Why own when you can share? Why the sharing economy is booming

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 r…

Sustainable businesses dominating the UAE 

A YouGov survey found 52% of UAE and KSA consumers try to buy from socially and environmentally responsible companies. These female founders are leading that space.  Mariska Nell, Founder of Tails and Tones Jennifer Sault, Founder and MD of Thrift for Good Simona Sotirovska, Co-Founder of The Bo…

Humantra founder on failing, recovering and succeeding

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. 

Emirati Mahmoud Bartawi on forging ahead despite uncertainty

Under500 founder Mahmoud Bartawi says those who freeze during tough times will be left behind. 

Where are the business opportunities right now?

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. 

Practical ways businesses are keeping each other afloat

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.

How well does Dubai really support women founders?

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…

What does resilience in business really mean? 

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 ad…

How the Doorbell of Dreams is helping Dubai entrepreneurs

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 att…

So you've raised some capital - what do you do with the money? 

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.