This year, the Access Sharjah Challenge focuses on two key issues in early education: meaningfully integrating future-ready skills into daily learning and elevating the role of the Arabic language as a tool for expression, identity, and belonging.

The challenge aims to address these priorities through innovative solutions that incorporate technology, cultural content, and interactive learning, both inside and outside the classroom, to create more inclusive, effective, and future-ready educational environments. 

Applications open on July 7th and close on  August 17. We encourage early submissions to ensure your application is considered. 

If you are shortlisted, you will participate in a four-week-long Startup Readiness Sprint designed to prepare your team for successful collaboration and implementation. This includes partner workshops tailored to meet the needs of the challenge and partner expectations. 

Following a successful pitch at the end of the Sprint, if selected, you will enter a six-month Proof of Concept (PoC) implementation phase. This phase includes preparation, pilot testing, and final implementation, providing ample opportunity to refine your solution in a real-world environment and demonstrate its impact and scalability. During this period, you will work closely with our partner in Sharjah to ensure your solution meets the specific needs of the local market and industry standards 

This is a 4-week online program that is designed to help startups to collaborate efficiently with our corporate partners and it helps assess compatibility at the business and technical levels.

No, there is no fee to participate in the ASC. Selected startups will be granted access to resources and support throughout the program.

Participants can win a POC deal worth AED 250,000, access to market opportunities, and licensing support, to scale their solutions in Sharjah.

No, international and local startups can apply without a Sharjah business license.

Winners will need to obtain a Sharjah license, which Sheraa will assist with at a discounted rate.

Winners should be prepared to enter a formal agreement outlining the terms of POC implementation, and company licensing in Sharjah.

Winning startups will be required to obtain a business license in Sharjah for at least two years, with access to additional opportunities post-program.

Sheraa provides ongoing support including networking opportunities, further business development, and potential scaling pathways within the UAE and GCC markets.

Success is evaluated based on the impact of the solutions implemented, commercial viability, scalability, and the ability to meet the predefined challenge goals.

Please contact the ASC support team via email (sheraa.programs@sheraa.ae). We are here to assist you throughout the application process.

Yes, modifications are permitted by submitting a new application (the last submitted application will be reviewed). 

Please ensure any changes are submitted by August 17th.  

We commit to responding to every application.

You will hear from us by the deadline, but we may contact you sooner as we review applications on a rolling basis.

Absolutely! We warmly welcome past participants who did not get selected to apply for ASC 2025.