The initiative forms part of Sharjah’s wider strategy to establish the UAE as a regional publishing technology hub.

The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) has closed applications for its ‘Disrupt’ technology track, drawing 94 submissions from specialised firms worldwide.

The initiative, launched by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), targets artificial intelligence and digital solutions deployment across Arab publishing markets.

Geographic Reach and Market Interest

Submissions arrived from 17 countries, with Egypt leading at 30 entries and the UAE contributing 29. The United States submitted seven applications, while the UK and India each provided four.

This distribution indicates strong regional engagement alongside significant international interest in Middle Eastern publishing technology opportunities.

Technology Categories and Industry Priorities

AI-powered marketing solutions dominated submissions, followed by editing and translation technologies, audio content tools, animation systems, and integrated digital infrastructure. This pattern reflects publishing’s current operational priorities: audience acquisition, workflow efficiency, and multimedia content expansion.

Selection Process and Strategic Outcomes

Shortlisted candidates will be announced at the Sharjah Publishers Conference 2026, gaining access to funding and SBA network support for regional and international market entry.

The evaluation framework prioritises scalable technologies with measurable impact on publisher competitiveness and operational efficiency.

The View From The Beach

The initiative forms part of Sharjah’s wider strategy to establish the UAE as a regional publishing technology hub.

This aligns with broader Gulf state investments in knowledge economy infrastructure – similar programmes include Saudi Arabia’s Publishing Sector Strategy and Qatar’s National Vision 2030 cultural development pillars.

The SBA’s approach combines direct funding with ecosystem development, connecting technology providers with established publishing networks across the Arab world.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.