The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) recently marked the culmination of its Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC) 2024 with an impactful Pitch Day event held at Sheraa HQ under the themes of Agritech and Livestock Health. This event was the final step in an intense journey, bringing together 11 shortlisted startups selected from a record-breaking 2,207 applications submitted from all over the globe. Local talent was joined by an impressive international contingency of over 24 countries, from all six habitable continents, namely, Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, Australasia.

During the pitch day, the 11 innovative startups presented their Proof of Concept (POC) solutions before a distinguished panel of judges. After careful consideration, two outstanding startups will be selected representing each track and will each receive contracts worth AED 250,000; along with continued guidance and support from Sheraa and their ecosystem partners; providing them with a six-month implementation period to bring their groundbreaking innovations to further advance Sharjah’s impact in the agriculture and livestock sector.

Speaking on the impact of ASC 2024, Sheraa CEO, H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi stated, “Sheraa is dedicated to empowering innovative entrepreneurs who are committed to addressing the pressing challenges facing our world today. With support from our valued partners, and aligned with our newly established Centers of Excellence, we aim to continue instilling a culture of innovation and resilience, transforming pioneering ideas into impactful solutions that contribute to a sustainable future for all. We believe that Sharjah can be the epicenter of this advancement across various sectors, and our Access Sharjah Challenge provides an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs to seize the moment and implement their solutions proactively within the emirate.”

Turning cutting-edge ideas into impactful solutions

For the 6th edition of ASC, Sheraa collaborated with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock as this year’s challenge partner, and was endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), designing the challenge’s focus around two main themes, namely, AgriTech and Livestock Health. ASC 2024 has also enjoyed the support from key sponsors such as the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Real Estate, and Al Ghanim Holding.

Ahead of the pitch event, senior representatives from DAL led a comprehensive corporate innovation training program. This initiative allowed the shortlisted startups to participate in in-depth sessions with DAL, ensuring that their solutions were both suitable and adaptable to the organization’s needs.

The AgriTech track aims to address critical challenges such as water scarcity and sustainable agricultural practices, while the Livestock Health track focuses on innovative solutions to ensure livestock sustainability and enhance biosecurity systems. Together, these tracks represent Sheraa’s efforts to support sustainable solutions that combine agricultural innovation with technological advancement, in line with their recently established Center of Excellence for Sustainability.

The distinguished panel of judges responsible for selecting the winning startups brought together notable figures including Razan Al Hammadi, Director of Green Development; Jamal Al Suwaidi, Director of Digital Transformation; and Maryam Al Muaini, Head of the Livestock Section at DAL. Sheraa was proudly represented by their CEO, H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi; Head of Strategy, Mishal Tassadaq; Head of Partnerships and Programs, Abeer AlAmeeri; and Advisor to CEO, Arwa AlGhamai.

The event also welcomed a number of influential entities that contribute to the success of the  entrepreneurial ecosystem within Sharjah, including the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Emirates Development Bank (EDB), AlDhaid University, Sharjah Sustainable City (SSC), DU, University of Sharjah, and the US Consulate. Their presence underscored the broader community’s enthusiasm and shared vision for transforming innovative ideas into sustainable solutions.

Building a supportive ecosystem

The Pitch Day marks the exciting final stage of ASC 2024, setting the stage for the selected startups to begin implementation and make an immediate impact within the agricultural sector. By bringing startups from diverse backgrounds and providing them with the opportunity to pitch and prove their concepts, this initiative reaffirms Sheraa’s dedication to building a supportive ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to drive change, create sustainable solutions, and contribute to the region’s economy and prosperity.