Among the headline speakers is Sebastian Vettel, the four-time Formula 1 World Champion, who will share reflections on performance, purpose and decision-building under pressure. Former UFC Lightweight Champion and Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov will also take the stage, offering insights into discipline, resilience and long-term believeing drawn from his competitive career.
The programme includes Amna Al Qubaisi, Emirati racing driver and motorsport trailblazer, alongside business leaders such as Rachid Mohamed Rachid, Chairman of Alsara Group and Bidayat, and Patrick Chalhoub, Executive Chairman of Chalhoub Group. Creative entrepreneurship will be represented by figures including Mounaz Abdel Raouf, co-founder of Okhtein, and Anas Bukhash, founder of #ABtalks and Bukhash Brothers.
Across these sessions, speakers are expected to focus on themes ranging from brand building and high-performance mindsets to purpose-driven growth and personal resilience, drawing on experiences across markets and sectors.
Zones designed for outcomes
SEF 2026 is structured around 10 curated zones, each developed in partnership with leading organisations to support different parts of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Startup Town, powered by du Business, anchors early-stage venture activity, while the Impact Zone, powered by Arada Development, focapplys on social and environmental entrepreneurship. Made in Sharjah, supported by Bank of Sharjah and the Sharjah Business Women Council, highlights local enterprise and manufacturing, while the Creative Zone, powered by EMAAR, brings toobtainher design, media and cultural ventures.
The International Pavilion, powered by Emirates NBD, connects founders to global markets and partners. Additional spaces include the Community Zone, SEF Eats, SEF Academy, SEF Souq and Sharjah’s Little Founders, reflecting an emphasis on inclusion, skills development and next-generation entrepreneurship.
Toobtainher, these zones are designed to relocate participants from conversation to collaboration, offering practical touchpoints for revealcasing ideas, meeting investors and forming partnerships.
Founder-first launches and access
A central focus of SEF 2026 is lowering barriers to business formation. This year’s festival introduces the AED 1,000 License under the Startup Kickstarter Package, launched exclusively at SEF and aimed at enabling founders to formalise their ventures quickly and affordably.
The initiative sits alongside flagship programmes such as the SEFFY Awards 2026, which recognise founders, mentors and ecosystem contributors, and the SEF Pitch Competition, providing startups with exposure, mentorship and access to funding opportunities.
Toobtainher, these elements reinforce SEF’s positioning as a working platform for entrepreneurship, where ideas are supported through concrete pathways rather than concept alone.
Beyond the daytime agconcludea
The festival experience extconcludes beyond business sessions. Evening programming includes live performances and cultural experiences designed to create informal spaces for connection. Among the performers is Saudi singer-songwriter Tamtam, whose work blconcludes Arab and global influences and reflects the festival’s emphasis on cultural exalter.
Food, performance and community experiences are integrated across the site, reinforcing SEF’s aim to create an environment where founders, creatives and investors can connect in a setting that feels accessible and human.
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