The UAE News Report
Sharjah: The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) is showcasing opportunities for aspiring and established publishing entrepreneurs at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026), highlighting training, mentorship, business development and technology-led solutions for the book industry.
Established as an initiative of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the fund aims to help people establish publishing ventures, strengthen existing businesses and develop innovations that could support the industry’s long-term sustainability.
At its pavilion during the book fair, Onshur is presenting the achievements of participants in its Launch and Scale programmes, alongside KlooBR, the winner of the 2026 Disrupt track. The display includes graduates from the Launch track in 2024 and 2026 and the Scale track in 2025.
Visitors are invited to consider whether they could become future programme graduates, with information available about the fund’s different pathways and the kinds of support offered to publishing businesses at various stages of development.
Training and support for publishing entrepreneurs
Onshur has three specialised tracks. The Launch Track is designed for aspiring publishers and entrepreneurs looking to establish and manage publishing houses, while the Scale Track supports existing publishers seeking to grow their operations and reach additional markets.
The Disrupt Track focuses on technology companies developing products or services for the publishing industry. It is intended to help innovators connect with publishers and investors, develop partnerships and explore commercial opportunities.
Together, the programmes provide access to professional mentorship, training, industry networks and potential investment connections, according to the fund. The emphasis differs according to whether a participant is entering the sector, expanding an established business or developing technology for publishing.
Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA, said: “SIBF allows us to introduce Onshur to publishers, entrepreneurs and aspiring industry professionals, while connecting with potential applicants. It also provides an opportunity to showcase our graduates’ achievements and demonstrate what professional training and specialised knowledge can help them accomplish.”
She said the fund sought to attract more entrepreneurs into publishing and equip them with the knowledge and professional connections required to establish, manage and expand their businesses.
KlooBR showcases AI tools for manuscripts
A prominent part of the pavilion is a demonstration of AI-powered publishing tools developed by KlooBR, the 2026 winner of the Disrupt Track. Visitors can see software designed to review and edit texts, provide feedback on manuscripts and suggest revisions.
The demonstration offers a practical example of the technology-oriented work supported through Onshur. Rather than focusing exclusively on conventional publishing-house development, the Disrupt programme also considers digital services that may change aspects of editorial and publishing workflows.
Onshur’s presence at the fair follows the graduation of its 2026 Launch cohort, in which representatives of 16 projects in publishing and the cultural industries were honoured during this year’s event.
At the stand, visitors can find out who is eligible for the programmes, which applicants each track is intended to serve and how the different forms of support work. Those interested in future cohorts can register through the fund’s website, www.onshur.ae, to receive notifications when applications open.
The pavilion forms part of the wider Sharjah International Book Fair programme, connecting publishers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals with initiatives intended to support the development of the publishing sector.
