Sharjah launches global challenge to revolutionise education with Dh500,000 prize

Sharjah: The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has opened applications for the seventh edition of the Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC), calling on global education startups to help reshape how we learn. This year’s edition, launched on July 7, 2025, zeroes in on the education sector—with a special focus on building skills for the future and nurturing love for the Arabic language from an early age.

With a prize pool of Dh 500,000, the challenge invites innovative startups from around the world to bring forward solutions that make learning more effective, inclusive, and future-ready. Startups with working prototypes and ambitions to scale are encouraged to apply by August 17.

The initiative supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, which aims to create an education system that fuels knowledge, creativity, and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

Real solutions for real schools

Winners of the challenge will have the chance to test their solutions in actual classrooms across Sharjah, including Alsedra Private School, Khalifah Al Hamzah American School, Pakistan Islamia Higher Secondary School, and Al Badee Nursery. Two selected startups will each receive Dh 250,000, with support to implement their ideas in partnership with Sharjah’s education leaders.

Organized in collaboration with the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and the Sharjah Education Academy (SEA), this year’s challenge addresses two major themes:

• Future-ready skills challenge: Helping students build digital and core life skills to succeed in tomorrow’s job market.

• Arabic in early childhood challenge: Encouraging young children to connect with the Arabic language as a key part of their identity, not just a tool for communication.

A collective effort for change

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, described the challenge as “a platform where bold ideas meet real opportunity.”

“We believe innovation must serve people. Through ASC 2025, we’re inviting the world’s best education startups to work with us in Sharjah—where we have a strong foundation, great collaboration between public and private sectors, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning,” she said.

Ali Al Hosani, Director General of SPEA, echoed this vision. He said the challenge reflects a new way of thinking—one where education must adapt quickly to prepare students for a fast-changing world.

“Innovation isn’t optional anymore. It’s how we build a better future,” he said, adding that SPEA played a key role in shaping the Future-Ready Skills Challenge.

Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy, Chancellor of Sharjah Education Academy, emphasized the cultural mission behind the second theme. “We’re proud to launch the ‘Arabic in Early Childhood’ challenge, because language is more than words—it’s how we connect to our roots, our culture, and our community,” she said.

The academy aims to make Arabic fun and meaningful in everyday activities, involving families, educators, and entire learning environments in the process.

Who can apply?

The challenge is open to education startups worldwide that have already worked with governments or corporations and have scalable, impact-driven solutions. Applicants must show strong leadership, user traction, and a willingness to grow their presence in Sharjah.

From thousands of applications, 10 startups will be shortlisted through a two-step process—first based on criteria like product readiness and market fit, then through interviews focused on local relevance and growth potential.

From pitch to pilot

Shortlisted startups will go through intensive preparation in August, including:

• Champions Training (August 20): To train local education leaders in mentoring and guiding the implementation phase.

• Startup Readiness Sprint (August 27–28): To help teams fine-tune their ideas and prepare for live collaboration.

At the end of the sprint, startups will pitch to a panel of education experts, government partners, and investors. The top two winners will receive an equity-free grant of Dh 250,000 each to roll out their ideas in Sharjah schools.

The pilot phase begins September 22, 2025, offering real classrooms as test beds for innovation. Throughout the program, teams will receive feedback, mentorship, and support to scale.

The journey ends with a showcase of results at the Sharjah International Summit on Improvement in Education, scheduled for February 14–15, 2026, where the winning startups will be celebrated.