Sharjah: The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), founded by H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has introduced the 'Disrupt' track. This new initiative is the region's first platform that unites global and specialised technology companies to create innovative solutions for supporting Arab publishing, advancing innovation, and transforming the relationship between content and technology.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Disrupt track is designed to integrate artificial intelligence and advanced technologies into Arabic publishing, inviting technology companies globally to present practical, ready-to-use solutions. These solutions encompass areas such as editing, translation, marketing, AI-driven animation, and other digital innovations aimed at strengthening the publishing ecosystem.
The initiative further seeks to bolster Sharjah's reputation as a regional hub for publishing technologies, aligning with the emirate's vision of developing an innovation-driven, knowledge-based publishing sector. Positioned as a long-term investment platform within the Onshur Fund, the Disrupt track seeks to create sustainable partnerships between technology solutions and Arab publishers.
Selected companies will receive operational licences at Sharjah Publishing City, office space, access to investment and funding opportunities, and direct support from Onshur's network to facilitate their entry into local and regional markets. Applications are open to established companies offering scalable, market-ready technologies that meet specific criteria. The solutions must operate on secure cloud-based systems and demonstrate clear relevance to the publishing and content industries. Submissions will be evaluated based on the solution's readiness, potential to improve efficiency, and ability to expand regionally and internationally.
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the SBA, commented on the launch, stating that the emirate is reinforcing its status as a global centre for the publishing sector and transforming knowledge into a sustainable investment in people and the future. He highlighted that the Disrupt track invests in leading technology ventures offering advanced solutions for the publishing industry and drives innovation across the cultural sector.
Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of strategic initiatives and global markets at SBA, noted that the Disrupt track provides technology companies with a direct opportunity to apply and test their solutions within the Arab publishing market. The initiative seeks firms ready to deploy proven technologies in real business environments to achieve measurable success in the Arab publishing ecosystem and promote the adoption of advanced technologies in the publishing process.
Registration for the Disrupt track opens on 15th October and will continue until 31st December, coinciding with the Frankfurt International Book Fair. This will be followed by interviews and evaluations from January to February 2026. The shortlist announcement of selected projects will take place during the fourth Sharjah International Distribution Conference in 2026.