Leadership

The Ministry has also amended eInvoicing accreditation rules to enable local companies to partner with international providers, supporting knowledge transfer and accelerating the UAE’s digital transformation.

Kalpesh Khakhria, Group Chairman, and Shivkumar Rohira, CEO EMEA, Klay Group, outline how disciplined advice, long-term focus, and deliberate risk-taking define the firm’s approach to navigating often complex investment landscape.

The founder of Relate Consultancies on building businesses across transport, travel, property, and consultancy—and now helping foreign nationals and international companies establish and grow in the UAE.

Sharjah also highlighted investment opportunities across manufacturing, with exports reaching more than 120 countries.

As businesses across the Middle East navigate the economic aftershocks of regional uncertainties, the stories of these UAE-based small business founders reflect a quiet shift within the nation: resilience is no longer a reactive measure, but built into the core of how businesses are designed and scaled.

“In the UAE, we truly believe that nothing beats doing business."

Achieved amid ongoing global and regional uncertainty, the milestone signals both the resilience of the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s financial infrastructure.

Beyond lean operational models that protect margins, RAKEZ has been able to unlock another core fact: reducing operational risk has become equally central to the equation.

Reda Nidhakou, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based venture builder VentureOne, says the deep technology solutions that will stand the test of time are not necessarily those built on novelty and perfection, but something much simpler.

As of January 2026, women occupy 403 board seats across the GCC, held by 341 individuals, an increase from 390 seats held by 334 women in 2025.

The 2026 edition will offer a perspective on Saudi Arabia’s AI development, tracing its progress from early vision to ongoing implementation.

As the UAE grows both organically and through its ability to attract high-net-worth individuals and professional investors, demand for sophisticated and internationally aligned wealth solutions is rising. For many clients, the UAE is no longer simply a place to live or base a business—it has become the anchor of their broader cross-border wealth strategy.

ANAX Capital founder and Director Tabinda Sanpal on launching a Category A–licensed brokerage firm in the UAE.

A 20 year investor journey to building - Tomorrow World, Founder and Chairman Xu Ma is reimagining how developments can shape the way people live, connect, and thrive.

The country's real advantage is how its systems learn and reorganize under strain.

Chairman and CEO of Al Mashrek Insurance and Reinsurance Alexandre Matossian speaks to the emotional weight and sense of purpose of running a business on the frontlines of crisis.

Governed autonomy is not a limitation on what AI agents can do. It is the architecture that earns them the organizational trust to operate at all, says Abdullah Asiri, Founder and CEO of Lucidya.

Zein Zone’s Zaina Kourki and GAIA Culture’s Patricia Paulina Karrer are reshaping artist financing with an art–tech–finance model that enables emerging regional talent to build long-term brand value.

While many economies show early signs of hesitation under pressure, the UAE has continued to move forward with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

Measures include fee deferrals, liquidity support, and trade facilitation as the emirate moves to ease market pressures and sustain growth.

Ahmad Al-Zaini, Founder and CEO of Foodics, shares how intuition, resilience, and a people-first mindset have shaped one of the region’s leading F&B tech platforms—proving that building a lasting company starts with purpose, not just scale.

In hospitality, resilience is not only operational but also relational. During periods of uncertainty, owner confidence becomes one of the most important assets in the system.

As businesses evolve, many founders find themselves at a crossroads where old strategies no longer deliver the same results, making mindset transformation essential for clarity, resilience, and confident leadership.

Founders should be choosing strategic expansion over retrenchment, reinforcing a long-term growth outlook despite market volatility.

Redefining the UAE investment landscape through Gen-Z innovation and strategic consultancy.

Eligible applicants can apply through the “Emirati” section on the Dubai Now app, with submissions open until June 30, 2026.