Why Sharjah can serve as a 'great incubator' for start-ups

The emirate has the potential to become a thriving hub for entrepreneurship by capitalising on its cultural heritage and embracing the changing economic landscape

The Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah. The emirate's cosmopolitan society is a mosaic of diverse cultures. Pawan Singh / The National

Sharjah, known for its cultural heritage, is now embracing the entrepreneurial revolution.

While replicating the success of Silicon Valley may be unrealistic, the emirate has the potential to become a “great incubator” by fostering its own unique territorial competitiveness.

Through my extensive research on family businesses and entrepreneurship in Sharjah, I have identified key areas where the government can drive growth and shape the future ecosystem.

Cultural and institutional changes

To pave the way for entrepreneurship, Sharjah must shift its business culture, which stemmed from a resource-based economy, towards one that encourages innovation and risk-taking.

This entails introducing societal incentives that reward entrepreneurship, foster competition and embrace failure.

By shaping a culture that values and supports entrepreneurship, Sharjah can lay the foundation for a thriving knowledge-based economy.

Attracting, developing and retaining talent

Attracting talent goes beyond recruiting white-collar professionals to fill organisational positions. Sharjah must open its doors to the best minds seeking opportunities for their ideas.

The institutional system should support creativity, nurture ambitions and recognise the social and economic contributions of talented people.

Additionally, the educational system needs to evolve from a degree-orientated approach to an integrated institution that aligns with the demands of a knowledge-based economy.

Breaking societal fragmentation

Sharjah's cosmopolitan society is a mosaic of diverse cultures but this diversity remains fragmented across the entrepreneurial process.

To unlock the full potential of cultural, educational and knowledge diversity, strong ties formed with familial, national, and gender boundaries that impede the exchange of business ideas must be dismantled.

By fostering weak ties across individuals, the exchange of information, collaborative efforts and the exploration of opportunities can thrive, benefitting the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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  VeggiTech quality manager Ghazal Shafiee holds a saffron bulb at the company's farm in Sharjah. All photos: Antonie Robertson / The National

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  The agricultural technology company has cultivated about 150,000 crocus sativa bulbs from the Netherlands, growing them at a vertical farm in the emirate's Al Zubair district.

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  Each kilogram sells for $850 to $1,100.

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  Ms Shafiee says saffron is a sensitive crop to grow and 'not everyone has the knowledge required to cultivate saffron in this way'.

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  Saffron is known as red gold due to its high price.

Engaging local family businesses

While family businesses have been the backbone of Sharjah's economic growth under the resource-based model, the next generation of family business leaders must adapt and embrace their role in the evolving economic landscape.

Instead of solely relying on philanthropic actions, families should use their knowledge, networks and wealth to actively participate in the entrepreneurial movement.

By integrating family businesses into the broader ecosystem, Sharjah can capitalise on their unique strengths and drive innovation.

Sharjah has the potential to become a thriving centre for entrepreneurship by capitalising on its cultural heritage and embracing the changing economic landscape.

By introducing institutional changes, attracting and nurturing talent, breaking societal fragmentation, and engaging local family businesses, Sharjah can create the foundations of a “great incubator”.

This will not only drive economic growth but also position the emirate as a dynamic player in the national and global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Prof Rodrigo Basco holds the Sheikh Saoud bin Khalid bin Khalid Al-Qassimi chair in family business at the American University of Sharjah and is chairman of the Step Project Global Consortium