The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has collaborated with Dubai-based Motivate Media Group (MMG) to create a $272k fund to support tech startups through MMG’s portfolio of promotional services.
Motivate, region’s leading multi-platform content producer will provide exclusive access to tech startups under Sheraa’s portfolio such as advertising space in their print magazines, editorial support, digital marketing and marketing promotional guidance as per its plans.
After pledging a $1 million solidarity fund earlier in May to help startups under strain, Sheraa has used this unique stimulus plan to help tech startups bounce back, using well-established and reputable marketing platforms to reach a wide market audience.
Sheraa has been conducting surveys to assess the exact needs of its startups, where their specific challenges are, and identify their most pressing requirements apart from fundraising.
Najla Al Midfa CEO of Sheraa
“Since the outbreak, Sheraa has been thinking and acting on its feet in order to design innovative strategies to provide targeted support to its entrepreneurial community. Brand recognition and effective marketing to reach the right target audiences has come up as one of their top requirements, especially now when exposure to wider markets can make a big difference towards both the survival and revival of their businesses.”
“Motivate was a natural partner for this new Sheraa endeavor; we wanted our startups to leverage the immense market outreach they have built over 35 years. Tech SMEs benefiting from this initiative will feature alongside cutting-edge editorial, becoming known to millions in the region and beyond who form Motivate’s readership. Collaborations like these are a testament to the growing sense of community within the entrepreneurship ecosystem. We look forward to building on our partnership to further support our founders, both in the current climate and beyond,” Ms. Al Midfa added.
Ian Fairservice, the Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group, said: “Motivate and Sheraa are committing a substantial fund in the form of advertising and marketing, to support UAE-SMEs across all platforms, during what we are referring to as a period of business revival. This contribution forms part of our overall support and we couldn’t do better than to work with Sheraa to cover the essential Tech sector. MMG wants to help and encourage SMEs during this challenging period and see their businesses grow as we approach 2021 – the 50th anniversary of the UAE.”
