The Sharjah Businesswomen Council announced the opening of applications for female-led startups to receive full sponsorship to participate in the “Expand North Star 2025” exhibition, held from October 12 to 15 at Dubai Harbour; the world’s largest gathering of startups and investors, inviting innovative businesswomen in the UAE to seize this exclusive opportunity.

This sponsorship aims to empower local talents to go global, selecting 8 UAE-based companies to showcase their work at this international event, granting them direct access to a wide network of global investors, venture capitalists, and business leaders. These companies also automatically qualify for the Supernova competition, the world’s largest startup pitch contest, offering $214,000 in grants to winning companies. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this year’s Expand North Star exhibition is the largest global event for startups and investors, organized by Dubai World Trade Centre, hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and held in partnership with GITEX Global.

Mariam bin Sheikh, Director of the Sharjah Businesswomen Council, said: “Within our integrated entrepreneurial ecosystem at the Sharjah Businesswomen Council, one of our main goals is to ensure that businesswomen contributing to the UAE’s economy have the opportunity to excel globally. By enabling our members to participate in Expand North Star, we not only support their business growth but also enhance their presence and pave the way for them to become the next generation of leaders shaping innovation across the region. The Supernova challenge combines innovative ideas with global opportunities, and we are proud to open this door for female startups to benefit from this opportunity.”

The sponsorship package includes a premium exhibition booth at Expand North Star 2025, enhancing each startup’s presence before thousands of visitors from over 100 countries. Participation in the Supernova competition offers startups the chance to present their work, products, and services before a judging panel of experts and investors, competing for cash prizes including a grand prize of $100,000.

To benefit from this opportunity, the businesswoman must be a founder or co-founder of a UAE-based startup no older than five years and a member of the Sharjah Businesswomen Council. Membership registration is available concurrently with application submission at the website: .shorturl.at/E9KV7. All applications will be evaluated by a specialized judging panel based on criteria including innovation level, market needs fulfillment, business model strength, current achievements, and team strength.

Besides the main prizes in the Supernova challenge, participants will compete for two special awards: the Sustainability Leaders Pitch Contest, worth $10,000, presented by North Star Impact for startups driving positive environmental and social change; and the FinTech and Blockchain Innovation Award, worth $10,000, presented by FinTech Surge and Future Blockchain Summit for the best innovative solution in the financial technology sector.