geolocation data and how to turn it into profit, led by Isaias Thomas Biju. The timing makes sense: the geospatial analytics market is forecast to blow past USD 226 billion by 2030, and Gulf-based startups are only just starting to scratch the surface. Another session tackles team building, hosted by Jessy Abraham, who focuses on how even talented founders can stumble if they hire in a rush. Considering research suggests nearly a quarter of failed startups blame team issues, it’s hardly a trivial topic.

There’s also a more candid workshop by Lauren Hamilton from RideSkipper, looking at the messy emotional side of launching a business. She focuses on resilience — not the glossy LinkedIn kind, but the stuff people usually learn the hard way. A study she references notes that half of 400 surveyed founders feel stressed or anxious most of the week. Honestly, that didn’t surprise me; I’ve had my own moments covering early-stage teams where everyone was running on fumes. On the flip side, it’s refreshing to see a festival acknowledging those pressures rather than pretending entrepreneurship is all hustle and glory.

Meanwhile, SEF Eats and the Expression Zone add a softer contrast. These areas explore the social and cultural layers of entrepreneurship — cooking sessions, craft-based workshops, nature-inspired activities. It may sound like a bit of a faff to some, but believe it or not, these pockets of calm often spark the best conversations. One founder once told me over a food workshop at a past SEF that slowing down for an hour helped her rethink a product she’d been stuck on for months. Moments like that are what keep these festivals from becoming just another business conference.

With more than 300 speakers, business leaders and investors expected, SEF 2026 looks set to continue its role as one of the region’s anchor events for anyone building or backing new ventures. Whether people come for the strategy sessions or simply to feel part of something bigger, the festival has carved out its own identity — practical, community-minded, and, well… definately ambitious.

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