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I moved to Dubai 16 years in the past with a easy purpose: to construct one thing actual. Submitting my first enterprise license marked the beginning of a fast-moving journey that is taken me via completely different sectors, industries and cycles.
The tempo was a part of the enchantment, however what actually struck me was how rapidly concepts right here may flip into functioning operations. There was power, sure — but in addition infrastructure.
I’ve labored as an entrepreneur, investor and advisor, and Dubai has been the backdrop for all of it. It is a spot that does not sit nonetheless. Town evolves continuously, and in case you’re paying consideration, it pushes you to evolve with it.
Whether or not it was tech, actual property or sectors you not often hear about — like agri-tech or regional logistics — Dubai has all the time rewarded focus and preparation.
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What makes it work
Lots of people speak about Dubai’s geography, they usually’re not flawed. You possibly can attain traders, shoppers and companions throughout three continents in below a day. However what mattered extra to me early on was how rapidly I may get transferring. You do not lose months in pink tape right here. The setup course of was direct. The response time from establishments — banks, regulators, landlords — was quick. It nonetheless is.
The regulatory aspect has matured steadily. Processes that after took weeks now occur via unified portals. The “Spend money on Dubai” platform, for instance, lower out a number of back-and-forth in license functions. Extra importantly, the town places actual weight behind its priorities.
When the management began specializing in AI and clear power, they did not simply make bulletins — they constructed zones, structured incentives and rolled out the platforms to help these ecosystems.
It is quick — nevertheless it’s not frictionless
My first firm in Dubai was arrange in a free zone, which helped with possession and adaptability. The method was environment friendly, however that did not imply it was seamless. Selecting the best free zone, determining which license class made sense, understanding the implications for banking and tax — none of that was apparent. It took steering and native perception to keep away from missteps.
Banking, particularly, required endurance. Rules are tight, particularly for corporations with international shareholders. Timelines can shift based mostly in your trade or your nationality. This is not the place to chop corners. That you must know what paperwork you may be requested for — and why.
Prices are additionally increased than many count on. Workplace area, licenses, visas and medical insurance add up quick. In comparison with organising in locations like Lisbon or Tallinn, the preliminary burn right here was 30–40% increased. That is not a dealbreaker, nevertheless it makes long-term planning much more necessary. Free zone vs. mainland, shared area vs. devoted workplace — these early choices echo afterward.
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The human issue
Enterprise right here is not purely transactional. You may get extra carried out over espresso than over e-mail. An off-the-cuff dialog at an occasion can result in a partnership months later. That human connection issues extra right here than in most locations I’ve labored. And constructing belief takes time.
You needn’t communicate Arabic, however you do want to grasp how issues work culturally. Displaying up on time, following via, studying the rhythm of when to speak enterprise and when to not — all of it counts. This can be a metropolis that is open, however not passive. You adapt to it, not the opposite approach round.
Guidelines change — keep prepared
Dubai strikes rapidly. One instance: the company tax. When the 9% price was launched, it signaled a transparent pivot towards long-term, sustainable progress. We needed to adapt — restructure entities, seek the advice of tax advisors and realign reporting. It was manageable, however solely as a result of we had been watching carefully.
There’s additionally growing scrutiny in sectors like crypto and cross-border funds. Licensing, due diligence, regulatory filings — it is all tightening. Once we developed a product within the funds area, it took us months of groundwork simply to fulfill the documentation requirements for opening a checking account.
What I’ve discovered is that Dubai would not simply implement guidelines — it indicators the place issues are going. Whether or not it is via adjustments in visa classes, ESG reporting hints or updates from DIFC regulators, the indicators are there. You simply have to concentrate.
Constructing in tech — with out borders
A few years later, I shifted into tech. Dubai made that simpler than most locations. We may faucet into regional expertise, rent remotely and handle operations fully via cloud-based methods. There wasn’t a must construct an enormous native workforce earlier than launching. The infrastructure was there.
Expertise right here is really international. I’ve labored with builders in Jap Europe, product leads in North Africa, and designers from Southeast Asia — all coordinated via a Dubai base. Hybrid work is not a novelty right here; it is normalized. Co-working areas, startup hubs and freelancer-friendly insurance policies make it simple to scale with out overcommitting.
Past the core enterprise
I additionally invested in property — some business, some residential. A part of that was sensible: we would have liked area. However a part of it was strategic. The best areas held their worth. A small workplace unit in JLT that I purchased early on ended up doubling in worth over time. That sort of long-term return helped steadiness out the volatility of operating early-stage companies.
Exterior of actual property, I’ve taken half in personal investments, largely in early-stage ventures. One standout was a startup in sustainable packaging with operations between Sharjah and Riyadh. The due diligence took time, however the deal construction was comparatively clear — one thing I credit score to the frameworks right here. You do not want countless layers of paperwork to get issues carried out, which retains the momentum going.
Closing notes
Dubai is not good, and it is not easy. But it surely rewards consistency, adaptability and endurance. If you happen to come right here anticipating instantaneous wins, you may possible be disillusioned. However in case you’re keen to study, regulate and commit, the upside is actual.
I’ve had wins and losses right here. I’ve launched corporations, closed others, made investments that labored—and a few that did not. However I’ve by no means stopped transferring ahead. That is the rhythm of this metropolis. It would not dwell on the previous, and it will not allow you to stand nonetheless.
If you happen to’re serious about organising in Dubai, come ready. Perceive the prices. Study the principles. Respect the tradition. But additionally — keep open. There is no template for achievement right here, however there are countless methods to construct one thing significant.
The skyline may draw you in. But it surely’s the substance — the folks, the tempo, the path — that makes you need to keep.
