Episodes
We look at different ways to access capital for startups with: Tala Khlat, who's Director of Philanthropy for Dubai Holding Peter Tavener, CEO and Co-founder of Beehive Omar Al Yawer, Partner and Chief Capital Formation Officer at Ruya PartnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Esat Canli of Echo Twin AI tells us how to work with the public sector to improve our cities. Got an idea but don't know how to take it further? Here's Simon Lewis - founder and CEO of 3D Actio and Zhupar Teleubayeva, Managing Director of Avela Middle East, formed IDEAS MADE REAL - a programme that gives young GCC nationals a structured pathway to take an early idea, test it, build around it, and turn it into something more commercially viable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When products are late, prices rise and stock suddenly disappears, supply chains stop being an invisible business function - and start being front and centre of the business conversation. This week on Starting Up with Virtuzone, Tom Urquhart and Neil Petch look at how UAE businesses are adapting, from national track-and-trace technology and smarter forecasting to the real-life pressures facing importers, retailers and founders. With insights from EVOTEQ, Desert Forge, SHOEQ and Silk Souq, this episode asks what resilience really looks like when your business depends on goods arriving on ti...
But as crypto companies set up and more people put more money into crypto, we need to know who's regulating these crypto companies. There is a company that works with authorities to ensure your crypto wallet is safe and crypto companies here are all operating above board. That's ACX Compliance. Joining us is Toms Pauders, its CEO and Co-Founder. What does it take to build an AI platform? Rechitta founders Aryaman Maheshwari and Atiksh Mittal tell us all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lush Cosmetics has won the retail game for decades - through economic ups and downs. What's their secret? Anita Baker, MD of Lush Middle East tells Starting Up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Should we rethink the real estate game during uncertain times? Tom and Paul exchange insight with our expert panel: Manar Mahmassani, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Stake Rashed Hareb Al Mheiri, Co-Founder and CEO of Rentify Liam Chase, Associate Director at Arabian AcresSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re talking about the sharing economy — and why some of the smartest businesses today are being built on the fact that many people now… don’t like to OWN things. From cars you access by the minute, to kitchens and workspaces you lease flexibly, to homes turned into high-performing short-term rentals — the old rules of business are changing. We are joined by Hasib Khan, Founder and CEO of Udrive, Shahzad Bhatti, Founder of The Co-Kitchens and The Co-Spaces, and Gregory Lewis, Founder and CEO of AirDXB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charlie Wright tells Tom and Paul how he built a UAE brand that is now recognisable in the UK and other parts of the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Under500 founder Mahmoud Bartawi says those who freeze during tough times will be left behind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ziina, GLEAC and Letswork have found opportunities to still grow and keep the business going during challenging times. If you're a business owner, this is a must listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yango Ride says it will match customers' tips to help their drivers. Plus, we chat about practical ways businesses are keeping each other afloat with Chris Purdie of Receiptable and Nathan Kearny of Executive Search.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the outside, the picture looks strong. Women are visible. Women are launching businesses. Women are building brands and communities. But visibility and genuine support are not always the same thing. Three women who know this first-hand join us on Starting Up this week: Carmen Taubman, Founder of Crew Club, a business community that promises real results from collaborations and connections Amreen Iqbal, Founder and Creative Director of Piece of You - creating which is a division of Pure Gold Group. The focus is on personalised jewellery - and recently one of her designs - a UAE map shap...
We're joined by Denise Lim of Calo and Carnistore's Dan Wanies to talk about what they're doing to reassure their teams and maintain a "business as usual" environment during unusual times. Organisational psychologist Nathan Cornwell and International SOS General Manager Sebastian Bedu also gave advise to business leaders on how to approach uncertainty and talk to their teams about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
HelpBnk, a platform that helps entrepreneurs, has brought the Doorbell of Dreams initiative to Dubai, helping entrepreneurs in the city with support like funding, connections and execution. We meet CEO Adam Moss, and Ahmad and Kareem from DOPA Media, one of the businesses that caught HelpBnk's attention. We also look into how Gen Z consume with Mohammed Virji, Founder of Fashion Rerun, an online shop for vintage clothing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dubai has no shortage of talented and successful business owners. How did they raise capital, and what did they use the money on? We hear from Erika Doyle of DrinkDry, and Rami Tabbara of Stake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Are we teaching our kids to be their own boss? Well, we should be. Tom and Neil chat with Raya Bidshahri, Founder and CEO of School of Humanity and Marilyn Pinto, Founder of KFI Global.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former Dragon's Den Piers Linney warns companies and bosses about the dangers of not having an AI strategy. He is now helping SMEs to navigate its use with his startup Implement AISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tom explores how some businesses set up their models to help other people. Carl Gough, Founder of meetmagic, talks about their Ramadan campaign with Dubai Cares. He is joined by seasoned CTO Adrian Hobbs, who's benefitted from the initiative. Plus, Dubai newcomer Marc Black tells Tom why he moved his property and clean energy businesses to the UAE from the UK and Marbella. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We explore why personal branding matters in business, with Tracy Harmoush, tech entrepreneur and speaker, and social media expert Alexandra, founder of Alex’s House of Social.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tom and Neil tell us why a great idea and an amazing team aren't enough grow a business. The boring stuff, like setting up systems, will ensure scalability and longevity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Yes but with a caveat: We hear from Atinirmal Pagarani, Managing Director of Yogi Group, a Dubai-born family business that spans real estate, property management, facilities services, and construction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Entrepreneur Simon Squibb has inspired millions of people to achieve their dreams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can you run a fully virtual business out of Dubai? Ekta Gandhi and Hannan Moti have successfully done itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tom and Paul explore the leadership landscape of 2025 - and how it can level up in 2026. They're joined by three leaders with different perspectives: Sasha Marashlian, Founder of Imagine FMCG, Farhan Rehman from Rehman Sheriff Group, Nazneen Abbas from Ma’an Legacy & Legal ConsultancySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tom and Neil explore the journeys of two Brits who are coming back to Dubai to live or do business. After years in the property business, Nicky Way is back in the city to launch his newest venture, Little Biga Pizza. And Jason Leavy finds himself doing business in Dubai to expand his executive coaching business, Prime Performance Labs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Elizabeth Morales, Brand Manager of Aura Bakery and Café and Basma Chaieri, founder of Etika Jewels - our featured guests, have built brands that feel premium, emotionally engaging and very Dubai. How did they do it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new Visa Global Economic Insight report has found that while luxury spending is slowing in cities like London and New York, Dubai tells a different story. About 1 in 9 Dubai residents makes a premium purchase every quarter, supported by a huge base of high-earning households. But what really makes a brand luxurious? Manuel Arnaut, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue Arabia, tells Starting Up what really matters to high-end customers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does retirement really look like today, and can you design a life you never need to retire from?Tom Urquhart and Neil Petch sit down with aviation legend Habib Fekih, who reflects on life after four decades at the top of the industry. They also learn a thing or two from Florian Urghetto and Liz Nunez, founders of Easy Wedding, who are living the FIRE lifestyle — Financial Independence, Retire Early.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Our all-female panel tell Tom and Neil how they ditched their pay cheque to take the plunge into starting a new business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
No matter your industry, you can build an AI-powered startup. We have experts in studio who have done it: Nokhez Usman, Psychologist and Founder of MindMe Sonny Sangha, YouTube and software developerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.