**United Arab Emirates**: Young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 34 dominate social enterprises, with 80% supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sheraa fosters startups through tailored programmes, partnerships, and global competitions, empowering youth to marry profit with purpose and address global challenges like climate change and inclusivity.
The landscape of entrepreneurship is witnessing a significant shift as younger generations, particularly millennials and Generation Z, are forging new paths that prioritise sustainability and social impact alongside business success. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024 highlights how these demographics are redefining traditional success models by integrating ethical practices and policies, thereby influencing economic activities positively on a global scale.
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this trend is especially pronounced within the social entrepreneurship sector. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa), shared insights with Khaleej Times about the current state of youth-led entrepreneurship in the region. She revealed that 47 per cent of social entrepreneurs in the UAE fall within the 18 to 34 age bracket. Significantly, about 80 per cent of these entrepreneurs operate at moderate to high levels, providing products and services that actively support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Al Nuaimi explained that younger entrepreneurs are deeply committed to addressing global challenges such as climate change and technological disruption. These entrepreneurs are empowered by unprecedented access to information and digital tools, enabling them to pursue ventures that go beyond mere profit, focusing instead on legacy and long-term societal impact. This shift is evident in the increasing number of businesses founded on principles like inclusivity and environmental stewardship, thereby transforming the culture and purpose of enterprise.
Regarding readiness, Al Nuaimi expressed strong confidence in the ambition and drive of young entrepreneurs. She referenced a Microsoft survey indicating that 48 per cent of Generation Z individuals engage in multiple side projects, showcasing their passion and risk-taking mentality. A Deloitte survey further underscores this demographic’s inclination to integrate purpose with profession, with 86 per cent prioritising purpose for their well-being and half willing to leave roles misaligned with their ethical beliefs.
Sheraa’s support framework is tailored to the unique mindset of young entrepreneurs, characterised by adaptability, digital proficiency, a preference for purpose-driven work, innovation focus, and a commitment to work-life balance. This understanding informs the design of specialised programmes aimed at fostering entrepreneurial culture and equipping founders for real-world challenges.
One flagship programme is the Sheraa Startup Dojo, an intensive three-month annual initiative targeting university students and recent graduates. It offers hands-on experience, transforming ideas into full business plans through mentorship from seasoned innovators and entrepreneurs. Another significant initiative is the Sharjah Access Challenge, a global competition attracting over 2,200 startups in 2024 alone, focusing on agritech and livestock health solutions that advance sustainability in critical sectors like health, education, and food security.
Sheraa also integrates entrepreneurship into academia by establishing incubators at the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, further cultivating the entrepreneurial ecosystem among young people.
In addition to programme support, Sheraa facilitates partnerships between startups and both the public and private sectors while providing platforms connecting entrepreneurs with investors. Access to capital remains a formidable barrier for startups worldwide, with a World Bank study identifying a $5.2 trillion funding gap affecting 65 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF), the region’s largest event of its kind, plays a critical role in bridging this gap by linking entrepreneurs with global leaders, investors, and experts, facilitating exposure to market trends and business models from around the world.
When asked for guidance to young entrepreneurs, Al Nuaimi emphasised the importance of identifying and solving problems innovatively and authentically. She highlighted the necessity of market immersion to gain deep customer insights and the value of flexibility and adaptability in responding to new developments. Networking and building strong partnerships were also underscored as vital, with referenced data from Al Qafilah magazine revealing that 84 per cent of opportunities come from personal connections and networking. She concluded by reminding founders that while their ideas might have world-changing potential, the entrepreneurial journey itself is one of personal growth and development.
This comprehensive approach by Sheraa exemplifies how the UAE is nurturing its young entrepreneurial talent to not only succeed financially but also to contribute meaningfully to societal and environmental progress.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gemconsortium.org/reports/latest-global-report – This URL links to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024/2025 Global Report which provides comprehensive data showing how younger generations are redefining entrepreneurship by integrating ethical practices and positively influencing economic activities globally, supporting the article’s claim about millennials and Gen Z reshaping entrepreneurship with sustainability and social impact focus.
- https://khaleejtimes.com/business/uae-social-entrepreneurs-young-generation-impact – This source contains insights and statistics on the UAE’s social entrepreneurship sector, including Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi’s statement that 47% of social entrepreneurs in the UAE are aged 18 to 34 and that around 80% operate at moderate to high levels providing products and services aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, corroborating the article’s specifics about youth-led social entrepreneurship in the UAE.
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/generation-z – This Microsoft survey highlights that 48% of Generation Z are involved in multiple side projects, demonstrating their passion and risk-taking mentality, which aligns with Al Nuaimi’s reference to Gen Z’s entrepreneurial drive mentioned in the article.
- https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/generation-purpose.html – Deloitte’s research on Generation Z shows that 86% prioritize purpose in their work and half are willing to leave roles that conflict with their ethical beliefs, supporting the article’s claim about younger entrepreneurs integrating purpose with their profession.
- https://sheraa.ae/startup-dojo – This page details Sheraa’s Startup Dojo program, describing its three-month intensive structure for university students and recent graduates, mentorship offerings, and focus on transforming ideas into viable business plans, supporting the article’s description of Sheraa’s flagship entrepreneurship program.
- https://worldbank.org/en/topic/smefinance/brief/financing-small-and-medium-enterprises – This World Bank resource outlines the $5.2 trillion funding gap affecting 65 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries, corroborating the article’s mention of worldwide financial barriers for startups and the need for initiatives like the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival to bridge these gaps.
- https://news.google.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?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references the ‘Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024’ and data from 2024 initiatives, confirming currency. There is no indication of recycled or outdated news; all statistics and programmes are recent and relevant to 2024.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes attributed to Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, and references to Microsoft and Deloitte surveys appear original and specific to this context. The earliest known references to these quotes are consistent with this 2024 timeframe, suggesting authenticity without evident reuse from older content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is associated with Khaleej Times, a reputable regional publication with recognised standing in UAE media, lending reliability. Some survey references come from established organisations like Microsoft, Deloitte, and the World Bank, enhancing trustworthiness.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about youth entrepreneurship trends, Sheraa’s programmes, and statistical data align with known developments in the UAE’s growing start-up ecosystem. The focus on sustainability and social impact is consistent with global entrepreneurial shifts. No implausible or unverifiable assertions detected.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a timely and well-substantiated overview of youth-driven social entrepreneurship in the UAE, supported by recent 2024 data and credible organisational references. The quotes appear authentic, and the information aligns with known regional trends and initiatives, justifying a high confidence in accuracy and freshness.
