Access Sharjah Challenge (ASC)
Sheraa (Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center) · Gov proof-of-concept challenge
$68KAED 250,000 (~$68k) proof-of-concept contract + $1M+ in partner perks
Growth-stage startups compete to win a paid PoC contract with Sharjah government entities, plus perks and licensing support.
Key terms
- Open to international and local startups; no participation fee
- No Sharjah license needed to apply; winners must obtain and keep one for at least 2 years (Sheraa helps at a discounted rate)
- Best fit: Series A/B with a UAE expansion plan and government/corporate track record
- Sector focus changes each edition (2025: education, PoC with SPEA/SEA)
- 2025 cycle closed 17 Aug 2025; next cycle not yet published
Eligibility
- Where
- Worldwide
- Stages
- seed, series-a, growth
- Needs VC/accelerator backing
- No
- Needs partner referral code
- No
- Must be incorporated
- Yes
- AI focus required
- No
- Students / researchers
- Not eligible
- Nonprofits
- Not eligible
How to apply
Sign up for notifications on asc.sheraa.ae and apply when the next cycle opens (2025 window: Jul-Aug).
- Benefit
- mixed
- Equity-free
- Yes
- Decision time
- —
- Credit validity
- —
- Deadline
- Annual cycle (2025 closed 17 Aug 2025; 2026 not announced)
- Status
- Paused — next round TBA
Verified 2026-10-23 · source