Back to CNN
Content by Dubai
This content was paid for by an advertiser and produced by Create, the branded content studio of CNN International Commercial. The news and editorial staff of CNN had no role in its creation.

Why these three founders
chose Dubai for their
ambitions

Hero bg
Mona Ataya
Mona Ataya
Founder and CEO, Mumzworld
Omar Al Mheiri
Omar Al Mheiri
Co-founder and CTO, Letswork
Jad Antoun
Jad Antoun
Co-founder and CEO, Huspy

Dubai has rapidly become one of the most desirable destinations for ambitious expat professionals and their families

According to Resonance’s World’s Best Cities Report, the emirate is recently ranked as one of the top 10 cities for livability and prosperity in 2024. With year-round sun, world - class services, and commitment to continuous innovation, it’s easy to see the appeal for international tech talent. We met with three founders to hear their stories about why they chose Dubai to start and grow their businesses.

The Dubai founders group
Typing ...
Dubai DET
So, first thing’s first: Why Dubai?
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
Dubai represented the ideal springboard for my ventures.
Typing ...
The vision top down to establish Dubai as the digital hub for the region made me confident that I would have the right enablers in place to build digital assets, or at least the right regulatory support and DNA to create these enablers.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
I’m Emirati, and I’ve always wanted to grow something here and own a business here. My high-level vision was to bring what I learned when I studied in the US back to the country.
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
I’m born and raised in the region, so I already have a lot of emotion and affinity to this part of the world.
Typing ...
When you go to a new country, you can feel directly if it's growth-minded or not, and that’s incredibly attractive for me as well.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
Dubai is such a cool location 🔥. It connects the east to the west and we have so many interesting people coming in and out.
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
In my opinion, Dubai is the best of both worlds. You have the quality of life that Europe and the West has, the open-mindedness and ease.
Typing ...
But also you have a lot of the regional things that I love, like family values, friendship values and closeness to your circles.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
I’m seeing more people come in and actually stay and use Dubai as a HQ. It’s so easy to set up Dubai as a base.
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
I set up Mumzworld in 3 weeks – the company was incorporated, licenses were in hand, banking was set up, first hires secured, and offices rented.
Typing ...
This would have not been possible anywhere else in 2011.
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
Relocation is also super easy as well 🧘‍♂️
Typing ...
In two to three weeks, you have residency.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
What does Dubai offer that other cities cannot compete with?
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
I’ve lived in some of the best cities in the world and I think Dubai can compete with any city out there.
Typing ...
Dubai and GCC feels like you’re the center of the world right now – everyone’s coming here.
Typing ...
The quality of intellectual talent coming into Dubai is improving very quickly.
Typing ...
Some of the top hedge funds are moving here, some of the big VCs are setting up offices here, the big banks are moving here.
Typing ...
And why it’s happening is incredibly simple – people make much more for the same amount of work.
Typing ...
It’s the tax-free environment and the quality of life.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
Setting up a licence is really easy, and I think it was something that was always top of mind for Dubai.
Typing ...
Right now it's as simple as just going online.
Typing ...
There's also the ease of doing business, which is crazy as well.
Typing ...
And the events – we are a bit spoilt for choice here.
Typing ...
There's always something happening so even if you're new here, or even if you're old here, there's always some sort of community you can join in with.
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
All of my technology team is sitting in Dubai today which is, you know, phenomenal.
Typing ...
The ease to attract someone here is incredible.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
Why else do you think that is? What do expats love about Dubai?
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
The standard of living has always been very high.
Typing ...
Security, quality of services, quality of restaurants and all that have always been world class.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
We have so many services that you can’t even imagine.
Typing ...
I think when expats come and move here, it’s a big surprise. For example, there’s an app called CAFU where, if your car’s parked somewhere, a truck will come and fill up your gas.
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
There’s also great schooling across all curriculums, graduating high school students into top global universities.
Typing ...
There’s sun year-round, a robust real estate ecosystem with housing availability across all demographic profiles and foreign ownership, and competitive salaries to global standards.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
How has Dubai’s startup ecosystem evolved since you’ve been here?
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
The city has entrepreneurship in its DNA, starting from its leadership, and I have been fortunate enough to be among the early witnesses of this startup revolution.
Typing ...
In less than 20 years, we went from a city that had limited startup funding, scarce tech talent, unsophisticated supply chain infrastructure and limited digital success stories to a robust supply chain and tech ecosystem and a growing VC pool – attracting some of the best global talent into tax favorable jobs with long term visas.
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
There’s so much capital in the markets now it’s absurd, and the quality of capital is improving like crazy.
Typing ...
For the first time, you have tier 1 funds setting up funds in Dubai; the likes of Sequoia Capital Atlantic.
Typing ...
These types of funds never looked at this part of the world before.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
An incredible, incredible amount of investment has gone into the UAE in the last four years alone.
Typing ...
And think it'll just keep growing as more startups decide to use this as their HQ.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
What do you think is behind this?
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
Significant investments were made in infrastructure and technology, and lots of government think tanks and initiatives were put in place to enable digital disruption.
Typing ...
The government is also actively involved in conversations around digital enhancement and enablers with SMEs and entrepreneurs to have a true pulse on what is needed for continued evolution.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
Right after Amazon acquired Souq, a lot of VCs and foreign investment ended up coming here to look at what people are doing.
Typing ...
People used to think it’s too small of a market, but what's interesting is you're creating such amazing products that actually relate to the diversity that we have in the country.
Typing ...
So it’s a great testing ground and a good HQ location of which you can create something really amazing and spread it out.
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
Dubai has truly established itself as a hub for startups and entrepreneurs.
Typing ...
It has a thriving community of startup incubators and accelerators, many of which offer bespoke programs for every stage of the startup lifecycle.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
Do you have any experience of using these accelerators?
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
We were lucky enough to be part of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF). These accelerator programs are a big catalyst happening in Dubai. Working in an organization is 100 times different than actually starting up your own thing, so the mentorship and handholding you get, having a sounding board, is probably the best thing – especially for solo founders.
Typing ...
Another good thing about the accelerators is they give you that kind of badge of recognition or badge of trustworthiness, which then will allow you to go and unlock different VC funds.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
What about your growth ambitions?
Typing ...
Do you think you can fulfil these in Dubai?
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
We’re a very ambitious company.
Typing ...
My KPI internally is to build a global brand from Dubai.
Typing ...
Without this city, I do not think it would be possible.
Typing ...
There are things you don’t think of that are incredibly important for you to build a large business, that are just a given in Dubai:
Typing ...
Security
Typing ...
Infrastructure
Typing ...
Taxation
Typing ...
Registration
Typing ...
Banking
Typing ...
Moving people here and knowing for sure they’re going to get residency.
Typing ...
You don’t have a big headache that other companies in different cities have.
Typing ...
Even if one day we have a big bulk of business coming from markets outside of the UAE, I don’t see why we’d leave Dubai from a HQ perspective.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
What’s networking like here?
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
There are many networking opportunities here and I am actively involved in ones that have supported my business transitions over the years.
Typing ...
I was the first woman selected as an Endeavor entrepreneur in the region and have served on boards of both EO (Entrepreneur Organisation) and YPO (Young Presidents Organisation) for many years.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
There are so many conferences and events here every year too.
Typing ...
Typing ...
You bump shoulders with some of the big startup founders and the big VCs.
Typing ...
That is without fail the best thing about the Dubai community that has been created: everyone is one or two contacts away from someone else.
Typing ...
There’s even a WhatsApp group for all founders.
Jad Antoun
Typing ...
Jad Antoun
The people here are super friendly and welcoming, and the system is very smooth.
Typing ...
If you want to get connected, someone will find a way.
Typing ...
If you don’t know the person directly, you’ll know someone who knows them.
Typing ...
That’s the culture that we have in the region. That’s our strength.
Typing ...
Dubai DET
Do you have any advice for someone thinking of starting a business here?
Mona Ataya
Typing ...
Mona Ataya
The world is fast changing with technology and AI shifting our paradigms and the way we operate, creating new normals.
Typing ...
An entrepreneur who can identify these shifting trends and is bold and brave to positively disrupt the ecosystem will succeed – and Dubai infrastructure is the best playground to do that.
Omar Al Mheiri
Typing ...
Omar Al Mheiri
Don’t try to do it alone. 😂
Typing ...
There are so many communities, accelerators and incubators that I think will help massively.
Typing ...
Try to tap into the community before you try launching a business.
Typing ...
You always have to make mistakes as a part of the journey, but this will help you make less mistakes.
Typing ...
And then, whatever you have may serve a lot of the people within the community.
Typing ...
So take them as your first customer.
RECENTLY POSTED
image
Dubai is taking the lead on AI
The emirate’s Universal Blueprint for AI aims to infuse the technology into every area of society
— Read More
image
How Dubai became a haven for family wealth
Once a hotbed for in-region wealth, the emirate has become the destination of choice for the internationally affluent
— Read More
image
The sport lover’s guide to Dubai
How to get your fitness fix in the emirate
— Read More
image
Why these three founders chose Dubai for their ambitions
Dubai has rapidly become one of the most desirable destinations for ambitious expat professionals and their families
— Read More
image
Dubai built a city for expats to call home
Sun, sea, a business launchpad and unbeatable quality of life: why Dubai tops the relocation wishlist for people all over the world.
— Read More
image
Behind Dubai’s Ambitious Plan to Set a New Standard for Urban Living
Dubai has developed a bold strategy to revolutionize its infrastructure and community wellbeing
— Read More
image
The world’s FinTech founders are looking to Dubai
Supportive regulators, robust infrastructure, and abundant capital have made Dubai the leading FinTech hub in MEASA
— Read More
image
How the right logistics fueled this eyewear retailer’s fast expansion
In six short years, Eyewa has gone from two to 1,800 employees. They couldn’t have done it without Dubai’s world-class connectivity.
— Read More
image
Why India’s Shipsy chose Dubai to expand its next-gen logistics business
As a dual logistics and technology hub, the emirate made the ideal global springboard
— Read More
image
From Off-Road to Rescue: The Jeep Enthusiasts Using Four Wheels for Good
From raising awareness for charitable causes to coastal clean-ups, meet the off-roaders driving change in Dubai’s community
— Read More
image
Why tech investors are turning to Dubai
Insiders say the emirate’s tech ecosystem has reached a new level of maturity, catching the attention of global investors
— Read More
image
How Dubai’s Apparel Group conquered the world
From nine pairs of shoes to 2,200 stores in 14 countries, Apparel Group’s expansion testifies to Dubai’s global springboard status.
— Read More
image
The making of an international FinTech magnet
FinTech is booming in Dubai and global investors are taking notice. Two co-founders of successful startups share their stories.
— Read More
image
The unicorn incubator that is a “dream come true” for investors
The Dubai initiative that’s growing unicorns – and exhilarating venture capitalists
— Read More
image
How Dubai Fueled the Rise of a Crypto Powerhouse
“Whether you're someone who wants to work in a company or set up your own, there are a lot of exciting developments and momentum in Dubai at a time when other jurisdictions are cracking down,” Ola Doudin, Co-Founder and CEO of BitOasis
— Read More
image
Dubai is the ideal launchpad for manufacturing’s digitized future
A raft of far-reaching initiatives is fueling a high-tech, sustainable industry
— Read More
image
Manufacturing is getting smarter and more sustainable in Dubai
Already home to hundreds of advanced factories, Dubai is doubling down on next-gen manufacturing
— Read More
image
The making of a futurist laboratory
The CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation explains how it is predicting, preparing for, and creating the future
— Read More
image
Where Innovation Meets Investment
Why Dubai is the destination for investors and entrepreneurs seeking a uniquely innovation-friendly business environment
— Read More
image
How digitalization is supercharging Dubai’s economy – in every sector
In its drive for diversified, sustainable growth, Dubai has become a thriving hub for digital innovation across a swathe of economic sectors
— Read More
image
How Dubai is developing the next generation of coders
The emirate has become a tech talent nexus – for established developers and budding coders alike
— Read More
image
How Dubai became the North Star of international tech
The annual Expand North Star convention gathers luminaries from across the world – affirming Dubai’s ascension as a global tech powerhouse
— Read More
image
The agricultural revolution securing future food supplies
Food security is one of the biggest challenges facing humanity. The solutions are emerging in Dubai
— Read More
image
The Innovations At The Heart of Dubai’s Retail Growth
Sky-high standards, an expanding market, and a supportive government have catalyzed a wave of experimentation in the emirate – and a boom in retail
— Read More
image
The Future Of Farming Is Technological
New innovations are promising to feed the world in an increasingly challenging environment
— Read More
image
Creating The Ideal Environment for Digital Success
Digital businesses need flexible legislation and cutting-edge infrastructure to grow sustainably. They’ll find it in Dubai
— Read More
image
Public meets private to shape the future of logistics
Business and government must collaborate to respond to the challenges confronting the sector
— Read More
image
How should cutting-edge tech be regulated?
Regulation has the power to stimulate or limit new technology. Dubai’s sandboxes are striking the right balance between risk and innovation to drive transformation
— Read More
image
The history-making fintech unicorn that puts people first
Hiring a team of top international talent requires a large and diverse talent pool. For one Israeli tech startup, Dubai was the answer
— Read More
image
Liberalized trade is the crux of resilient supply chains
Global disruption is localizing supply chains. But frictionless borders remain crucial to the flow of goods and services
— Read More
image
What's attracting global tech talent to Dubai
Dubai has emerged as a new heartland for the digital workforce. But what makes this destination so compelling for the next generation of tech talent?
— Read More
image
How to build a tech business from scratch
Rupert Tait arrived in Dubai with “nothing but a suitcase.” He had a million-dollar business within three years
— Read More
image
How Dubai is becoming a new capital of global finance
New frontiers are shaking up the old financial order, making way for a fresh generation of investment havens
— Read More
image
What the ‘Careem effect’ means for global tech
The Dubai unicorn’s success signaled the arrival of a major new tech capital
— Read More
image
Where tech talent goes to thrive
In the global race for digital skills, how does a city become a tech talent magnet?
— Read More
image
How to stabilize global supply chains
Years of disruption have put global supply chains under strain. What can logistics carriers do to stabilize networks and get trade flowing again?
— Read More
image
Why the crypto community is embracing Dubai
The leading lights of virtual assets are clustering in this global finance hub. What does that mean for the digital economy?
— Read More
Dubai DET Logo

Discover more success stories from Dubai's entrepreneurs.

Find out more
Mona Ataya
Mona Ataya
Founder and CEO, Mumzworld
Mona Ataya is the founder of Mumzworld.com, the largest mother, child and baby product e-commerce site in the Middle East. Ataya, who is Palestinian-Lebanese, began her career in the US and returned to the Middle East region in 2000, where she co-founded Bayt.com, the Middle East’s leading job site. She also founded Pharmaciaty.com in 2021.
Omar Al Mheiri
Omar Al Mheiri
Co-founder and CTO, Letswork
Omar Al Mheiri is the co-founder and CTO of Letswork, a global co-working space platform. Al Mheiri, who is Emirati, graduated from Boston’s Northeastern University in 2017 with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Shortly after, he joined E25’s entrepreneurship program at EMAAR, where he co-founded Letswork with Hamza Khan.
Jad Antoun
Jad Antoun
Co-founder and CEO, Huspy
Jad Antoun is the co-founder and CEO of Huspy, a prop-tech startup aimed at simplifying the process of buying a home in the UAE. Born and raised in Beirut, Antoun moved to the US for university and then joined a pre-seed company. He moved to Dubai in 2018 to work for VC firm BECO Capital, before building Huspy in 2020.