Motivate Media Group and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center launch Dhs1m fund for tech startups

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and Gulf Business-parent organisation, Dubai-based Motivate Media Group (MMG), have established a Dhs1m fund to provide in-kind services to support tech startups and aid SMEs as they combat the business onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic within the country.

Sheraa’s portfolio of selected tech startups will receive exclusive access to a range of services and benefits from Motivate including advertising space in their print magazines, digital marketing, editorial support, as well as guidance with their marketing and promotional plans.

The marketing and advertising promotions will take place across media platforms of Motivate titles including Gulf Business, What’s On, Emirates Woman and Identity.

Additionally, Motivate will also guide startups on best practices, helping them target relevant audiences, to ensure that campaigns deliver optimal results.

“Motivate are committing a substantial fund in the form of advertising and marketing, to support UAE-SMEs across all platforms, during what we are referring to as a period of business revival. This contribution forms part of our overall support and we couldn’t do better than to work with Sheraa to cover the essential tech sector. MMG wants to help and encourage SMEs during this challenging period and see their businesses grow as we approach 2021 – the 50th anniversary of the UAE,” said Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner of Motivate Media Group.

In April, Motivate also said that it was moving to a free distribution model wherein, through an arrangement with Gulf News, free copies of What’s On, Emirates Woman, Gulf Business and Identity are now being delivered directly to Gulf News subscribers’ homes in areas including Emirates Hills, Emirates Living, Arabian Ranches, JLT, Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim and Trade Centre 2 in Dubai.

Read: Here’s why UAE publisher Motivate is moving to a free distribution model

Meanwhile, Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa added, “Sheraa is excited to partner with Motivate Media Group to provide media opportunities for our startups, particularly at a time when exposure to wider markets can make all the difference towards their survival. Collaborations like these are a testament to the growing sense of community within the entrepreneurship ecosystem. We look forward to building on our partnership to further support our founders, both in the current climate and beyond.”

In May 2020, Sheraa pledged a $1m solidarity fund to help strained startups weather the Covid-19 crisis.

Read also: How has Covid-19 impacted the startup ecosystem in the GCC?

In June, Sheraa and research Startup Genome released a report titled The Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) that revealed, based on research of over 1.27 million companies, over 250 ecosystems, and survey data from startup executives worldwide, that Sharjah ranks among the Top 20 in Africa and Middle East for “Bang for Buck” and the Top 30 Africa and Middle East Ecosystems for Affordable Talent.

Read more: Sharjah leads list of high-growth ecosystems globally – report