Sheraa Launches New Edition of S3 Program to Empower Early-Stage Startups in the UAE

Abbas Aziz By Abbas Aziz
3 Min Read

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has officially announced the latest edition of its flagship Sharjah Startup Studio (S3), a program designed to accelerate the growth of early-stage startups across the UAE. Focused on enabling long-term impact and expansion, this four-month initiative offers a unique blend of mentorship, funding access, tools, and expert guidance.

What S3 Brings to the Table

The upcoming S3 cohort will begin accepting applications on September 7, 2025, with 20 high-potential startups expected to be selected for the program. These selected ventures will receive:

  • âś… Access to AED 3 million+ worth of software tools and services
  • âś… Tailored one-on-one mentorship from seasoned founders and industry experts
  • âś… Connections to Sheraa’s investor and partner network
  • âś… Workshops and training on scaling, funding, and investment readiness
  • âś… Support in aligning product-market fit and growth strategies

The program aims to equip founders with the skills, capital, and connections they need to build sustainable, scalable businesses.

Focused on Real Growth and Impact

S3 isn’t just about guidance, it’s about building real-world readiness. Participating startups will benefit from hands-on advisory sessions that focus on:

  • Investor relations and pitch preparation
  • Long-term business strategy and scalability
  • Navigating funding rounds and capital deployment
  • Matching solutions to real market demands

Sheraa’s approach is centered around practical, founder-first support, helping startups close the gap between idea and execution.

Backed by a Vision for the Future

Speaking about the program, HE Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said:

“Sharjah Startup Studio S3 is a continuation of our commitment to backing entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools, resources, and confidence to scale their businesses. Through this program, we support startups in advancing their current business models and expanding their operations to become key contributors to local, regional, and global economies.”

This edition of S3 reflects Sheraa’s broader mission to cultivate a thriving startup ecosystem in the UAE, particularly in Sharjah, by ensuring entrepreneurs have what they need to build lasting impact.

Why It Matters

Early-stage startups often face one major roadblock: access to capital. Sheraa has placed this challenge front and center in its program design. By facilitating direct investor connections and offering deep guidance on fundraising, S3 aims to bridge the funding gap and fast-track startup success.

Whether you’re building a tech platform, service startup, or social impact venture, S3 provides a clear pathway from launch to scale, with the backing of one of the UAE’s leading entrepreneurship centers.