Sharjah: High-level discussions on the startup ecosystem and practical models for economic and social development will anchor the Impact Zone at the 9th Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), with 30 keynote talks and panel discussions led by more than 45 global and regional speakers, drawing world-renowned business leaders, creatives, and changemakers into dialogue with the global entrepreneurial community.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event is organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and the Impact Zone, powered by Arada for the fourth consecutive year, reflects a long-standing partnership rooted in cultivating future-ready communities and ideas. The Zone will feature senior regional and global leaders, including Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR; Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, the UAE's first female minister; HRH Sayyida Dr. Basma Al Said, founder of Whispers of Serenity Clinic; and Sebastian Vettel, four-time Formula One World Champion, among a distinguished roster of policymakers, industry heads, creatives and changemakers.
Reaffirming a strategic partnership to cultivate future-ready communities, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated that the Impact Zone is a core part of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival. It brings together global leaders, changemakers, and innovators from diverse sectors whose perspectives help shape the dialogue around the transformations influencing the future of business and society. The zone provides a practical platform for knowledge exchange and the development of clear directions, supporting more informed decision-making, opening new avenues for collaboration, and reinforcing a long-term development path that places people at the heart of sustainable progress.
Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, commented that the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival has always been a platform for meaningful ideas and real-world solutions. The long-term partnership with Sheraa aligns with Arada's commitment to creating engaged, empowered, and dynamic communities. The calibre of the speakers featured in this year's Impact Zone and the breadth of experience across policy, business, creativity, and sport reflect the high standard of dialogue the festival continues to bring.
Regional well-being and food systems will be considered in 'Building the Future Food Economy', bringing together Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, and Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, to discuss sustainability and long-term food security in the region. The panel of Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi and Muna Al Gurg, Chairperson of the Meem Foundation, will address philanthropy and social development in Sharjah in 'Philanthropy and Impact Investing as the New Model for Sustainable Growth in the Region'.
HRH Sayyida Dr. Basma Al Said will conduct a day-one session titled 'Designing a World That Works for Everyone', informed by her long-standing work in mental health and social systems. Nand Kishore Chaudhary, Founder of Jaipur Rugs, will speak on 'Leading With Goodness: A More Human Way to Build Business'. Drawing lessons from elite sport, Sebastian Vettel's 'High-Performance Under Pressure: F1 Learnings for Today's Entrepreneurs' is bound to be one of the most popular moments of the whole event.
Under the theme, 'Where We Belong', the ninth annual edition of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is scheduled to be held on January 31 and February 1 at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SPARK).