The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2025 (SEF), a flagship event that celebrates entrepreneurship and innovation, will feature a stellar lineup of over 300 global leaders from around 45 nations.
The 8th edition, scheduled to run from 1st to 2nd February 2025, will present prominent speakers including Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Princess Lamia bint Majed Saud AlSaud, Wim Hof, Mo Gawdat, and Ammar Kandil, alongside a plethora of global changemakers across various fields such as technology, leadership, finance, the arts, and many more.
Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi CEO – Sheraa
“By bringing together the world’s most visionary and pioneering leaders from diverse industries, SEF 2025 offers a wealth of expertise and real-world insights. This exceptional lineup will inspire our entrepreneurial community to think boldly, act decisively, and create meaningful impact. Attendees will leave not only equipped with valuable knowledge but also empowered with the confidence and connections to bring their visions to life”.
Among the speakers, Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the President and Director of the Sharjah Art Foundation, has contributed to cementing Sharjah’s position as a global center for contemporary art and culture. Sheikha Hoor provides entrepreneurs with a visionary perspective on integrating artistic innovation into business.
HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed Saud Al Saud, Secretary General and member of the Board of Trustees at Alwaleed Philanthropies, will deliver a keynote at SEF 2025 to inspire attendees to integrate meaningful impact into their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman,” Dutch extreme athlete and wellness guru, will attend SEF 2025, inspiring attendees to embrace a holistic and resilient approach that fosters growth, well-being, and success in all aspects of life.
This edition will also welcome Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet’s ‘X moonshot factory’ (Formally Google X), an expert in technology, innovation and mental wellness who has inspired millions globally, as well as an international bestselling author and podcaster.
Ammar Kandil, the Egyptian co-founder of YES Theory, a movement that inspires people to step out of their comfort zones and connect meaningfully through shared experiences. Ammar’s mantra “Seek Discomfort” has helped entrepreneurs embrace courage as a key to success.
Shelly Frost, Founder and Director of The Fridge, has been a prominent figure in the region’s music and events scene. The 8th edition will welcome Shelly Frost to share her experience in fostering local talent and creating culturally inclusive platforms.
Noha Nabil stands out as a trailblazer who transformed her brand, ‘Noha Nabil Beauty’, into a household name, highlighting how creating a unique and personal marketing strategy can drive substantial business growth. Niki Skene, an innovator and futurist, known for his global inspiration tours, will inspire individuals with strategies to stand out in a crowded market.
Hadil El Khatib merges tradition and modern wellness with expertise in matcha and Japanese tea ceremonies and will highlight how entrepreneurship can be harnessed within one’s interests and passions. Diaa Allam, the renowned artist, will blend calligraphy and mural art to inspire resilience, cultural pride, and the power of authenticity in business.
Additionally, Charlie Wright, the founder of Humantra, Mohammed Al-Hakim, the newly appointed President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations; Rashid Alabbar, an online retail entrepreneur and co-founder of the online fashion portal SIVVI.com; Ali Mokhtar, CEO and Managing Partner of Beltone Venture Capital; Noor Sweid, founder of ‘Global Ventures’; Maaz Sheikh, CEO and Co-Founder of STARZPLAY; Plestia Alaqad, Palestinian journalist and writer, Sahar Rasti, the first Emirati female shipmaster and CEO of SJR Group, and Mohammed Saeed Harib, an acclaimed Emirati animator, director, and creator of FREEJ will be featured to equip attendees with inspiration to succeed.
