SHARJAH, 8th May, 2025 (WAM) -- The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) has announced the winners of the sixth edition of the "Access Sharjah Challenge", with two startups, NoorNation and Faunatech, each receiving AED250,000 as part of a total prize of AED500,000.
The sixth edition of the challenge witnessed unprecedented participation, attracting 2,207 applications from 24 countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Egypt, France, Argentina, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkiye, Oman, Germany, the Netherlands, Qatar, Brazil, and Palestine, among others.
The shortlist featured 11 companies competing for the top spot across two tracks: AgriTech and Livestock Health.
Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, said, "The Access Sharjah Challenge reflects a strategic approach focused on exploring innovative solutions to pressing global issues directly related to the needs and evolving challenges of modern societies. The sixth edition has reinforced Sharjah's position as a global hub for attracting ambitious talents and creative ideas that have a tangible impact across various sectors."
She added, "Supporting entrepreneurs at Sheraa is a fundamental part of a broader developmental vision aimed at establishing innovation as a primary driver of economic and social growth. We provide a comprehensive ecosystem that enables entrepreneurs to develop viable solutions and effectively contribute to building a more sustainable and resilient future."
Salem Abdullah Al Kaabi, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, said, "Our partnership in the Access Sharjah Challenge reflects our commitment to making innovation a central pillar in advancing the agriculture and livestock sectors by supporting practical solutions grounded in a precise understanding of challenges."
He added, "The winning solutions have demonstrated the potential of modern technologies to bring about a significant transformation in agricultural resource management, enhance livestock productivity, and strengthen sustainable food security. Working with our strategic partners to activate these solutions will help build a smart and resilient agricultural model that aligns with the UAE's aspirations for a more sustainable and innovative economy."
In the AgriTech track, Sheraa invited startups to present solutions addressing the challenge of sustainable irrigation amid water scarcity under the theme: "How can we provide water in an innovative, scalable way without overburdening farmers?" Meanwhile, the Livestock Health track focused on innovations in monitoring, preventive care, and medication delivery under the theme: "How can we maintain the health of livestock?"
NoorNation won the challenge in the AgriTech track, presenting its innovative "LifeBox" system, a solar-powered, standalone water desalination and pumping solution. The system is designed to address water challenges by providing clean water for irrigation, drinking, and livestock support. Equipped with advanced remote monitoring and control technology, LifeBox aims to serve the Middle East and North Africa, reducing water costs, energy consumption, and carbon emissions by eliminating reliance on fuel-powered irrigation.
Ragy Ramadan, Founder and CEO of NoorNation, said, "Our collaboration with Sheraa and the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah has driven our growth as a team and an innovative startup. We are excited to see the positive impact that LifeBox can bring in terms of water provision, food security, and resilience for farms, communities, and industries in Sharjah and beyond."
Faunatech won in the Livestock Health track, presenting a smartphone-based diagnostic platform that ensures early detection of livestock diseases, particularly mastitis, which affects nearly 30 percent of dairy cows and buffaloes. The "Fauna SCC Test" connects to a smartphone to measure somatic cell counts in raw cow milk, enabling on-site diagnosis, improving milk quality, and reducing the use of antibiotics.
Rajat Pandya, Co-founder and CEO of Faunatech, said, "Winning the Access Sharjah Challenge is a significant milestone for Faunatech. It has provided us with a platform to introduce our innovative livestock health solutions in the UAE and the Middle East dairy market. We look forward to expanding our solutions regionally and internationally, leveraging Sharjah as our Middle East hub."
The Access Sharjah Challenge is an annual competition organised by Sheraa, inviting international startups to solve industry-specific challenges. Over the years, it has provided a platform for startups to showcase and scale their solutions in Sharjah, supporting visionary entrepreneurs and promoting innovation across various sectors.
