Sharjah and India Sign Deal to Grow Startups Together

Post by : Mumtaaz Qadiri

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, known as Sheraa, has signed a big new agreement with Startup Middle East to help entrepreneurs from both the UAE and India. This partnership is aimed at making it easier for startups from the two countries to work together, expand to new markets, and connect with global platforms. It shows how important collaboration is in building a strong startup ecosystem.

Signing of the agreement in Sharjah

The Memorandum of Understanding, also called an MoU, was officially signed at Sheraa’s headquarters. The signing was done by Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and Siby Sudhakaran, CEO of Startup Middle East. The event was also attended by Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission, along with several officials and representatives of Indian startup companies. The MoU sets a clear plan to connect Indian startups with Sharjah’s innovation network.

Launch of the India Startup Hub in Sharjah

The most important part of this new partnership is the creation of the Sharjah Centre of India Startup Hub (ISH). This new hub will act as a special platform where Indian entrepreneurs can directly connect with Sharjah’s startup ecosystem. It will help them grow faster, get support, and find new opportunities to expand their businesses beyond India.

Sheraa’s existing initiatives get stronger

Sheraa already runs several strong programs like Sheraa Deal Dock, the Sharjah Startup Studio (S3), and the Access Sharjah Challenge. With this new collaboration, Sheraa plans to make these initiatives even stronger by working more closely with government bodies and programs in India. The aim is to give startups more access to global markets, making Sheraa a stronger player in entrepreneurship.

Partnership across major Indian startup events

The collaboration between Sheraa and Startup Middle East will also cover big startup events happening in India. These include Huddle Global, Startup Mahakumbh, Scaleup in the Emirates Business Summit, and the India Startups Confluence 2025. Such events will help entrepreneurs from both countries to meet, share ideas, and build stronger business relationships.

Sheraa’s CEO shares her views

Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said that collaboration is the heart of Sheraa’s mission. She explained that this agreement will help Indian founders come closer to Sharjah’s growing startup community. It will also help UAE-based startups expand into one of the world’s most active markets, India. She said that the agreement is the beginning of building a powerful and connected ecosystem of innovation that will bring growth, impact, and shared benefits to both countries.

Startup Middle East’s vision for the hub

Siby Sudhakaran, CEO of Startup Middle East, called the India Startup Hub a landmark initiative. He said that this idea was inspired by the vision of Expo 2020 Dubai, which focused on connecting global innovation. He explained that the hub will showcase India’s startup energy while also creating international opportunities. He thanked Sheraa for its leadership and support in making this dream real. He also said that the hub will connect Indian entrepreneurs with Sharjah’s free zones, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, and IBPC Sharjah, strengthening the bridge of innovation between the two countries.

Kerala Startup Mission highlights community benefits

Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission, pointed out the importance of the Indian community in the UAE. He shared that more than one million Malayalees live in the UAE, and nearly 40% of them work in industries like Oil & Gas, Shipping, Logistics, and Tourism. He said that the new India Startup Hub in Sharjah will give Kerala entrepreneurs the chance to use this diaspora’s experience and knowledge in these sectors. This creates a strong advantage for Kerala startups to connect with international opportunities.

Sharjah as a global hub for entrepreneurship

This new partnership highlights Sharjah’s position as a global center for entrepreneurship. By joining hands with India, one of the fastest growing startup ecosystems in the world, Sharjah is strengthening its role as a hub for innovation and growth. The India Startup Hub will not only help Indian startups expand but will also give Sharjah-based entrepreneurs the chance to enter India’s huge and growing market.

Opportunities for entrepreneurs in both countries

The collaboration is designed to help entrepreneurs in both countries equally. Indian startups will get a chance to use Sharjah as a gateway to the wider Middle East and global markets. At the same time, UAE startups will find it easier to access India’s massive market. The connection between the two ecosystems will also create opportunities for investment, partnerships, and research collaborations.

Importance of cross-border innovation

In today’s world, innovation grows faster when countries and businesses work together. This partnership between Sheraa and Startup Middle East is an example of how cross-border collaboration can help startups go beyond local boundaries. By working together, entrepreneurs from India and the UAE can solve bigger problems, create stronger products, and reach more customers globally.

A future of shared growth and success

The agreement is not only about connecting two startup ecosystems. It is about shaping a future where entrepreneurship plays a central role in the economic growth of both countries. With programs like Sheraa’s startup studio and India’s dynamic startup events, the partnership will create an environment where ideas can grow into successful global businesses.

The MoU between Sheraa and Startup Middle East marks an important step in building stronger ties between the UAE and India in the field of entrepreneurship. The launch of the India Startup Hub in Sharjah will create a powerful bridge for innovation, investment, and collaboration. This move strengthens Sharjah’s place as a leader in global entrepreneurship and gives startups from both countries the chance to grow together. It is a clear sign that the future of startups lies in cooperation, shared vision, and connected global ecosystems.

UAE India startups, Global market access