As part of its commitment to the UAE’s vision to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, “Rowad,” participates in the COP28 conference. The initiative allows five committed startups to showcase their sustainability innovations, reflecting Rowad’s belief in these companies’ role in paving the way towards realizing this vision and building a sustainable future.
Rowad’s pavilion in the Green Zone spotlights success stories of five sustainability startups: Kandam Technologies, Green Future Project, Qeema, Manhaat, and Locithr. This platform provides them with an opportunity to present their groundbreaking technologies and creative ideas embodying the essence of sustainability.
Kandam Technologies and Green Future Project, winners of the Sharjah Gateway Challenge 2023, received support totaling half a million dirhams from commercial contracts to aid their establishment and expansion in Sharjah. Rowad, in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Environment Agency, and Sharjah Sustainable City, launched this year’s challenge inspired by the “Year of Sustainability” initiative in the UAE.
Kandam Technologies offers an innovative waste management solution through the “Reduce and Earn” initiative, utilizing economical technology to identify and sort a wide range of recyclable materials, contributing to a circular economy.
Green Future Project delivers exceptional work in designing and implementing a comprehensive solution for software services specialized in preparing environmental, social, and corporate governance data reports and sustainable practices. This empowers companies to monitor and mitigate carbon emissions.
The three companies Qeema, Manhaat, and Locithr present their unique visions of sustainability. Qeema provides eco-friendly cleaning materials in the form of pellets to encourage reuse and refill of cleaning liquid containers. Manhaat focuses on sustainable water technology, utilizing naturally evaporated water to overcome challenges in water and food security. Locithr offers alternative plant-based leather, showcasing the potential of ethical and sustainable fashion.
Najla Al Midfa, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Rowad), expressed pride in the five companies, stating, “Rowad not only embraces businesses but is keen on fostering innovative ideas capable of bringing about the desired positive transformation. We believe in the importance of entrepreneurship in shaping a sustainable future, and the companies showcasing their solutions at COP28 demonstrate the results achievable through purposeful innovation.”
She added, “Rowad is proud to lead the empowerment journey for responsible businesses, aiming to achieve a triple goal of enhancing human life quality, protecting the planet, and achieving prosperity and sustainability. Rowad’s commitment to sustainability is not just an initiative but a fundamental principle at the core of its vision and strategies. By showcasing startup solutions at COP28, Rowad aims to highlight the successes of these companies and inspire a new generation of responsible entrepreneurs in the UAE who find the best environmental solutions to protect the planet.”
