Sheraa and Alserkal Cultural Foundation Sign MoU

Special to TAG Educa News Agency

SHARJAH - Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center) entered into a strategic alliance with Alserkal Cultural Foundation in a bid to promote and support artistic talent and innovative ventures related to design and culture. 
The MoU was signed by Najla Al-Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa and Ahmed bin Eisa bin Nasser Al Serkal, Chairman of Al Serkal Cultural Foundation. 

As part of the collaboration, Sheraa and Alserkal Cultural Foundation will hold joint events and campaigns to attract entrepreneurial talent from the country’s creative fields, and support communities to usher in new waves of locally conceived ventures. 

Najla Al-Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa, said: “The United Arab Emirates has a rich repository of young talent in the fields of design, arts, literature, photography, filmmaking and a wide range of other activities that deepen a community’s soul and character. Artists and their works are integral for spurring meaningful dialogue between diverse people and diversifying the country’s economy. This also reflects a holistic approach towards nation-building.”

She added: “Sheraa is dedicated towards giving the youth a platform to harness their unique skills and exhibit their talent whilst increasing their reach through scalable enterprises. This is also in line with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda to preserve the nation’s unique heritage and create happy and healthy societies.” 

Ahmed bin Eisa bin Nasser Al Serkal, Chairman of Al Serkal Cultural Foundation, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Sheraa and expand our efforts in inspiring young talent. The UAE is well positioned to become a beacon of inspiration in the region’s artistic and culture landscape. The youth play a crucial role in achieving our objectives and contributing towards the creation of a healthy society that experiences well-rounded development.”

The strategic collaboration comes on the heels of Sheraa’s inaugural accelerator program, where it launched ten start-ups catering to the industries of ‘sharing economy’, video gaming, Arabic content, handicraft, Food and Beverage (F&B), energy and skill development. With this association, Sheraa is now geared towards strengthening opportunities in arts and design, and making the entrepreneurial landscape of the country more vibrant and diverse than ever before. 

Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center) was launched in January 2016, under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi - Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) - to provide a launch pad for aspiring young entrepreneurs in the UAE. Sheraa's state-of-the-art co-working facility is housed at the American University of Sharjah, and hosts a thriving community of students and ambitious entrepreneurs. 

Sheraa – ‘Sail’ in Arabic - inspires youth to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, and empowers them to navigate through the processes of launching a business, transforming them from job seekers to job creators in the United Arab Emirates and the wider region. 

It runs the country’s first university-based ‘accelerator’ program, offering a mentorship-driven, three-month entrepreneurship boot camp to support teams that demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and courage. The hands-on accelerator also provides seed-funding, strategic mentorship by industry professionals and a suite of other competitive benefits. 

It successfully unveiled 10 startups through the inaugural flagship accelerator, which is conceived in the center’s expansive co-working space where creativity is fostered in an exuberant environment. Also amongst its initiatives is an ‘academy’ that equips students with 21st century industry skills to bridge the skills gap.