Sharjah: Sharjah put young entrepreneurs in the spotlight at the third edition of Seal the Deal, a collaborative initiative bringing together Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the University of Sharjah. The event took place on the second day of the 9th Sharjah Investment Forum 2026, at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre in Sharjah, in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SPARK.

The programme, launched in 2024, serves as a platform to connect young entrepreneurs with investors and supports the transition of innovative ideas into investment opportunities with growth potential. 

Seal the Deal 2026 featured six startups from participating higher education institutions, presenting innovative solutions across areas covering security and safety, student lifestyle, legal tech, urban planning and accessibility. The participating ventures reflected the diversity of ideas being developed by the next generation of entrepreneurs and their potential to address real-world challenges.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK), said: “Seal the Deal represents a practical model for connecting young talent with the opportunities offered by Sharjah’s innovation and investment ecosystem. By providing young entrepreneurs with a platform to present their ideas to investors, we are supporting the transition of ideas into ventures with the potential to grow and attract investment, while strengthening connections between academia, business and investors. We believe that empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs is an investment in the future of a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy.”

H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), said: “Seal the Deal creates valuable opportunities for young entrepreneurs to engage directly with investors, gain practical insights, and build connections that can support their growth. Through our collaboration with academic institutions and ecosystem partners, we are strengthening the pathways that connect emerging talent with the expertise, networks, and investment opportunities needed to turn promising ideas into viable businesses. This reflects Sheraa’s continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and advancing Sharjah’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.”

H.E. Mohamed Juma Al Musharrkh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah), said: “Economies stay competitive by creating the conditions for new companies to emerge. At the Sharjah Investment Forum, Seal the Deal brings ventures from Sharjah’s universities into direct conversation with investors, giving young founders the chance to test their ideas against the realities of the market. We want the path from university to business to become a defining strength of Sharjah’s economy, with more homegrown companies contributing to its growth and competitiveness.”

Dr. Tod A. Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, said: “Universities have a responsibility to help turn knowledge into solutions that create value for society. At AUS, we prepare students to question assumptions, work across disciplines and develop ideas that respond to real needs. Seal the Deal gives young founders the opportunity to test those ideas with investors and understand what it takes to build a viable business. Connecting education with entrepreneurship in this way helps Sharjah develop the talent and enterprises that will shape its future economy.”

The participation of higher education institutions in Seal the Deal highlights the importance of creating practical pathways for young talent to develop their ideas and engage with investors, strengthening an entrepreneurial culture and supporting the transition of knowledge and innovation into commercially viable ventures.
H.E. Prof. Esameldin Agamy, Chancellor, University of Sharjah, said:‘The live pitching element of Seal the Deal is invaluable because entrepreneurship is not about only having a good idea but also learning how to communicate its value, and respond to real-world challenges. Initiatives like Seal the Deal do not just teach young people new skills and connect them with the experts, they change their mindsets and inspire them to create tangible value and impact. 

My advice to UoS students and young entrepreneurs is to never wait for the perfect moment to put your ideas into practice. You should always take the first step as any idea only becomes valuable and applicable when you test it, develop it, and learn how to refine it from others. In fact, you do not need to have everything figured out to start. Entrepreneurship is about solving real problems, creating genuine value, and, above all, having the courage to change course when the evidence demands it.’

The third edition of Seal the Deal builds on the achievements of the initiative’s previous editions. The on-stage investors included Ali Sajwani, Managing Director Damac properties; Jasem Abdulla Al Nowais, CEO & Founder, Zarah; Jigar Sagar, Founder, Triliv Holdings; and Faris Saeed, Founder and Chairman, SEE Holding.

By bringing together young entrepreneurs, higher education institutions, investors and entrepreneurship-support organizations, Seal the Deal continues to provide a practical platform for turning ambition into opportunity, supporting promising ventures as they develop and fostering direct dialogue between founders and those able to support and finance their growth.

The third edition of Seal the Deal featured six promising startups led by young entrepreneurs, including Amana Vision, GroundReality, StudentVerse, Nomoy, Dailil, and Hareth. The participating startups presented their innovative business solutions to a panel of prominent investors, gaining valuable exposure, expert feedback, and opportunities to explore potential investment and strategic partnerships that could support their growth and expansion.  

Seal the Deal 2026 reinforced the organizers’ commitment to developing an integrated ecosystem that connects innovation with investment, enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs to access capital, expertise and networks while supporting the growth of their ventures and opening new pathways for solutions capable of addressing the challenges of the future.