UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, H.E. Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, and Khabib Nurmagomedov To Take Centre Stage at SEF 2026
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Under the theme ‘Where We Belong’, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2026 will take place on January 31 and February 1 at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK).
Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), SEF 2026 will convene founders alongside investors, creatives, policymakers and industry leaders, and an expected audience of 14,000 attendees.
The headline speakers for SEF 2026 include Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC mixed martial artist-turned- entrepreneur; Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Chairman of Alsara Group and Chairman of Bidayat; Mounaz Abdel Raouf, co-founder of Okhtein; Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group; Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet’s ‘X moonshot factory’ (Formally Google X); Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises; Kartik Renjen, Head of Startups, AWS, and Anas Bukhash, founder of Bukhash Brothers, alongside a notable group of industry leaders and innovators.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s session ‘The Making of a Champion: What it Takes to be Undefeated’ will be moderated by Anas Bukhash, drawing on the former’s experience transitioning from elite sport to business and mentorship. The UFC Hall of Famer’s participation reflects the festival’s focus on long-term thinking, discipline, and leadership.
SEF 2026 will also welcome Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Mounaz Abdel Raouf and Patrick Chalhoub. Together, they will examine how luxury, identity, creativity, and commerce are impacting the next generation of region-born global brands.
The former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet’s ‘X moonshot factory’ (Formally Google X), Mo Gawdat, is an authority on technology, innovation and mental wellness who has inspired millions globally, will bridge the gap between human potential and technological advancement, offering a blueprint for creating impactful ventures.
Meanwhile, technology and the fate of entrepreneurship in the region will be addressed in a session led by Kartik Renjen. Titled ‘What’s Next for AI Startups in MENA’, the session will study emerging opportunities and responsibilities for founders in one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystems.
Addressing enterprises at scale, Badr Jafar will join the program to share insights shaped by global business, investment, and social impact. His session will explore how organizations are evolving in response to global challenges and interconnected markets.
Under the theme ‘Where We Belong’, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2026 will take place on January 31 and February 1 at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK).
Organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), SEF 2026 will convene founders alongside investors, creatives, policymakers and industry leaders, and an expected audience of 14,000 attendees.
The headline speakers for SEF 2026 include Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC mixed martial artist-turned- entrepreneur; Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Chairman of Alsara Group and Chairman of Bidayat; Mounaz Abdel Raouf, co-founder of Okhtein; Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group; Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet’s ‘X moonshot factory’ (Formally Google X); Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises; Kartik Renjen, Head of Startups, AWS, and Anas Bukhash, founder of Bukhash Brothers, alongside a notable group of industry leaders and innovators.
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s session ‘The Making of a Champion: What it Takes to be Undefeated’ will be moderated by Anas Bukhash, drawing on the former’s experience transitioning from elite sport to business and mentorship. The UFC Hall of Famer’s participation reflects the festival’s focus on long-term thinking, discipline, and leadership.
SEF 2026 will also welcome Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Mounaz Abdel Raouf and Patrick Chalhoub. Together, they will examine how luxury, identity, creativity, and commerce are impacting the next generation of region-born global brands.
The former Chief Business Officer of Alphabet’s ‘X moonshot factory’ (Formally Google X), Mo Gawdat, is an authority on technology, innovation and mental wellness who has inspired millions globally, will bridge the gap between human potential and technological advancement, offering a blueprint for creating impactful ventures.
Meanwhile, technology and the fate of entrepreneurship in the region will be addressed in a session led by Kartik Renjen. Titled ‘What’s Next for AI Startups in MENA’, the session will study emerging opportunities and responsibilities for founders in one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystems.
Addressing enterprises at scale, Badr Jafar will join the program to share insights shaped by global business, investment, and social impact. His session will explore how organizations are evolving in response to global challenges and interconnected markets.
