United Arab Emirates: The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) has launched ‘Sharjah’s Little Founders’ (SLF), a curated new zone specially designed to nurture entrepreneurial aspirations and skills among children aged 7 to 12.

The launch reflects SEF’s broader vision to empower aspirants to excel in all stages of their entrepreneurial journey, from generating creative ideas to leading innovation. Applications are now open for young participants to join the inaugural cohort of the zone.

Sharjah’s Little Founders introduces a hands-on, age-appropriate experience that allows children to explore entrepreneurship through practical learning, idea development, and pitching in a fun and supportive environment.

SLF takes place as one of the 10 specially curated SEF zones, each addressing a distinct stage or dimension of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, reinforcing the festival’s position as the region’s most comprehensive platform for founders, innovators, and future changemakers.

Highlighting the significance of the new zone, Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, which organises SEF, said: “Entrepreneurship is a journey that begins with curiosity and confidence at an early age. By further diversifying SEF’s curated zones to include Sharjah’s Little Founders, we are thoughtfully creating a space for young minds to explore ideas, build problem-solving skills, and engage with entrepreneurship in a way that is both accessible and inspiring. SLF reflects our dedication to developing a truly inclusive ecosystem, investing early in the next generation of innovators.”

Candidates can use an online submission form to apply to SLF. Judges will select the top 10 Little Founders, who will receive exhibition booths in the SLF zone and will attend a workshop at SEF 2026 before presenting their idea in the main SLF Pitch Competition Prize. Each pitch will be allocated 5 minutes on stage, followed by 5 minutes of questions and answers.

There will be an overall Pitch Competition winner, who will be awarded a grand prize of Dhs 10,000 and a family staycation at Shurooq properties. Winners will be announced during the SEF closing ceremony.

SLF also includes 10 booths where candidates will showcase their business ideas, promote their revenue potential, and create engaging, interactive exhibits. Three winners will receive trophies and all participants will receive certificates.

Applications and further details are available on the SLF landing page (https://sharjahslittlefounders.com) of the SEF website (https://sharjahef.com). Applications close on January 18, 2026.

Under the theme Where We Belong, SEF 2026 will be held from January 31 to February 1 at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). With an expected audience of 14,000 attendees, SEF 2026 will host 300 leading minds across industries.

Meanwhile, SEF 2026 is expanding its support for entrepreneurs through a series of masterclasses designed to equip founders, creators, and startups with practical skills.

Hosted within the SEF Academy, these sessions address funding, technology, branding, leadership, and sustainability, led by regional and international experts.

Technology-driven execution is another focus, with sessions such as ‘Artificial Intelligence Automation for Businesses’ and ‘Building Your AI Workflow for Storytelling and Creativity’.