SBWC Empowers UAE Women Entrepreneurs at Expand North Star 2025
The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) has launched a special opportunity for women entrepreneurs in the UAE. The council is now accepting applications from female-led startups to take part in Expand North Star 2025 in Dubai.
This initiative gives women founders a chance to showcase their businesses at one of the world’s largest startup and investor events. It is designed to promote female innovation, attract funding, and connect women leaders to global opportunities.
Expand North Star 2025: A Global Stage for Startups
Expand North Star is a world-class event for entrepreneurs, startups, and investors. It is organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, in partnership with GITEX Global.
The event will be held from October 12 to 15, 2025, at Dubai Harbour. Now in its 10th year, it brings together thousands of innovators, venture capitalists, and business leaders from over 100 countries.
For UAE startups, this event offers unmatched exposure and the chance to connect with investors and industry leaders. For women-led businesses, it is a chance to step onto the global stage and present their ideas to a massive audience.
Eight Female Startups Will Get Full Sponsorship
Under this program, eight female founders from the UAE will be chosen. Each winner will get:
- A fully sponsored exhibition pod at Expand North Star.
- The chance to showcase their business to thousands of visitors and investors.
- Automatic entry into the Supernova Challenge, the world’s largest startup pitch competition.
The Supernova Challenge is one of the biggest highlights of the event. It offers a $214,000 prize pool, with the top prize worth $100,000. Importantly, all grants are equity-free, meaning winners keep full ownership of their companies.
This opportunity ensures that female innovators in the UAE are not only seen but also have a chance to scale globally.
SBWC’s Mission to Empower Women
Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, explained why this program is important. She said the council’s goal is to push Emirati and UAE-based women entrepreneurs into global markets.
“By supporting our members at Expand North Star, we are giving them the chance to grow, learn, and succeed internationally,” she said.
Her words highlight SBWC’s mission to empower women as future leaders of innovation. It is not just about attending an event. It is about opening doors to global recognition and leadership opportunities for female entrepreneurs.
Who Can Apply?
The application process is clear and open to all UAE-based women founders. To qualify, startups must meet the following rules:
- The applicant must be the founder or co-founder of the startup.
- The business must be licensed and operating for less than five years.
- The startup must be headquartered in the UAE.
- The founder must be an SBWC member (membership can be applied for during registration).
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. The committee will look at:
- Innovation in product or service.
- The market potential of the business.
- The strength of the business model.
- Current growth and traction.
- The capability of the team.
Interested women entrepreneurs can apply online through the official SBWC portal here: https://shorturl.at/E9KV7.
More Chances to Win Beyond the Main Prize
Apart from the Supernova Challenge, winners will also be able to compete in two other competitions:
- Sustainability Leaders Pitch Competition – A $10,000 award for startups focused on environmental and social change.
- Fintech & Blockchain Disruptor Award – A $10,000 grant for the most creative financial technology or blockchain solution.
These extra awards create more chances for women-led startups to win recognition and secure funding.
Why This Opportunity Matters for Women Founders
For women entrepreneurs in the UAE, Expand North Star 2025 is more than just an exhibition. It is a chance to:
- Meet global investors and venture capital firms.
- Pitch to audiences from over 100 countries.
- Gain access to international markets.
- Learn from expert-led panels, workshops, and mentorship sessions.
Being part of this platform means breaking barriers and proving that women-led startups can compete and thrive globally.
Sharjah Business Women Council: Building an Ecosystem
The Sharjah Business Women Council operates under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah.
SBWC has been a pillar of support for women in business. Its programs include:
- Training workshops to improve leadership and business skills.
- Networking events that connect female founders with investors.
- Mentorship programs that match entrepreneurs with industry experts.
- Advocacy and support to help women grow their companies.
Through these initiatives, SBWC has built a strong ecosystem where women in the UAE can thrive.
UAE’s Push for Female Entrepreneurship
The UAE is one of the world’s best places for women entrepreneurs. Recent global studies show that women in the UAE are highly active in business and innovation.
Government-backed initiatives, business councils, and events like Expand North Star all contribute to this success. By creating these platforms, the UAE ensures women entrepreneurs get equal opportunities to grow their businesses internationally.
Sharjah’s Vision for Women in Innovation
Sharjah has long been a leader in supporting women in education, culture, and entrepreneurship. The emirate is fast becoming a hub for female-led startups.
SBWC’s sponsorship of women founders at Expand North Star shows this vision in action. It sends a clear message: female innovation is central to Sharjah’s growth story.
This program also supports the UAE’s wider mission of building a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation.
Inspiring the Next Generation
By opening the door to Expand North Star, SBWC is not only supporting today’s entrepreneurs. It is also inspiring the next generation of young Emirati women to take part in technology, leadership, and innovation.
This kind of exposure shows future leaders that there are no limits to what women can achieve in business and technology.
