Abu dhabi: Over 60 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the United Arab Emirates have been selected to receive support from the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre's (Sheraa) Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund (ERF), a fund established to assist startups and SMEs in navigating operational and market challenges. The AED5 million fund combines equity-free grants with tailored programming, expedited funding decisions, and advisory support to help businesses withstand uncertainties and adapt to changing market conditions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the inaugural cycle of the ERF saw applications from more than 330 startups and SMEs across the UAE. Following a rigorous evaluation process, over 60 of these enterprises were chosen to benefit from the financial and in-kind support offered by the fund. This initiative underscores the UAE's commitment to nurturing and sustaining a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem, as evidenced by the nation's top ranking in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025/2026 report and the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026.
Sheraa, since its inception, has been instrumental in propelling over 600 startups forward, assisting founders in raising more than AED1.14 billion in capital. CEO Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi emphasized the ERF's mission to support viable businesses facing short-term pressures, stating that it is about reinforcing the entrepreneurial foundation that contributes to Sharjah's economic diversification and innovation capacity.
The Fund's collaborative model involves partnerships with public- and private-sector entities, highlighting a shared commitment to helping promising businesses navigate uncertain times. It aims to address immediate needs and facilitate business continuity and growth through equity-free grants, mentorship, strategic advisory services, and connections to market opportunities.
The selected startups illustrate a trend among entrepreneurs towards addressing practical challenges with market relevance, such as reducing food waste, enhancing childhood nutrition, and developing sustainable consumer products. This approach reflects a shift in entrepreneurship ecosystems towards enabling businesses to withstand uncertainties and sustain growth over time, contributing to long-term economic impact.