Platform is poised to strengthen entrepreneurship opportunities in arts and design, and contribute towards achieving the goals of UAE Vision 2021
Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center) – a launch pad for aspiring entrepreneurs in the United Arab Emirates – continues to take strong strides in widening the gamut of industries that benefit from start-ups pioneered by the youth. The center has entered into a strategic alliance with Alserkal Cultural Foundation in a bid to promote and support artistic talent and innovative ventures related to design and culture.
The MoU was signed by Najla Al-Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa and Ahmed bin Eisa bin Nasser Al Serkal, Chairman of Al Serkal Cultural Foundation.
As part of the collaboration, Sheraa and Alserkal Cultural Foundation will hold joint events and campaigns to attract entrepreneurial talent from the country’s creative fields, and support communities to usher in new waves of locally conceived ventures.
Najla Al-Midfa, General Manager of Sheraa, said: “The United Arab Emirates has a rich repository of young talent in the fields of design, arts, literature, photography, filmmaking and a wide range of other activities that deepen a community’s soul and character. Artists and their works are integral for spurring meaningful dialogue between diverse people and diversifying the country’s economy. This also reflects a holistic approach towards nation-building.”
She added: “Sheraa is dedicated towards giving the youth a platform to harness their unique skills and exhibit their talent whilst increasing their reach through scalable enterprises. This is also in line with the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda to preserve the nation’s unique heritage and create happy and healthy societies.”
Ahmed bin Eisa bin Nasser Al Serkal, Chairman of Al Serkal Cultural Foundation, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Sheraa and expand our efforts in inspiring young talent. The UAE is well positioned to become a beacon of inspiration in the region’s artistic and culture landscape. The youth play a crucial role in achieving our objectives and contributing towards the creation of a healthy society that experiences well-rounded development.”
The strategic collaboration comes on the heels of Sheraa’s inaugural accelerator program, where it launched ten start-ups catering to the industries of ‘sharing economy’, video gaming, Arabic content, handicraft, Food and Beverage (F&B), energy and skill development. With this association, Sheraa is now geared towards strengthening opportunities in arts and design, and making the entrepreneurial landscape of the country more vibrant and diverse than ever before.