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Doubletree Hilton Sharjah
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SEF'26
AGENDA
Check out the sessions and connections that will shape the future of media, content and entertainment, bookmark your favourites, and don’t miss the future-shaping moments
31 JAN - 1 FEB 2026
SPARK, SHARJAH, UAE
REGISTER INTEREST
THEY ARE COMING
5000+ FOUNDERS
500+ VCS ARE JOINING
THEY ARE COMING
5000+ FOUNDERS
500+ VCS ARE JOINING
THEY ARE COMING
5000+ FOUNDERS
500+ VCS ARE JOINING
ALL SESSIONS
ALL SESSIONS
TALK
PANEL DISCUSSION
FIRESIDE CHAT
WORKSHOP
MASTERCLASS
ACTIVATION
PERFORMANCE
ALL TRACKS
ALL STAGES
ALL TRACKS
ALL STAGES
IMPACT
FOUNDERS
CREATIVE
COMMUNITY
SEF ACADEMY
SEF EATS
EXPRESSION ZONE
MADE IN SHARJAH
STARTUP TOWN
31 JAN
1 FEB
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Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
1:30 pm
-
2:00 pm
Because we are not Silicon Valley
Founders
SPEAKERs
Tambi Jalouqa
Founder & General Partner, Maza Ventures
49
Jehan Ara
Founder & CEO, Katalyst Labs
50
Prashant K. Gulati
Chairman Emeritus, TiE Dubai; Founder, The Smart Start Fund
2000
Jay Squalli
Director, Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development
2000
moderator
Jamil Shinawi
Co-Founder & CEO, AHOY
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
1:30 pm
-
2:00 pm
Creative Direction in the Middle East (Arabic)
Creative
SPEAKERs
Talal Mahmoud
Filmmaker, Actor & Writer
107
Hasan Aljaberi
Director, 71 Production
2000
Joe Al Khawand
Head of MENA Content Production, Yango Play
2000
moderator
Adel Helal
Founder & Creative Director, Tap2View
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
2:30 pm
Designing Education for Real Life
Founders
SPEAKERs
Arman Khederlarian
CEO & Co-Founder, Maharat
42
Hamdi Tabbaa
Co-Founder & CEO, Abwaab
45
Andy Coxall
Managing Director, EvolveCareers
2000
moderator
Alaa El Gamal
Founder & CEO, Bulbul
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
2:15 pm
Epic Motorcycle Journeys Around the World
Community
SPEAKERs
Fatima Alloghani
The First Emirati Woman Adventure Rider
69
moderator
No items found.
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
2:30 pm
Balancing Your Creative Instincts with Business Fundamentals
Creative
SPEAKERs
Ghizlan Guenez
Entrepreneur, Investor & Co-Founder, FForce
91
moderator
Anisha Joshi
Founder & CEO, Osteo Allies; International Speaker & Author
Fireside Chat
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
2:30 pm
The Future with AI and it's Impact on Human Connection
Impact
SPEAKERs
Mohamed Gawdat
Former Chief Business Officer, Google X
2000
moderator
Sanad Yaghi
Co-Founder, DTEK.ai
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
2:30 pm
-
3:00 pm
Hands Off, Systems On: Robotics Built for the Real World
Founders
SPEAKERs
Akhlad Alabhar
CEO, Egrobots
106
Salman Moghimi
Founder & CEO, Peyk
85
Eng. Yasmin Al Enazi
Program Director Factory Science, Maxbyte Technologies
2000
moderator
Najia Qazi
Founder, Sustainable Narrative
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
2:30 pm
-
3:00 pm
Strategic Hype: How to Build Brands Without Raising Millions
Community
SPEAKERs
Alexandra Carvalho
Founder & Creative Strategies, Alex's House of Social
2000
Lara Geadah
Founder & Head of PR, Cameo Comms
2000
Tala Alnounou
Head of Marketing & Research - MENA, LWK & PARTNERS
2000
Sophie Simpson
Managing Directorm, Ruder Finn Atteline
2000
moderator
Syed Bukhari
Head of Strategic Communications & Visibility, American University of Sharjah
Fireside Chat
Feb 1, 2026
2:30 pm
-
3:00 pm
The Making of a Champion: What it Takes to be Undefeated
Impact
SPEAKERs
Khabib Nurmagomedov
Undefeated Former UFC Champion
1
moderator
Anas Bukhash
Entrepreneur & Interviewer
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
3:00 pm
-
3:30 pm
Lessons Startups Can Borrow from the Giants
Founders
SPEAKERs
Ryan Restell
Chief Commercial Officer, Yango Play
25
Saman Jamal Darkan
Chief Product, Technology Officer & Co-Founder, Kitopi
2000
moderator
Olivia Dufour
Serial Entrepreneur & Startup Advisor, Neli.health
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
3:00 pm
-
3:30 pm
How to Build and Win in Niche Markets
Community
SPEAKERs
Omar Abuaisha
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Beech Undies
2000
Joey Chaaya
Co-Founder & CEO, PetBae
2000
Abdulilah Saad
Founder, Ajada
2000
moderator
Zahen Khan
CEO, Majama
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
3:30 pm
-
4:00 pm
Building Food Systems that Feed, not Fail
Founders
SPEAKERs
Edward Hamod
Founder & CEO, Switch Foods
49
Daniel Solomon
Founder & CEO, HeroGo
2000
Zaynab Elhaj
Co-Founder, Save Me
2000
Hachem Mahfoud
Founder & CEO, RBT Collective
99
moderator
Nadine Zidani
Founder & CEO, MENA Impact
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
3:30 pm
-
4:00 pm
A Discussion with Firsts: Pioneering in Sports & Athletics
Community
SPEAKERs
Manal Rostom
First Egyptian woman to Summit Everest, Vinson (in Antarctica) & Run The 6 World Marathon Majors.
33
moderator
Omar Al Duri
Radio Host, Pulse 95 Radio; Author, Wellbeing Coach & Uefa Licensed Football Coach
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
4:00 pm
-
4:30 pm
From Kitchen to Cash-Out: The F&B Exit Playbook
Community
SPEAKERs
Nadine Benchaffai
Co-Founder & Partner, Project People Dubai; Co-Founder & Partner, Fab Food Co
2000
Bader Ataya
Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Kitopi
9
moderator
Hiba AlMasoud
Founder & CEO, Scope
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
4:00 pm
-
4:30 pm
Co-Founding, Unfiltered: Roles, Power, and Trust
Founders
SPEAKERs
Majd Abu Zant
Managing Director & CEO, Global Fertility; Co-founder & Chairman, Ovasave
70
Dr. Ihsan Almarzooqi
Co-Founder & Managing Director, metabolic.health
90
Walid Shihabi
Co-founder & CSO, Keyper
110
moderator
Nuno Veloso
Founder & Integrative Coach, Dragon Within
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
4:30 pm
-
5:00 pm
Modernising the Cornerstone of Civilization: Technology in Agriculture & Sustainability
Founders
SPEAKERs
Dr. Azam Pasha
Co-Founder & CEO, Maalexi
68
Hassan Fayed
Founder & CEO, Aydi
2000
Alp Katalan
MENA Commercial Lead, Desolenator
136
moderator
Olivia Dufour
Serial Entrepreneur & Startup Advisor, Neli.health
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
4:30 pm
-
5:00 pm
Rise of Social Wellness
Community
SPEAKERs
Naomi Mendez
CMO, Emirates Hospitality Group; Founder, Storm Cycling & Wellness Enterpreneur
92
Harith Al Midfa
Co-Founder & CEO, Recovery Island
2000
moderator
Matthew King
Director of Corporate Sales, Privilee
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
5:00 pm
-
5:30 pm
AI - CyberSecurity's Biggest Threat, or Opportunity?
Founders
SPEAKERs
Irene Corpuz
Founding Partner, Head of Governance & Communications, Women in Cyber Security Middle East
2000
Hamza Al-Ghatam
Co-Founder & CEO, FACEKI
2000
Premchand Kurup
CEO, Paramount Computer Systems
2000
Uzair Gadit
Co-Founder & CEO, Secure.com; Founding Partner, Disrupt.com
2000
moderator
Mohamed Amine Belarbi
Founder & CEO, Cypherleak
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
5:00 pm
-
5:30 pm
Funds That Last: Financing & Cashflow Tactics for SMEs
Community
SPEAKERs
Meenah Tariq
Founder & CEO, Metric
2000
Mohamed Al Binali
General Manager, Numou.ae
2000
Kashif Ahmad Khan
Founder & CEO, Peko
2000
moderator
Ivan Jesus
Founder & CEO, Finalytics
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
5:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
Not Alone Stories - Mental Health Circle
Creative
SPEAKERs
Omar Al Busaidy
Fulbright Scholar, Author & Founder, Global Possibilities
2000
Nouraldin Al Yousuf
Media Personality & Content Creator
2000
Souad Al Serkal
Founder & CEO, CommCation
14
Fatima Alloghani
The First Emirati Woman Adventure Rider
69
moderator
No items found.
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
5:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
What’s Next for AI Startups in MENA
Founders
SPEAKERs
Kartik Renjen
Head of Startups & VC, Amazon Web Services
16
Jawad Shreim
Co-Founder & CEO, MilkStraw AI
2000
Mohammad Algharabat
Founder & CEO, OpenCX
2000
Nidhima Kohli
Founder, The AI Accelerator & Investor, NUL
2000
moderator
Mohamed Hamza
Investment Manager MENAP, Antler
Panel Discussion
Feb 1, 2026
5:30 pm
-
6:00 pm
29KM for a Cause: Endurance, Purpose & the Human Spirit
Community
SPEAKERs
Maher El Tabchy
Founder & CEO, Tabchilli
92
Eric Robertsen
Managing Director; Global Head of Research & Cheif Strategist, Standard Chartered Bank
2000
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
10:00 am
-
10:00 pm
Design Clinic by Tiny Toaster
Creative
SPEAKERs
Amal Al Beiti
Creative Director & Founder, Tiny Toaster Design Studio
68
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
11:00 am
-
1:00 pm
Co Chocolat DIY Botanical Remedies Lab Workshop
Expression Zone
SPEAKERs
Julie Evans
Clinical Herbalist & Kundalini Global Yoga Teacher
771000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
11:00 am
-
1:00 pm
Master Manty Making with Chef Azhar Katarbayeva- Dastarkhaan
SEF Eats
SPEAKERs
Azhar Katarbayeva
Brand Manager & Owner, Dastarkhaan Super Club
65
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
11:00 am
-
1:00 pm
Coil Method Pottery Workshop
Made in Sharjah
SPEAKERs
Shahid Altaf
Plastic Artist
2000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
11:30 am
-
12:30 pm
AI-Powered Success: Unlocking Business Success with ChatGPT
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Shiemaa Adlan
Data Science Specialist - Technical Lead, Ministry of Health & Prevention UAE
93
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
11:30 am
-
1:00 pm
Personal Branding for Founders
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Dr. Mohamed Nagia
Content Creator & Founder, The Mayor Marketing Agency
86
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
12:30 pm
-
1:30 pm
Mastering the Moment With The Art of Improv
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Ayah Ballout
Filmmaker, Creative Director & Artist
2000
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
1:00 pm
-
2:30 pm
AI Prompt Engineering for Creatives
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Sufyan Al Hussein
Executive Creative Director, 33 Creatives
98
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
1:30 pm
-
2:30 pm
Pricing with Purpose- Overcoming Guilt and Charging with Confidence
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Scheherazade Hasan
Founder, Scheherazade Hasan Wealth Coaching
57
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
4:00 pm
Mastering Calligraphy with Studio N
Expression Zone
SPEAKERs
Naziya Sawant
Founder & Luxury Calligrapher, Studio N Calligraphy Co
300
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
4:00 pm
Ferment & Flour: Sourdough Starter & Milk Kefir Workshop by Tabchilli
SEF Eats
SPEAKERs
Maher El Tabchy
Founder & CEO, Tabchilli
92
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
2:00 pm
-
3:00 pm
Polymer Clay Charms Workshop
Made in Sharjah
SPEAKERs
Reem Hassan
Dentist & Polymer Clay Artist
2000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
2:30 pm
-
3:30 pm
From Chaos to Clarity: The Art of Creative Focus
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Kiran Sajwani
Design & Innovation Strategist
143
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
2:30 pm
-
4:00 pm
Smart Money Foundations for Everyday Decisions
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
No items found.
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
3:30 pm
-
4:30 pm
Hidden Costs That Kill UAE Startups: How to Budget Right, Control Cash Flow, and Hit Break-Even Faster
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Mohamed Yassin
Founder & CEO, DEPIX
2000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
4:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
Heritage in Pixels: Miniature Charms Creation Workshop
Made in Sharjah
SPEAKERs
Abeer Dawoud
Digital Artist
2000
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
4:00 pm
-
5:30 pm
Beat The Burn: Burnout & Stress Prevention Strategies
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Kareem Esmail
Founder & CEO, Mental Health Hub
30
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
4:00 pm
-
5:30 pm
A SEF Photowalk With Your DSLR Camera
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Ayah Ballout
Filmmaker, Creative Director & Artist
2000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
4:30 pm
-
5:30 pm
Is Your GTM Fundable? A Reality Check for MENA Founders
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Sanjana Raheja
Founder, Off The Record & MENA Partner, Strategy Tools
2000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
5:00 pm
-
7:00 pm
The Embroidered Canvas: Cross-Stitching Workshop
Expression Zone
SPEAKERs
Melanie Maliwat
Workshop Facilitator & Maraya Cafe Coordinator, Maraya Art Centre
2000
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
5:00 pm
-
7:00 pm
Traditional Eid Eras Baking Workshop
SEF Eats
SPEAKERs
Dalia El Ajra
Baker
101
moderator
No items found.
Workshop
Feb 1, 2026
5:30 pm
-
7:00 pm
The Essential Steps to Start Your Entrepreneurial Journey
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Shamma Saeed Binlahij
Certified Entrepreneurship Consultant & Co-Founder, Sahab Vacation Homes LLC
2000
moderator
No items found.
Masterclass
Feb 1, 2026
5:30 pm
-
7:00 pm
Demystifying the Mechanics of Equity Fundraising
SEF Academy
SPEAKERs
Rawan Alsamawi
Sales & Partnerships- Startups, Carta
140
moderator
No items found.
Activation
Feb 1, 2026
10:00 am
-
10:00 pm
"Elements of Nature" by Raisa Mariam Raman
Community
SPEAKERs
Raisa Mariam Rajan
CEO & Architect, California Group of Companies
70
moderator
No items found.
Activation
Feb 1, 2026
10:00 am
-
10:00 pm
Maztech Robo-Football Activation
SEF Eats
SPEAKERs
Mohammed Saeed Al Mazrouei
Lead – Strategic Partnerships & Innovation
60
moderator
No items found.
Performance
Feb 1, 2026
10:00 am
-
11:00 am
AUS Music Club
Creative
SPEAKERs
Omar Alali
Guitarist , AUS Music Club
2000
Judi Samara
Student, AUS Music Club
2000
Iliya Mogharrar
Artist, AUS Music Club
2000
Agathe Elzoghbi
Student, AUS Music Club
2000
Ehab Taha Galal
Student, AUS Music Club
2000
moderator
No items found.
Performance
Feb 1, 2026
3:00 pm
-
3:30 pm
AUS Music Club
Creative
SPEAKERs
Omar Alali
Guitarist , AUS Music Club
2000
Judi Samara
Student, AUS Music Club
2000
Iliya Mogharrar
Artist, AUS Music Club
2000
Agathe Elzoghbi
Student, AUS Music Club
2000
Ehab Taha Galal
Student, AUS Music Club
2000
moderator
No items found.
Performance
Feb 1, 2026
4:00 pm
-
4:20 pm
Performance
Creative
SPEAKERs
Lamma Quintet
2000
moderator
No items found.
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