On the opening day of the 9th Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF), the focus wasn’t on raising funds or global recognition—it was on patience, restraint, and building businesses that endure.
Rania Masri El Khatib, CEO of UAE athleisure brand The Giving Movement, encouraged founders to concentrate on their local markets first. “Stop trying to win New York before you have won your own neighborhood,” she said, highlighting the competitive edge of being a homegrown brand.
Panels echoed this approach, emphasizing that real value creation begins long before funding is secured. Experts like Peji Kanani (Carta) and Karolos Travassaros (Emirates Growth Fund) explained that fundraising is a milestone, not the ultimate goal, and founders must align culture, decision-making, and strategy from the very first meeting with investors.
Founders, including Brooke Bellamy (Brooki) and Ahmad Al Saif (Alefredo EdTech), shared practical lessons on disciplined growth—testing ideas locally, fostering community-driven brands, and maintaining transparent communication with investors. Investors also warned against letting capital create a false sense of progress, stressing the importance of strategic investment, protecting core operations, and focusing on long-term value.
The overarching message of SEF 2026 was clear: build locally before thinking globally, grow with discipline, align values with investors, and remember that money accelerates growth but does not replace it.
