The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) is expanding its support for founders by introducing a series of masterclasses designed to equip entrepreneurs, creators, and early‑stage startups with practical skills to build, grow, and sustain their ventures.

Hosted within the SEF Academy, the masterclasses offer applied, skill‑driven learning led by regional and international experts, covering funding, technology, branding, creative growth, leadership, and founder wellbeing. SEF 2026 will take place on January 31 and February 1 at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), welcoming more than 14,000 global attendees, including founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders.

Building and funding a business A core focus of SEF 2026 is strengthening the fundamentals of venture building. ‘Demystifying the Mechanics of Equity Fundraising’ provides founders with a practical understanding of cap tables, equity structures, and investor readiness. ‘Money Mastery 101’ helps participants manage personal and business finances, while ‘Consumer Spending Behaviour: Patterns & Risks’ explores how market dynamics influence pricing and demand.

AI, technology, and automation Technology‑driven execution features prominently, with sessions on applying AI in real business contexts. ‘Artificial Intelligence Automation for Businesses’ examines how AI agents streamline operations and customer engagement, while ‘Building Your AI Workflow for Storytelling and Creativity’ shows founders and creatives how to integrate AI into ideation and content production.

Brand, communication, and creative advantage Masterclasses also address visibility and communication. ‘Personal Branding for Founders’ guides participants in shaping authentic narratives, and ‘From Fear to Confidence’ strengthens public‑speaking skills for high‑stakes settings.

Creative practice and creator‑led growth For founders and creators, SEF offers hands‑on photowalks using DSLR and mobile tools, reinforcing content as a business asset. ‘AI Prompt Engineering for Creatives’ provides structured creative workflows, while ‘How to Make a Full‑Time Income with a Part‑Time Audience’ reframes audience‑building as a sustainable growth model.

Wellbeing and founder sustainability Recognizing entrepreneurial pressures, the Academy integrates wellbeing through sessions such as ‘Beat The Burn,’ offering tools to manage stress and prevent burnout.

Belong pass holders can reserve masterclasses as paid add‑ons, while Premium pass holders receive full access. Passes are available at sharjahef.com, with complimentary Student passes offered upon registration.

Organized by Sheraa, SEF 2026 will take place under the theme Where We Belong, celebrating creativity, impact, and entrepreneurship.

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