Under directives from H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) launched the Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund to provide accelerated support for Sharjah-based startups and SMEs.
The initiative introduced fast-tracked financial, operational, and marketing assistance to help businesses manage current market pressures. Moreover, it targeted priority sectors such as manufacturing, food security, and healthcare, which support broader economic continuity.
The fund is aligned with the “Proud of UAE” campaign. As a result, it formed part of wider efforts to strengthen business resilience and maintain economic stability.
Grants, evaluation process, and funding target
Applications opened with an expedited assessment process designed to deliver funding outcomes more quickly. Additionally, the fund offered equity-free, non-repayable grants, alongside structured support programmes and visibility opportunities.
Sheraa said it aimed to mobilize up to AED5 million with support from strategic partners. Meanwhile, eligible startups and SMEs could submit applications through Sheraa’s official platform.
The fund focused on supporting established businesses facing operational challenges. Therefore, the initiative aimed to help companies sustain activity while maintaining long-term viability.
Partner network and leadership comments
The fund received backing from a broad group of public and private sector partners, including Beeah Group, CE- Ventures, National Paints, Al Midfa Investments Group, Shurooq, Careem, RAK BANK, Floward, Alaan, SPARK, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority, Sharjah Majid Al Futtaim, Emirates Petroleum Company P.J.S.C, Publicis Groupe, Entrepreneur Middle East, Inc. Arabia, and Paymob.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi said, “Sharjah’s vision, aligned with the broader direction of the UAE, is rooted in building a resilient, future-ready economy driven by innovation and entrepreneurship. Achieving this requires more than long-term ambition; it calls for systems that respond with clarity and purpose, particularly in moments that test continuity and adaptability. At Sheraa, we see our role as ensuring that founders are equipped to navigate change without losing momentum and to continue building ventures that create lasting economic value. The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund reflects this commitment, providing timely support that enables businesses to remain operational, make informed decisions, and contribute to an ecosystem designed to sustain progress and evolve with confidence.”
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said, “The UAE, guided by the vision of its wise leadership, continues to advance the entrepreneurship and SMEs sector, strengthening its competitiveness and ensuring its continuity. As a key driver of national economic growth, this sector plays a central role in accelerating the transition toward a more resilient and sustainable economic model. The launch of the Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund is the latest in a series of initiatives introduced by the Emirate of Sharjah to support this vital sector. It reflects a clear commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and startup founders, safeguarding SMEs, and enhancing their resilience, particularly amid the current challenges facing the region. In doing so, it contributes to strengthening the national entrepreneurship ecosystem, enabling businesses to sustain their operations with confidence and competitiveness, ultimately reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for startups and entrepreneurship.”
Najla Al Midfa said, “Startups and SMEs are not a footnote to economic resilience; they are its foundation. They sustain employment, anchor supply chains, and continue to build even when conditions demand more of them than before. But a founder’s ability to push forward is never determined by ambition alone. It is shaped by the environment around them, and whether that environment is structured to respond when it matters most. Periods of disruption do not pause the work of building a business, and they cannot be met with hesitation. The Entrepreneurs Resilience Fund reflects Sheraa’s conviction that an ecosystem earns its value precisely in these moments, by showing up with the right support, at the right time, in a form that founders can act on. The nation’s economic future is being built today, company by company, decision by decision, and this Fund ensures that the pressure of the present does not determine the potential of what comes next.”
Selected businesses will receive tailored support, including advisory sessions, workshops, office hours, and introductions. Additionally, participants will gain access to partner-led resources and software support, as well as enhanced market visibility.
Sheraa said the initiative was built on its existing startup development programs and funding platforms. Moreover, it invited partners and stakeholders to contribute to the fund to strengthen the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem.
