When and where is SEF 2027?

On 30 and 31 January 2027 at SPARK, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, in Sharjah.

Is SEF a festival or a business event?

It is an entrepreneurship conference for founders, investors and the startup ecosystem, with talks, a pitch competition, an investor lounge and a startup showcase.

Sheraa, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center. 2027 is the festival's 10th edition.

Register your interest on the official site at sharjahef.com; pass details for the 2027 edition are announced there.

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2027

Name: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2027
Start: 2027-01-30T09:00:00+00:00
End: 2027-01-31T18:00:00+00:00
Location: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park

About this event

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) is the flagship startup conference of Sheraa, Sharjah's entrepreneurship centre. Its 10th edition returns to SPARK, the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, for two days of keynotes, founder talks, investor meetings, a startup showcase and a pitch competition. Despite the festival name it is a business event built around founders, investors and the wider startup ecosystem.

Who attends

SEF draws the whole startup ecosystem of the UAE and the wider region, from first-time founders to established investors and corporate innovation teams.

Startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs
Venture capital and angel investors
Tech innovators and corporate partners
Creatives and SME owners
Policymakers and ecosystem builders
Students exploring entrepreneurship

Programme and formats

The festival combines multiple stages of talks with hands-on and deal-focused formats. Sheraa has said the 2027 edition centres on innovation, technology, investment, sustainability, the creative industries and the role of entrepreneurship in long-term, inclusive economic growth.

Main stage keynotes and panels
Startup Showcase in front of decision-makers
SEF Pitch Competition for startups
Investor Lounge for founder and investor meetings
Workshops, masterclasses and a networking hub
SEF Souq creative marketplace

Scale

The organizer describes SEF as the largest entrepreneurship festival in the region and expects more than 14,000 attendees, 5,000 founders and 500 venture capitalists, with 300+ speakers and 250+ sessions and activities across the two days.

attendees expected: 14K+
founders: 5,000+
VCs joining: 500+
speakers: 300+

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2027 is a Business & Management event taking place 30-31 Jan 2027 at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.