Live from Sharjah: The UAE’s start-ups look beyond the conflict

This live edition of The Briefing from Sharjah, UAE, explores how the country's startup ecosystem is navigating economic pressures amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Host Andrew Tuck interviews Najla Al-Midfa, Vice Chair of Sharjah's entrepreneurship centre (Shira), who emphasizes the region's resilience, built through past crises like the pandemic and financial downturns. Despite disruptions in tourism, hospitality, and supply chains due to potential Strait of Hormuz closures, businesses show strong operational preparedness—many now have three months of runway compared to just one post-COVID. Al-Midfa highlights a new $1.5 million entrepreneur resilience fund, combining cash grants and in-kind support like pop-up retail spaces, funded entirely by local corporate partners. She positions Sharjah as a unique hub with a founder-first approach, strong focus on sustainability and edtech, and a rare three-day weekend that fosters work-life balance and side ventures. The episode also covers global developments: Iran’s alleged use of a Chinese satellite to enhance targeting capabilities, BBC’s 10% staff cuts amid shifting media consumption, and a quirky Icelandic airline campaign offering cash to bad photographers. In Paris, Fernando Augusto Pacheco presents a global music countdown featuring tracks from India, the UK/Nigeria, South Korea (BTS), Australia (Taming Parlor), and India again (Sai Abikandar), blending cultural diversity with viral dance trends.