The UAE’s bold target of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 underscores its dedication to confronting climate change head-on. The nation’s SME-driven economy plays a pivotal role in realizing this goal, and the ongoing participation of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) at COP28 showcases how innovative startups committed to sustainability are paving the way for this envisioned future.
A visit to the Sheraa exhibition shines a spotlight on five remarkable disruptors from around the world: Candam Technologies, Green Future Project (GFP), Kyma, Manhat, and Leukeather. These startups introduce pioneering technologies and ideas swiftly putting sustainability into action.
Among the showcased startups at the Sheraa exhibition in the Green Zone until December 12, Candam Technologies and GFP, winners of Sheraa’s Access Sharjah Challenge 2023, received AED 500K worth of support for proof-of-concept implementation and expansion in Sharjah. This year’s global challenge, endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, aligns with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability initiative and features leading partners like BEEAH Group and Sharjah Sustainable City (SSC).
Candam Technologies addresses waste management through affordable tech-driven Return and Earn initiatives, efficiently identifying and sorting various packaging materials to contribute to a circular economy. Green Future Project, a homegrown startup, has developed a comprehensive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution for ESG reporting and sustainable practices, allowing businesses to monitor, reduce, and offset their carbon footprint in real-time.
Joining them are Kyma, offering an eco-friendly surface cleaner in tablet form to promote reusing and refilling spray bottles; Manhat, focusing on sustainable water technologies by utilizing naturally evaporating water to address water and food security; and Leukeather, presenting a vegetal leather alternative, showcasing the potential for sustainable and ethical fashion.
Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, expresses pride in these startups, emphasizing Sheraa’s role as a catalyst for transformative ideas. The showcased startups at COP28 exemplify the impact of innovation meeting purpose, shaping a legacy of positive change. Sheraa, beyond being an incubator, stands at the forefront of empowering startups that prioritize a triple bottom line: people, planet, and prosperity.
Al Midfa invites aspiring change makers and innovators to join Sheraa in creating a sustainable future through entrepreneurship. Sheraa’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond an initiative; it is a core principle. By showcasing portfolio startups at COP28, Sheraa aims to not only highlight their success but also inspire a new generation of environmentally minded disruptors in the UAE.
COP28, uniting world leaders, businesses, scientists, and stakeholders, provides a global platform to address pressing environmental challenges. With over 70,000 delegates in attendance, the conference becomes a collaborative space to find solutions for climate change.
