About
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Najla Al-Midfa is CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), a government-supported entity mandated to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Sharjah, and support innovative startups that will contribute positively to the region’s economy.
Between 2016 and 2018, Sheraa built a portfolio of over 70 startups, which raised over $37m in investment, and created over 500 job. Sheraa also hosts the annual Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, a gathering of over 2000 entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and ecosystem supporters.
Najla’s previous roles include Senior Manager at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Senior Associate at McKinsey and Company’s New York office.
Najla is also founder of Khayarat, a platform that empowers young Emiratis to make informed career choices, and enables them to succeed in the private sector. With over 100 placements in leading private sector companies, the platform is influencing the next generation of Emiratis to raise their ambitions and fulfill their potential.
Najla is a board member of United Arab Bank. She is Vice-Chairperson of Young Arab Leaders, and a board member of Endeavor UAE. She is a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Middle East Leadership Initiative, and an Eisenhower Global Fellow.
Najla holds an MBA from Stanford University.
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