Dubai continues to enhance its global appeal as a leading destination for business, investment, and tourism, benefiting from a flexible regulatory environment, advanced infrastructure, and extensive international connectivity that makes it an ideal platform for startups and entrepreneurs aspiring to expand globally. This model has contributed to solidifying the emirate's position as a hub for launching innovative projects into regional and international markets, attracting elite investors and business leaders from around the world.
In this context, billionaire investor Kevin O'Leary, one of the world's most prominent investors and a star of the Shark Tank program, praised Dubai's growing status as a global business center, affirming that "if given the opportunity, he would choose to establish a company in Dubai," given its strategic location and ability to serve Asian and European markets from a single operational base.
O'Leary's remarks came during an extensive 103-minute interview with Dubai-based entrepreneur and founder of Teatret Business School, Pratham Mittal, which addressed the future of entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, startup building, and leadership in the evolving global business landscape. The discussion touched on the fact that entrepreneurs were asked to submit proposals and policies that would accelerate their business growth in Dubai, with several of these recommendations being implemented within a few days. O'Leary described this approach as a model of "enlightened leadership" that contributes to stimulating innovation and supporting business growth.
O'Leary also emphasized that the success of startups depends not only on ideas but also on the quality of execution and the existence of genuine market demand. He pointed out that approximately 80% of startups fail, while those that build their businesses on strong commercial foundations and a continuous ability to adapt to changes succeed.
He affirmed that technology and artificial intelligence are important tools for growth, but they do not replace sound management principles and operational discipline. He cautioned against being swept away by the "content noise" resulting from the rapid expansion of AI applications.
