Sharjah: The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has opened applications for the seventh edition of the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC), focusing on the education sector for this year's competition.
According to Emirates News Agency, ASC 2025 aims to empower global startups offering innovative learning solutions that align with the UAE's National Strategy for Higher Education 2030. The challenge boasts a prize pool of AED500,000 and is open to education-focused startups with validated prototypes and a track record of corporate or government collaboration. Applications are being accepted until 17th August.
Two winners will receive AED250,000 each in equity-free grants to trial their solutions across four educational institutions in Sharjah: Alsedra Private School, Khalifah Al Hamzah American School, Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School, and Al Badee Nursery. Sheraa organizes the challenge in collaboration with the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and Sharjah Education Academy (SEA).
This year's challenge addresses two priority areas: the Future-Ready Skills Challenge, which focuses on equipping students with essential digital and foundational skills, and the Arabic in Early Childhood Challenge, aiming to instil a deep connection with the Arabic language from an early age. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated that the initiative reflects Sharjah's strategic commitment to education.
Ali Al Hosani, Director-General of SPEA, emphasized the authority's role in shaping the Future-Ready Skills Challenge, highlighting innovation as crucial in supporting sustainable development. Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy, Chancellor of SEA, discussed the Arabic Language in Early Childhood challenge's goal to empower teachers and involve families in creating vibrant learning environments.
The programme targets startups at the Pre-Series A to Series C+ stages, requiring strong leadership and scalable, impact-driven solutions. Applicants should be open to establishing a local presence in Sharjah. From over 2,000 anticipated applications, 10 startups will be shortlisted through a two-stage evaluation process.
A Champions Training session on 20th August will prepare implementation leads from partner organizations, followed by a Startup Readiness Sprint on 27-28 August. Finalists will pitch to a judging panel, with two winners selected to launch pilots on 22nd September 2025. The programme will culminate in a pilot showcase during the Sharjah International Summit on Improvement in Education on 14-15 February 2026, where the winners will be announced.