Sharjah’s leading business advocates are shifting their focus from merely encouraging new business startups to fostering long-term, sustainable growth for women-led enterprises. According to Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi of the Sharjah Businesswomen Council (SBWC) and Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi of Sheraa, the current ecosystem often leaves founders stranded after the initial launch phase. They argue that to achieve true impact, the focus must now pivot toward securing significant procurement contracts, gaining access to growth-ready capital, and bridging the gap between early-stage traction and competitive market expansion.

For these leaders, the key to success lies in building professional networks and providing practical, commercial guidance that helps founders navigate the complexities of pricing, intellectual property, and scaling. By encouraging corporations to partner with and buy from women-owned businesses, the region can move beyond simple startup statistics to track real-world success, such as revenue growth and market penetration. As Al Nuaimi notes, the ultimate goal is to provide a support system that evolves alongside the entrepreneur, ensuring that as their ambitions grow, they have the mentorship, resources, and institutional trust necessary to compete at a global level.