Al Fardan Exchange Partners with Sheraa to Empower Startups and SMEs with Tailored Financial Solutions

Business

Al Fardan Exchange Partners with Sheraa to Empower Startups and SMEs with Tailored Financial Solutions

Al Fardan Exchange, one of the UAE’s leading financial services providers since 1971, has signed a strategic partnership with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) to enhance financial access for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026, marking a significant step in supporting the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering sustainable business growth.

Under this partnership, Al Fardan Exchange will collaborate closely with Sheraa’s network of more than 500 startups and SMEs to better understand their financial needs and provide customized money transfer and financial solutions. The company will also participate in Sheraa’s ecosystem initiatives—including demo days, community programs, and investor forums—offering startups practical insights and access to expert financial guidance.

The initiative comes as the UAE continues to solidify its position as a global entrepreneurship hub, recently ranking first worldwide in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024–2025 report.

“Startups and SMEs are a vital engine of economic growth and innovation in the UAE,” said Hasan Fardan Al Fardan, CEO of Al Fardan Exchange. “Through our partnership with Sheraa, we aim to engage founders directly, understand their operational challenges, and create meaningful financial solutions that foster growth, resilience, and cross-border success. This reflects our long-term commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable economic participation.”

H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, added: “SMEs play a central role in driving innovation and sustainable development across the UAE. By connecting founders with strategic partners such as Al Fardan Exchange, we empower them with the resources, expertise, and financial tools they need to scale efficiently and expand globally.”

This collaboration underscores the growing importance of partnerships between established financial institutions and entrepreneurship enablers in the UAE’s innovation-led economy. By combining Sheraa’s ecosystem reach with Al Fardan Exchange’s financial expertise, the initiative aims to strengthen the region’s startup landscape—building a more connected, resilient, and globally competitive business environment.