Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival runs on Saturday, 31 January 2026 and Sunday, 1 February 2026 at SPARK, Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, next to University City, Sharjah. For venue directions and on-the-ground support, SRTI Park lists +971 6 502 2000 as the main contact line. For organiser enquiries, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center Sheraa lists 06 509 4000 as a contact number. The festival programme shows activity windows running from 10:00am to 10:00pm on both days, so you can plan a full day or a short drop-in visit. If you want smoother entry, arrive close to 10:00am and lock your first session early.
A Sharjah festival with a serious legacy
SEF has grown into a headline meet-up for founders, investors, and builders, and it now reflects how Sharjah’s startup scene has matured. Organisers frame the 2026 edition as the 9th festival, and they position it as a place where conversations move quickly from ideas to real partnerships. Meanwhile, the setting at SPARK keeps the vibe practical, because you sit inside an innovation campus rather than a hotel ballroom. Therefore, you will see founders mixing with corporate teams, government stakeholders, and creative leaders in the same spaces. If you like high-energy learning without heavy formality, this weekend usually delivers it.
How the two days are structured
The agenda format lets you build your own route, because sessions run in parallel across multiple zones and stages. On Saturday, 31 January 2026, the schedule shows festival-wide programming active from 10:00am to 10:00pm, so you can start with big-stage talks, then shift into workshops once you know what you need. On Sunday, 1 February 2026, the programme again runs 10:00am to 10:00pm, which helps if you want a calmer second day for deeper learning and targeted networking. If you split your time across both days, use Saturday for discovery and Sunday for follow-ups.
Options that change your experience on site
SEF sells several pass tiers, so you can match your budget to how much access you want. The festival pass page lists Meydan at AED 99 and Belong at AED 249, and it also lists a Premium tier around AED 1,999, while a Student pass shows as free with eligibility checks. Meanwhile, the registration portal also displays different naming and pricing at times, including Explorer around AED 199 and Innovator around AED 299, so the exact label can shift by release phase and category. Treat all prices as approximately, and check your pass confirmation before you travel.
What you can do beyond talks and panels
SEF pushes variety, so you can move from founder insights into hands-on workshops without leaving the venue. The programme highlights a mix that includes SEF Academy workshops, community sessions, creative activations, food-led experiences, and startup-focused zones. Therefore, you can treat it as a learning event, a networking event, or a “try many things” weekend, depending on your goal. If you feel overwhelmed, pick one track first, then expand once you learn the layout.
Family and youth-friendly angles within a business festival
SEF keeps a strong professional core, yet it also adds a dedicated youth component that makes daytime attendance easier for some families. A standout for 2026 is Sharjah’s Little Founders, described as a hands-on zone for children aged 7 to 12 to build and pitch ideas in an age-appropriate setup. Meanwhile, many main-stage sessions target founders and operators, so families should plan shorter blocks and choose calmer time windows. It can feel family-friendly during the day, but you should still supervise children closely and prioritise the kids zone.
A practical plan for founders, investors, and first-timers
If you come as a founder, start with the biggest stage moments first, because they set the shared language everyone references later. Then, move into workshops and smaller sessions, because you can ask more direct questions and get practical takeaways quickly. If you come as an investor or operator, keep your day meeting-led, and use sessions mainly as a way to spot who you should meet next. If you are new to the ecosystem, choose a lower-cost pass, attend early, and focus on three conversations that can unlock your next step.
Getting there from Dubai and other Emirates
SPARK sits by University City in Sharjah, so most visitors arrive by car or taxi, especially for late-evening sessions. From Dubai, you will usually find the drive simplest if you leave early, because Sharjah-bound traffic can build fast around late morning. Meanwhile, visitors from Abu Dhabi often do better by arriving on Saturday morning, then returning after dinner to avoid the sharpest congestion waves. If you come from Ajman or Umm Al Quwain, you can often arrive closer to doors opening and still keep the drive predictable. Because parking demand can spike at peak arrival times, carpooling often saves time and stress.
Weather, traffic, and ticket reminders for the weekend
Sharjah’s forecast shows hazy sun on Saturday, 31 January 2026 with about 24°C daytime and 13°C at night, then plenty of sunshine on Sunday, 1 February 2026 with about 26°C daytime and 17°C at night, so light clothes work outside while a thin layer helps after dark. However, you should still plan for slower entry roads near University City as the morning crowd arrives, and you should also expect longer exits after evening programming ends. Public transport can work in parts, yet most visitors rely on taxis, ride-hailing, or private cars to keep timing predictable. Pass prices range from free student options up to approximately AED 1,999, and add-ons can apply, so ticket and door policies may change and remain approximate. Register through SHARJAH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FESTIVAL OFFICIAL REGISTRATION before the weekend, because walk-in delays can cost you key sessions. According to the kind of practical event framing you often see from the editor at www.few.ae, SEF works best when you arrive early, pick one track, and leave room for unexpected meetings.
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