Forget Lemonade Stands: SEF 2026 is Giving Dhs 10k to a Kid Entrepreneur

Most parents spend a fortune entertaining their kids. The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026) is offering a rare chance for your child to actually bring some money into the house and experience youth entrepreneurship firsthand.

The festival returns to the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) later this month. For the first time, it features a dedicated zone for children aged 7 to 12 called 'Sharjah’s Little Founders', a brilliant initiative for Sharjah kids entrepreneurship.

If your kid has better business ideas than you do, read on. The application window is short, and the prize money is decent.

What to Expect: Pitching, Not Playing

This isn't just a play area to dump the kids while you network. The 'Little Founders' zone is structured like a mini accelerator.

Organised by Sheraa, the program selects 10 applicants to join the inaugural cohort. These young founders in the UAE don't just show up; they get a booth to showcase their ideas and attend a prep workshop. It culminates in a Pitch Competition on the main stage, serving as a mini youth innovation festival.

The format is simple but high-pressure:

• 5-minute pitch
• 5-minute Q&A with judges
• Showcasing at a dedicated booth

The winner takes home Dhs 10,000 and a family staycation at a Shurooq property. It’s a solid start for a piggy bank. Even if they don't win the cash, three runners-up get trophies, and everyone gets a certificate.

Dates & Deadlines

The timeline is tight. The festival itself is at the end of the month, but if you want your child in the competition, you need to move now.

Application Deadline: January 18, 2026
Festival Dates: January 31 – February 1, 2026

You can apply via the Sharjah’s Little Founders website.

For the rest of us, SEF 2026 promises around 300 speakers and an expected turnout of 14,000 people. It’s one of the biggest startup events in the region, showcasing not just established ventures but also fostering youth entrepreneurship in the UAE through initiatives like Little Founders. If you follow how the UAE is pushing for global innovation, this is where you see it on the ground level.

Tickets & Pricing

As of writing, general admission ticket prices for SEF 2026 haven't been released. In previous years, tickets were reasonably priced for the value provided, but we'll update this once official figures drop.

Applying for the Little Founders program appears to be free based on the initial announcement, but requires a submission form detailing the child's idea.

Here is the breakdown of the Little Founders competition:

Getting There

The event is at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). If you're coming from Dubai, factor in the Sharjah traffic, although the location near University City is generally easier to access than the city centre.

Parking is usually available on-site, but with 14,000 attendees expected, arriving early is smart. If you're interested in regional success stories like Careem, this venue is often where the next generation of **young founders in the UAE** hang out.

EVENT INFO

Event: Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2026)
Dates: Saturday, Jan 31 – Sunday, Feb 1, 2026
Location: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK)
Tickets: General pricing TBC
Website: sharjahef.com

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