I’ve been a Software Engineer for years, working with startups around the globe, and I love the fast-paced, builder lifestyle. I’m all about startups, fundraising, and hacking away at new ideas—basically, if it’s about growth or innovation, I’m in.
Recently, I’ve been considering a move to the Middle East to get closer to investors and see if it might kick-start the next phase of my career. The region is clearly ramping up in some really interesting areas: AI, chip development, renewable energy… Meanwhile, Europe (where I’m based) sometimes feels like it’s running a slower race.
So, here’s what I’d love to know:
1. Is the Middle East a good place for someone with a startup mindset looking to launch new ventures?
2. Any specific cities, incubators, or early-stage investors you’d recommend I look into?
3. Bonus: I’m that techie who often gets mistaken for a “management guy” because of my people skills—happens all the time, and it cracks me up…
Any tips, insights, or just general thoughts are super welcome.
P.S. USA is not an option.
Thanks in advance for the help!
a) There are many, radically different Middle Eastern countries that have wildly different opinions and philosophies towards startups. The culture fit is entirely different from what you are familiar with in Europe and will necessitate different business strategies.
b) A majority of the investment funds coming from the Middle East is sourced from unsustainable oil revenue, and is motivated by a neverending hunger for moonshots. Startups that cannot prove their worth immediately are going to be filtered out or cut off.
c) Many Middle Eastern nations (the Emirates, for example) struggle to integrate with global policy. It would not be surprising if your business ended up on an export control list as a result of the UAE's importation of indentured workers from India and Pakistan. And that's only covering the secular concerns...
You should only consider moving your business to the Middle East if there is a directly tangible benefit to the outcome. Otherwise you are pretty much exclusively downgrading the profile, target market and soft-power of your business.