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SHARJAH/WAM
Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) and the American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted the second roundtable in their series aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs in the UAE. Held at the American University of Sharjah, the event focused on the theme “Female Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the UAE: Access to Funding Challenges”.
This session built upon insights gathered from the previous roundtable, delving deeper into the specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in securing funding and exploring actionable solutions.
The roundtable featured a diverse group of prominent leaders and business founders. Their discussions centred around the main obstacles female entrepreneurs encounter when seeking funding and offered recommendations to ease access to financial resources.
During the roundtable, participants identified several key challenges that hinder women’s access to funding. These included a lack of awareness about available financial resources, limited networking opportunities with potential investors, and biases within traditional funding structures. The speakers also noted the importance of creating tailored financial products that meet the unique needs of female entrepreneurs, while discussing strategies for enhancing mentorship programs that connect emerging business women with experienced industry leaders who can provide guidance and support.
Mariam bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, noted the important role of funding and support for investment in businesswomen in the region saying, “Women are already empowered within Sharjah; they possess the strength, resilience, and creativity to shape their own futures. Our role is to provide the strategic support and resources necessary for them to thrive in every sector.”