Business sector leaders: The UAE has strong capabilities to establish global technology companies
Sharjah, 31 January / WAM / The activities of the first day of the “Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026”, which was launched today at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, witnessed a program full of sessions and events hosted by the festival’s regions and its various platforms, including two sessions that discussed the world of investment and capital and the factors affecting the investment landscape, as well as the requirements of executive leadership in the business environment in the Middle East region and ways to keep pace with transformations and build meaningful and sustainable growth.
The Founders Platform hosted a session entitled “What will the next year look like for capital” with the participation of Christos Mastoras, Founder and Managing Partner of Eliad Partners, Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer of Injaz Capital, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Managing Partner of Wild VC, and Tushar Singhvi, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Crescent Enterprises.
Speakers at the session pointed out that the increasing interest of global investors in the region is evidence of the maturity of its capital system and that the focus is no longer limited to building the system from within, but rather on creating investment bridges with global markets, especially Europe.
They pointed out that the region is still in the early stages of building an artificial intelligence system, but it possesses strong components that include low-cost energy, an advanced regulatory environment, government support, and educational institutions capable of graduating high-tech talents.
They noted that linking the region to global innovation centers and investing in competencies is the primary driver for transforming the Gulf region into an influential force in artificial intelligence.
The speakers emphasized that the UAE has strong capabilities to build highly advanced technology and artificial intelligence companies thanks to the richness of data, investment in infrastructure and computing capabilities, and its geographical location that facilitates access to the markets of Asia, Africa, and the Global South.
They pointed out that there are promising opportunities in new sectors that are in line with government budget priorities, such as artificial intelligence, medical technology, and biotechnology, pointing out that the current stage provides the founder of companies with an important opportunity to build viable business models.
The Impact Platform hosted a session entitled “Inside the CEO Role: What Growth Requires,” with the participation of Ambareen Moussa, CEO of Revolut for the GCC region, Hamad Al Hajri, founder and CEO of Sununu, Dr. Tariq Bin Hindi, board member of Astra Tech and CEO of Botem, Mohamed Khudairi, CEO of Bank of Sharjah, and Karim Benkirane, CEO of Commercial Affairs at du and member of the board of directors of du Pay.
The speakers reviewed the roles of the CEO, which include constant presence, understanding the challenges facing the team, and providing advice and support to employees.
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