The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) participated in VivaTech 2025 as part of the UAE delegation led by H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy. The delegation showcased Sharjah’s approach to building a supportive and practical startup environment, with a focus on sustainability, EdTech, manufacturing, and the creative economy.
VivaTech 2025, held in Paris from June 11–14, is organised by Publicis Groupe and Les Échos. It is regarded as one of Europe’s largest technology and startup events, welcoming over 165,000 attendees, including 13,500 startups, 3,500 exhibitors, and 3,200 investors.
Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025 was launched during the event. The report reaffirmed Sharjah’s position as the seventh-ranked startup ecosystem in the MENA region. Despite increased competition in the region, Sharjah’s consistent performance highlights the impact of Sheraa’s founder-focused initiatives and ecosystem-building efforts.
H.E. Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of Sheraa, said that Sharjah’s recognition reflects the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. She emphasised the importance of creating a space where entrepreneurs feel supported throughout their journey and noted that the alignment of policy, academia, private sector, and capital is key to providing long-term support.
H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated that participating in VivaTech provides an opportunity to connect Sharjah’s ecosystem with global networks. She added that the startups featured represent sectors with long-term potential and reflect the UAE’s wider vision for steady and responsible innovation.
Sheraa’s selected startups for VivaTech 2025 operate across its four Centers of Excellence. These include ventures offering zero-waste skincare using locally sourced ingredients, AI-driven platforms for financial education, blockchain-based loyalty systems, and mixed-reality technologies. Other startups presented include an AI-powered Arabic sign language platform, smart irrigation technology aimed at water efficiency, and tools for digital retail engagement and data analytics.
These ventures are actively engaging with international investors and partners to explore future opportunities and contribute to the UAE’s growing entrepreneurship landscape.
As part of VivaTech 2025, Sheraa-supported startup Responsive Drip Irrigation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HYVEGEO, a climate-tech company. The partnership aims to explore solutions in sustainable agriculture, including climate-resilient irrigation, soil health improvement, and carbon sequestration.
