Sharakah

What Sharakah does

Sharakah - Fund for Development of Youth Projects S.A.O.C. is a closed joint-stock company incorporated in 1998 under Royal Decree No. 76/98 as one of Oman's first SME development institutions. Headquartered in Muscat with a 19-person specialist team, it operates as a quasi-governmental SME development company delivering Sharia-compliant financing, capacity building, and advisory services to Omani small and medium enterprises and startups. The organization has maintained self-sustaining operations for 25 years without additional funding, supported by a diversified shareholder base of approximately 60 institutional and individual investors including major Omani banks (Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman, Oman Arab Bank, Bank Dhofar), corporates (Oman Cement, Raysut Cement, Oman Aviation, W.J. Towell), and prominent Omani families.

Sharakah's core revenue-generating products span multiple Sharia-compliant instruments: term loans (OMR 10,000-350,000 at 5%), equity development participation (OMR 100,000-350,000 with 51% partner contribution), bill discounting (up to OMR 200,000), invoice financing (7.2-14.4%, up to OMR 500,000), and Sharakah Ventures pre-seed/seed equity (OMR 10,000-50,000). Islamic finance structures include Ijara (leasing), Musharaka (partnership), Murabaha (cost-plus), and Wakala (agency). Beyond financing, the company operates three proprietary assessment tools — the internationally certified Business Performance Monitoring Tool (BPMT), a 48-category Risk Assessment Tool (RAT), and a Financial Analysis Tool (FAT). The 9-step funding workflow integrates with the national Mala'a credit platform and includes a 2% processing fee.

The company distributes through a layered ecosystem of flagship banking partnerships (National Finance, Bank Muscat, Alizz Islamic, Development Bank, Sohar International), corporate partners (BP Oman through Khazzan program, PDO), and international bodies (UNIDO, INSME). Programmatic offerings include VC999 Incubation, Imtidad SME Growth Programme with National Finance, Khazzan with BP Oman (ranked 2nd globally and 1st in Oman), and Tanmo with Development Bank. Sharakah has cumulatively invested 28.9M+ OMR across 144 funded projects, supports 450+ active SMEs, has facilitated 12,250 jobs, delivered 90+ workshops across 11 governorates, and won the Jawa'iz Basma 2025 SME Development Initiative Award. All activities are explicitly aligned with Oman Vision 2040.

Name

Sharakah

Legal name

Sharakah - Fund for Development of Youth Projects S.A.O.C.

Website

https://sharakah.om

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sharakah is an Oman-based SME development company founded in 1998 by Royal Decree, providing Sharia-compliant financing (loans, equity, bill discounting), capacity-building tools (BPMT/RAT/FAT), incubation (VC999), and advisory services to small and medium enterprises across all 11 Omani governorates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

SME Development and Sharia-Compliant Financing

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

SIC

Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Islamic SME & Commercial Banking (FSABAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shariah-compliant Financing Products (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawarruq, Istisna, Salam) (FSABAGAH), Islamic Investment Banking & Capital Markets Services (FSABAGAG), SME Equipment & Asset Finance (Leasing, Fleet, Capex) (FSABABAH)

Keywords

• SME financing services
• Sharia-compliant lending
• Startup incubation programmes
• Business advisory consulting
• Capacity building tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Muscat

HQ country

Oman

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sharia-Compliant Financing Revenue: Revenue generated through Islamic finance instruments including Ijara (leasing), Musharaka (partnership), Murabaha (cost-plus financing), and Wakala (agency financing). Provides financing facilities ranging from OMR 10,000 to OMR 350,000 for SMEs.
2. Processing Fees: 2% processing fee charged on funding applications. Additional fees from credit checks and legal documentation.
3. Equity Investments: Growth equity investments (OMR 100,000-350,000) and Sharakah Ventures (OMR 10,000-50,000) for startups. 51% partner contribution with clear exit strategy within 6 years.
4. Capacity Building & Advisory Services: Revenue from advisory solutions, business consultancy, workshops, and training programs delivered through partnerships with banks and corporate sponsors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sharakah is an Omani SME development company that provides Sharia-compliant financing (term loans, development participation equity, bill discounting, invoice factoring, and pre-seed/seed venture capital) and capacity building services (proprietary business performance, risk and financial analysis tools, advisory, and incubation programmes) to small and medium enterprises and startups in Oman. It also partners with banks and corporates to deliver structured SME growth programs (VC999, Imtidad, Khazzan, Tanmo).

Product overview

Sharakah is an Omani SME development company offering a comprehensive ecosystem of financial solutions, capacity building services, and advisory programmes. The core offering comprises Financial Solutions (including development participation equity investment, term loans, bill discounting, invoice factoring, and Sharia-compliant financing products like Ijara, Musharaka, Murabaha, and Wakala) alongside Capacity Building Services (BPMT, RAT, FAT tools and advisory). The portfolio includes specialized programmes such as VC999 Incubation Programme for startups, the Imtidad SME Growth Programme with National Finance, Khazzan with BP Oman, and Tanmo with Development Bank, supplemented by downloadable business tools and templates. The company does not operate as a software platform with modules but rather as a service-oriented organization providing financing, mentorship, and development programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sharakah Ventures: Impact-driven financial solution designed to invest in pre-seed and seed-stage startups and innovators within the Oman ecosystem, offering capital investment, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
• VC999
• BPMT (Business Performance Monitoring Tool)
• Khazzan

Products and services

• Financial Solutions Comprehensive financing products for Omani SMEs including development participation (equity investment of OMR 100,000-350,000), term loans (OMR 10,000-350,000 at 5% interest, up to 6 years), bill discounting (up to OMR 500,000), invoice factoring, and Sharakah Ventures startup funding (OMR 10,000-50,000). No collateral is required for term loans.
• Sharia-Compliant Solutions Islamic finance products for SMEs including Ijara (lease-to-own equipment financing), Musharaka (joint partnership with gradual ownership transfer), Murabaha (cost-plus sale arrangement), and Wakala (investment agency). All facilities are Sharia-compliant with terms up to 6 years including grace period.
• Capacity Building Services
• SME Growth Programme (Imtidad) Joint initiative with National Finance providing mentorship, workshops, the Business Performance Monitoring Tool, and advisory support for operational efficiency and sustainable growth across diverse Omani enterprises.
• Khazzan Programme Annual entrepreneurship growth and business guidance programme delivered in partnership with BP Oman, providing BPMT tool deployment, mentorship, and grants (580,000 OMR distributed). Ranked 2nd globally and 1st in Oman among similar programs.
• Tanmo Programme Post-service portfolio management programme with Development Bank providing comprehensive 360-degree assessment and follow-up meetings for SME clients over a 6-month duration.
• VC999 Incubation Programme Sharakah's flagship incubation programme supporting early-stage startups, home-based businesses, and high-growth SMEs with mentorship, preferential financing, co-working spaces, and administrative support aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
• Economic Gardening Initiative 8-month data-led support program for high-potential Stage II SMEs (10-100 employees) in Musandam, delivering tailored business intelligence reports, market research, strategic guidance, mentoring, networking, and access to financial resources through a digital platform.
• Advisory Solutions Business consultancy, market research, feasibility studies, risk assessment, and marketing and financial advisory services to ensure SMEs' project sustainability. Sharakah has delivered 30,000+ consultation hours historically.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43% core income growth in 2025; 60+ SMEs financially supported; 90+ enterprises through capacity building; 460+ workshop participants in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Anfal Industries & Trading Company SPCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026OMR 50,000 Sharia-compliant financing for working capital. Company established 2016 manufactures and distributes industrial chemicals, cleaning products, and laboratory products serving oil and gas, water treatment, and food processing sectors.
• Ocean of Majan International Commercial Services LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026MoU providing Sharia-compliant financing facility for working capital and manufacturing expansion. Ocean of Majan operates Bagpak brand (polypropylene industrial packaging) established October 2022, serving cement, petrochemicals, food production sectors.
• National FinanceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026SME Growth Programme partnership under the Imtidad initiative, providing mentorship, workshops, BPMT tool, and advisory support. 12 Omani enterprises selected for fifth edition (2026). 10-year partnership milestone celebrated. 8 enterprises graduated from fourth edition (2025).
• Abw Alkhalyl Alrhby Lla'mal SPCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026OMR 41,000 Sharia-compliant financing for working capital. Coffee trader established 2017 specializing in import and wholesale distribution of green coffee beans to roasters and traders across Oman; also re-exports to overseas markets.
• Taleem Education Management SPCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 February 2026Sharia-compliant financing for construction of bilingual private school in Hay Asim, Barka (Kindergarten to Grade 4). Partnership supports educational infrastructure development responding to growing private schooling demand in Barka and Al Seeb.
• Development BankflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Economic Gardening Agreement for Musandam pilot project. 8-month program in 4 phases for growth-stage SMEs (10-100 employees). Provides business analytics, market research, strategic guidance, mentoring, and digital platform. Delivered with Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Musandam Global Investment Company.
• Value Experts LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026MoU to enhance SME access to structured financial advisory and funding support. Value Experts refers eligible SME clients to Sharakah and provides financial advisory services including due diligence support and financial analysis. Operates across Oman and GCC.
• ESTRLab LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partnership to strengthen growth of technology-based SMEs and foster innovation in industrial and digital technology sectors. ESTRLab specializes in engineering, electronics, and digital technology solutions research and development.
• Bank MuscatflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Al Wathba Academy training programme for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Specialized training programme to develop SME activities and empower entrepreneurs through Bank Muscat's extensive reach.
• Majan AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Sharia-compliant financing to enable delivery of government initiatives. Majan Academy specializes in vocational education, corporate training, and professional development.
• Alizz Islamic BankflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Alizz Business SMEs Development Programme enabling 8 Omani SMEs. Partnership under 'Alizz Cares' initiative supporting SME transformation and performance improvement.
• Sohar International BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025SME Development Programme focused on women-owned SMEs. Builds capacity in financing, marketing, risk management; supports digital transformation and innovative practices for women entrepreneurs.
• Oman Chamber of Commerce & IndustrycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Collaborating partner in Economic Gardening pilot project in Musandam. Chamber provides ecosystem support and SME networking.
• INSME (International Network for SMEs)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Sharakah participated in 21st INSME Annual Meeting in Alicante, Spain. Focus on 'Protecting and valuing SMEs intangible assets'. International knowledge sharing and best practice exchange.
• UNIDOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025United Nations Industrial Development Organization partnership for SME ecosystem development and industrial support in Oman.
• BP OmanflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025BP Khazzan programme partner for SME growth and business guidance. Ranked 2nd globally and 1st in Oman. 6-year programme with BPMT tool, 100+ SMEs supported, 580,000 OMR in grants.
• PDO (Petroleum Development Oman)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Strategic partner supporting SME ecosystem development and potentially connecting SMEs with PDO's supply chain opportunities.
• Tanmo (Development Bank programme)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Post-service portfolio management programme with 360-degree evaluation and follow-up meetings. Designed for Development Bank SME clients with 6-month duration supporting 10 SMEs.

Scale indicators27 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oman Development Bank (Development Bank): Oman's state-owned development finance institution providing SME and entrepreneur financing across the country. Directly comparable in mandate, target segment, and geographic focus to Sharakah; both are core partners on the Tanmo and Economic Gardening Musandam programmes.
• Alizz Islamic Bank: One of Oman's leading fully-Sharia-compliant banks offering SME financing, business accounts, and Islamic finance products (Murabaha, Ijara, Musharaka). A flagship strategic partner of Sharakah (Alizz Business SMEs Development Programme) and a directly comparable Islamic SME lender.
• Bank Nizwa: Oman's first dedicated Islamic bank providing Sharia-compliant SME financing, working capital, and trade finance products across the Sultanate. Directly comparable in product set (Ijara, Murabaha, Musharaka) and SME target market to Sharakah.
• National Finance Company: Leading Omani non-bank financial institution focused on equipment and asset financing, leasing, and SME lending. Sharakah's longest-running flagship partner (10+ year Imtidad SME Growth Programme), making it the closest direct distribution peer.

Regional players

• Qatar Development Bank (QDB): Qatar's national development bank driving SME and entrepreneurship financing, incubation, and capacity building. Highly comparable in mandate and toolset (financing + non-financial advisory + accelerators) to Sharakah, but operating in Qatar rather than Oman.
• Dubai SME (Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development): Government entity under Dubai's Department of Economy & Tourism responsible for SME financing, capacity building, and ecosystem development. Functionally analogous to Sharakah as a sovereign-backed SME development vehicle in a GCC market.
• Monsha'at (Saudi Authority for SMEs): Saudi Arabia's national SME Authority providing financing intermediation, advisory, and ecosystem development. Compares to Sharakah in mandate and toolset (financing + advisory + programmes), but serves the much larger Saudi market.
• Bahrain Development Bank (BDB): Bahrain's national development bank providing financing, advisory, and business support to SMEs and entrepreneurs. Closely analogous in mandate and product mix to Sharakah, but operating in Bahrain rather than Oman.
• Kafalah Programme (Saudi Credit Guarantee): Saudi government-backed credit guarantee scheme supporting SME access to financing by guaranteeing bank loans. Comparable to Sharakah in enabling SME lending (though via guarantee rather than direct financing), in a regional GCC market.

Others

• INSME (International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises): International network of SME-focused organisations in which Sharakah is an active member and participant. Not a direct competitor but a peer ecosystem participant, with comparable mission around SME policy, capacity building, and international best-practice sharing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Sharakah
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfSEh4BWCvr9geZ6ThfvAmA
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharakah
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sharakah
• Instagraminstagram.com/sharakah

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sharakah