Move to launch NextGen Founders Youth Entrepreneurship Programme
Nestlé UAE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sheraa, MAJRA, and the UAE Food Cluster to launch NextGen Founders, a three-month youth entrepreneurship program designed to help aspiring founders across the UAE turn promising ideas into validated, market-ready concepts through practical learning, mentorship, and ecosystem access.
The MoU was signed during the Future Food Forum 2026 in the presence of HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism of UAE; HE Sarah Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO, Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); Sarah Shaw, CEO, MAJRA; Saleh Lootah, Chairman, UAE Food Cluster; and Dina Mongy, Associate Director and Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé UAE.
The signing marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Nestlé UAE, Sheraa, MAJRA, and the UAE Food Cluster, bringing together their expertise and networks to provide young entrepreneurs with greater support and opportunities.
Through the partnership, the four organisations will work together to nurture the UAE’s next generation of founders and contribute to the country’s growing innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Long-term investment
“At Nestlé, we believe that empowering young entrepreneurs is a long-term investment in the UAE’s future, strengthening the talent, innovation and enterprise that will shape a more resilient and competitive economy,” commented Rachid Maalouli, Managing Director, Nestlé Coastal Arabia Cluster.
“This deal reflects our continued commitment to developing a generation of founders equipped to innovate, build, and contribute to the UAE’s future economy,” stressed HE Sara Al Nuaimi.
“Through this partnership, MAJRA is helping nurture a new generation of responsible founders who can contribute to the UAE’s innovation ecosystem and help shape a more sustainable, resilient, and impact-driven economy,” asserted Shaw.
“Through NextGen Founders, we are pleased to work alongside Nestlé UAE, Sheraa, and MAJRA to provide the networks, industry access and opportunities that can help nurture the next generation of food and business leaders,” added Lootah.
