SEF 2026 to Feature Khabib Nurmagomedov, Global Business Leaders

Sharjah: The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) is set to return for its ninth edition, featuring a diverse lineup of over 300 global leaders in business, culture, technology, and sport. This year's festival aims to bring together influential entrepreneurial voices from around the world. According to Emirates News Agency, the headline speakers for SEF 2026 include Khabib Nurmagomedov, the retired UFC mixed martial artist who has transitioned into an entrepreneur; Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Chairman of Alsara Group and Bidayat; Mounaz Abdel Raouf, Co-founder of Okhtein; Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group; Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet's 'X moonshot factory'; Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises; Kartik Renjen, Head of Startups at AWS; and Anas Bukhash, founder of Bukhash Brothers, among other notable industry leaders and innovators. Khabib Nurmagomedov will feature in an in-conversation session titled 'The Making of a Champion: What it Takes to be Undefeated,' m oderated by Anas Bukhash. This session will highlight Khabib's journey from elite sport to entrepreneurship and mentorship, resonating with the festival's themes of discipline, leadership, and long-term thinking. SEF 2026 will also present discussions with Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Mounaz Abdel Raouf, and Patrick Chalhoub on how luxury, identity, creativity, and commerce are influencing the emergence of region-born global brands. Mo Gawdat will address how human potential and technological advancement can be bridged to create impactful ventures. Kartik Renjen's session, 'What's Next for AI Startups in MENA,' will explore emerging opportunities for founders in one of the world's fastest-growing innovation ecosystems. Badr Jafar will provide insights into enterprise at scale, examining how organizations are evolving in response to global challenges and interconnected markets. SEF 2026, themed 'Where We Belong,' will be held on January 31 and February 1 at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SP ARK). Organised by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), the festival will bring together founders, investors, creatives, policymakers, and industry leaders for two days of dialogue. With an anticipated audience of 14,000 attendees, SEF continues to serve as a platform where entrepreneurship intersects with culture, leadership, and ingenuity, fostering the exchange of knowledge across markets.