Priority is given to founders who are based in or operating in Sharjah.For applicants based outside Sharjah, we require a credible plan to establish or expand your presence in Sharjah — through pilots, partnerships, licensing, or company setup — as well as the ability to attend in-person sessions and events throughout the fellowship.

No! SWIF is fully sponsored through our partners; there’s no program fee charged to Fellows. Currently, all our flagship programs are designed to be equity-free and fee-free, lowering barriers for founders to access support.

No! SWIF does not take equity in your venture. Our programs have a long track record of supporting founders without requiring equity, focusing instead on mentorship, access, and market pathways.

English. If you prefer to communicate in Arabic at any point, the fellowship team will support you, and we strive to source bilingual mentors/trainers where possible.

Yes! Solo founders are welcome. SWIF assesses leadership potential, venture momentum, and the ability to contribute to and grow within the cohort community. What matters is not the size of your team, but your commitment to your own leadership development and the impact you are building.

Please disclose any overlaps. SWIF involves core on-site gatherings and a steady weekly cadence; we expect full commitment to the SWIF calendar to protect the quality of your experience (and your cohort’s).

Time commitment varies across the program. Active workshop months involve between half a day and two full days of in-person sessions per month, plus 1–2 hours per week for accountability check-ins and peer circles. February is intentionally light in observance of Ramadan. Overall, the program is designed to be intensive but manageable — concentrated in sessions rather than spread across every week.

SWIF 2026 is designed for women who are actively running a venture — whether you are an SME founder building a stable, sustainable business or a startup founder with early traction looking to scale. What matters most is not your stage, but your readiness to invest in your own leadership growth and take your venture to the next level. If you are at the idea stage with no customers, revenue, or validation yet, SWIF may not be the right fit at this time. We encourage you to build your foundation first and reapply in a future cohort.

Yes! Guidance and ecosystem access are part of the SWIF experience. Fellows receive targeted introductions to government and regulatory partners and may access legal and company setup support through Sheraa's broader ecosystem. The level of support available will vary depending on each venture's specific needs and partner availability.

Travel and accommodation are not covered. Details on logistics support (if any) are shared with shortlisted candidates and can vary by partner commitments and session locations.

Tell us in your application. We will work with you to reasonably accommodate accessibility needs and family/caregiving realities where possible (e.g., advance scheduling, hybrid options for non-critical sessions).

No, deferrals are very rare and considered case-by-case, depending on cohort design and calendar constraints. If unforeseen circumstances arise, discuss them promptly with the fellowship team via swif@sheraa.ae.

You’ll join the SWIF alumni community within Sheraa’s broader community network, continuing access to ecosystem opportunities. Our programs regularly create post-program exposure (SEF, roadshows) and connection pathways.

Yes! SWIF fellows receive AED 3,000 reimbursement from Sheraa toward licensing costs in Sharjah.Fellows licensing through SPARK benefit from a discounted license at AED 3,000 for zero visa with VAT exemption, fully reimbursed by Sheraa. We are also happy to connect you with other Sharjah licensing entities, with the AED 3,000 reimbursement remaining applicable.