In a move to deepen ties between the UAE and India’s startup ecosystems, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and Startup Middle East have signed a wide-ranging Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement lays the foundation for strategic, cross-border collaboration and includes the creation of a new India Startup Hub in Sharjah. This initiative is part of a larger effort to drive innovation, facilitate market entry, and link Indian entrepreneurs with Sharjah’s rapidly growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Strategic partnership to bridge startup ecosystems

The MoU was formally signed on August 25, 2025, at Sheraa’s headquarters in Sharjah. The signatories were Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and Siby Sudhakaran, CEO of Startup Middle East. The signing was attended by Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission, along with various officials and representatives from Indian startup companies. The agreement outlines a collaborative roadmap to enhance bilateral startup ties, and prominently includes the launch of the Sharjah Centre of India Startup Hub (ISH), a dedicated platform designed to give Indian entrepreneurs direct access to Sharjah’s innovation resources and opportunities. This center will serve as a bridge connecting Indian startups with Sharjah’s entrepreneurial infrastructure, including its five free zones, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce, and IBPC Sharjah. The hub is described as a catalyst for enabling market expansion and innovation-led growth across both countries.Siby Sudhakaran, CEO of Startup Middle East, described the new hub as “a landmark initiative inspired by the enduring vision of Expo 2020 Dubai designed to showcase the dynamism of the Indian startup ecosystem while opening doors to global opportunities.” He added that Sheraa’s leadership has been pivotal in making this vision actionable: “This Hub will serve as a powerful catalyst, connecting Indian innovators with Sharjah’s thriving entrepreneurial landscape.”

Focus areas and ecosystem integration

The partnership supports Sheraa’s ongoing mission to integrate with global innovation ecosystems. It will strengthen its key programs including:

These initiatives are designed to provide startups with end-to-end support, from funding access and regulatory assistance to strategic mentorship and product-market fit development. Additionally, the collaboration will extend to key Indian startup ecosystem events such as:

These integrations are expected to create new pathways for Indian startups to explore the Middle East market, and for UAE-based ventures to tap into India’s vast innovation landscape.Commenting on the broader significance of this cross-border effort, Sara Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stated: “Collaboration lies at the heart of Sheraa’s mission to build a globally connected startup ecosystem. This agreement with Startup Middle East brings Indian founders closer to Sharjah’s entrepreneurial community and creates new opportunities for our startups to expand into one of the world’s most dynamic markets.” She added that the partnership is “laying the foundation for a vibrant ecosystem of innovation between the UAE and India, one that will unlock growth, impact, and shared prosperity.”The initiative also strategically taps into existing sectoral expertise from India. Anoop Ambika, CEO of Kerala Startup Mission, highlighted the diaspora advantage: “With over 1 million Malayalees in the UAE nearly 40% working across Oil & Gas, Shipping, Logistics, and Tourism the India Startup Hub Sharjah Centre, developed by Startup Middle East, creates a powerful bridge for Kerala Startup Mission to harness this diaspora’s sectoral expertise.”

About the facilitators

Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) Established in 2016, Sheraa is a government-supported entity tasked with developing Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Based at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, Sheraa operates two additional hubs within the American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah. Sheraa’s initiatives span the full entrepreneurial journey, including incubation, scaling, and community building. Notable achievements include:

Sheraa also runs Centers of Excellence for startups in sectors such as Cultural and Creative Industries, Advanced Manufacturing, Cleantech and Sustainable Technologies, and Edtech. These centers offer access to corporate partnerships, regulatory support, technological resources, and funding opportunities. The annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, hosted by Sheraa since 2017, has welcomed over 30,000 attendees, positioning Sharjah as a vibrant destination for entrepreneurs, changemakers, and investors.Startup Middle East Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Dubai, Startup Middle East is a platform dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the region. Managed by Achieverati, the platform provides:

Startup Middle East serves as a launchpad for startups seeking to expand in the GCC and broader MENA region, offering structured access to business resources, capital, and partnership networks.