The fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Sharjah, October 2026

Key numbers

• Median 1-year headcount growth: 17.5% across 250 companies (range 1.2% to 216.6%). 7 of 250 at least doubled their headcount; 1 figure above 200% is labelled estimated.
• Size mix: 10–19 employees: 47, 20–49 employees: 48, 50–99 employees: 68, 100–249 employees: 45, 250–499 employees: 42. The most common band is 50–99 (27%).
• Main sub-industries: K-12 Schools (27), Architecture, Engineering & Design (27), Commercial & Residential Construction (23).
• Largest company on the list: University of Khorfakkan (250–499 employees, 73.7% growth). 95 of 250 have fewer than 50 employees.
• Versus the whole October 2026 dataset (3246 companies), this page's median is lower: 17.5% vs 22.1%.
• Same location by sector (median growth): manufacturing 25.4% (n=50), healthcare & clinic 17.2% (n=10), professional services 16.2% (n=35), education & training 16.1% (n=39), construction 15.8% (n=24), IT services & software 15.7% (n=14), retail & e-commerce 13.6% (n=50), freight & logistics 11.0% (n=12), hospitality & restaurant 9.5% (n=16).

Sector context

• Across the GCC, 26.0% of construction SMBs with growth data grew headcount by 20% or more in a year, against 10.8% in the US (2.4×).
• Across the GCC, 25.3% of freight & logistics services SMBs with growth data grew headcount by 20% or more in a year, against 12.6% in the US (2.0×).

Top 10 by headcount growth

1. #1 Ssi

   Sharjah · K-12 Schools · 10–19 employees · +216.6% (estimated)

   Headcount grew an estimated 216.6% in 12 months, 12.4× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #1 of 47 companies here in the 10–19-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: K-12 Schools; revenue band $500K-$1M. Growth above 200% comes from a small starting headcount, so treat it as an estimate.

2. #2 Al Hamra Engineering Consultants

   Sharjah · Architecture, Engineering & Design · 10–19 employees · +200.0%

   Headcount grew 200.0% in 12 months, 11.4× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #2 of 47 companies here in the 10–19-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Architecture, Engineering & Design; revenue band $1M-$5M.

3. #3 Sun Technical FZC

   Sharjah · Architecture, Engineering & Design · 10–19 employees · +160.0%

   Headcount grew 160.0% in 12 months, 9.1× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #3 of 47 companies here in the 10–19-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Architecture, Engineering & Design; revenue band $1M-$5M.

4. #4 Harwal Group Companies

   Sharjah · Plastic, Packaging & Containers · 100–249 employees · +133.3%

   Headcount grew 133.3% in 12 months, 7.6× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #1 of 45 companies here in the 100–249-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Plastic, Packaging & Containers; revenue band $10M-$25M.

5. #5 Alico

   Sharjah · Building Materials · 100–249 employees · +129.4%

   Headcount grew 129.4% in 12 months, 7.4× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #2 of 45 companies here in the 100–249-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Building Materials; revenue band $10M-$25M.

6. #6 Emirates Industrial Converting Factory

   Sharjah · Pulp & Paper · 50–99 employees · +109.0%

   Headcount grew 109.0% in 12 months, 6.2× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #1 of 68 companies here in the 50–99-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Pulp & Paper; revenue band $10M-$25M.

7. #7 Pearl Industries

   Sharjah · Building Materials · 100–249 employees · +100.0%

   Headcount grew 100.0% in 12 months, 5.7× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #3 of 45 companies here in the 100–249-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Building Materials; revenue band $1M-$5M.

8. #8 Sharjah Collection

   Sharjah · Lodging & Resorts · 20–49 employees · +75.7%

   Headcount grew 75.7% in 12 months, 4.3× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #1 of 48 companies here in the 20–49-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Lodging & Resorts; revenue band $5M-$10M.

9. #9 University of Khorfakkan

   Sharjah · Colleges & Universities · 250–499 employees · +73.7%

   Headcount grew 73.7% in 12 months, 4.2× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #1 of 42 companies here in the 250–499-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Colleges & Universities; revenue band $50M-$100M.

10. #10 SkillUp MENA

    Sharjah · Training · 20–49 employees · +70.6%

    Headcount grew 70.6% in 12 months, 4.0× this ranking's median of 17.5%, #2 of 48 companies here in the 20–49-employee band. Based in Sharjah, UAE; primary sub-industry: Training; revenue band $500K-$1M.

Methodology

Source: licensed B2B firmographic and technographic data, pulled 9 Oct 2026; page updated 2026-10-09. Scope: companies headquartered in the city with 10–500 employees and at least 10 data profiles; the top 50 by 1-year headcount growth per industry, after removing likely local branches of foreign or 1,000+ staff groups; companies with zero or negative growth are left out. Growth is the modelled change in the company's own employee count over the last 12 months; values above 200% are labelled estimated because they come from small headcounts. Location is the company's headquarters city; firms headquartered elsewhere with large local offices are not included, and likely local branches of foreign or 1,000+ staff groups were removed by a name/website rule that can miss some branches. Some companies are local branches of larger groups; the size band is for the local entity. Figures move between monthly editions. Company-level data only: no personal names, emails or phone numbers.

We publish a ranking only when at least 15 companies qualify, and skip a page when its top 10 would repeat another page.

Related rankings

• Fastest-growing construction, facilities & logistics companies in Dubai (24 companies)
• Fastest-growing construction, facilities & logistics companies in the GCC (50 companies)
• Fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Abu Dhabi (464 companies)
• Fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Dammam (164 companies)
• Fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Doha (427 companies)
• Fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Dubai (595 companies)
• Fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Jeddah (322 companies)
• Fastest-growing small and mid-sized companies in Kuwait City (227 companies)

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FAQ

Which small and mid-sized company in Sharjah grew fastest this year?

In the October 2026 edition, Ssi ranks first with 216.6% (estimated) 1-year headcount growth, followed by Al Hamra Engineering Consultants (200.0%) and Sun Technical FZC (160.0%).

How fast are small and mid-sized SMBs in Sharjah growing?

The median company on this list grew headcount by 17.5% in 12 months. This is a list of fast growers, not a sector average. Across the GCC, 26.0% of construction SMBs with growth data grew headcount by 20% or more in a year, against 10.8% in the US (2.4×).

What does "growth" mean here?

The change in the company's own employee count over the last 12 months, modelled from licensed B2B firmographic data. It is not revenue growth and not a count of open vacancies.

Why do some figures say "estimated"?

Growth above 200% usually comes from a small starting headcount, so a few hires move the percentage a lot. We keep these companies but label the figure.

What is in the paid list?

All 250 companies on this page with website, city, industry, size band and growth, as CSV and Excel. Company-level only: no personal contact details.

How often is this updated?

Monthly. Each edition is dated; this one is October 2026.