r/StartupsInDubai

I’m seeing more people talk about GEO, AI search visibility, and businesses showing up in ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews.

I understand traditional SEO, but I’m trying to understand how different this really is.

For a UAE-based SME, what actually matters if you want AI tools to understand and recommend your business?

Is it mainly:

- Website content

- Schema markup

- Google Business Profile

- Reviews

- LinkedIn presence

- Press and third-party citations

Has anyone here tested this seriously for a Dubai or UAE business?

Curious to hear whether this is becoming real, or if it’s still mostly agency buzzword territory.

I came from technical background thats why i need your help

I have the passions and my team works hard with best quality

we are in the field of artificial intelligence and data.

I have established a company( free zone consulting) and started checking tenders. after checking some public tenders they need lots of certifications, requirements , that 100% I don't have since I had 2 clients before UK based.

need advices from successful people who know these details:

• what is the best way to win tender? where to find them?
• how to manage the contract? directly seems impossible. subcontract? who should i contact? sales or directly contact any consulting company?
• when i find a tender + i connected with a consulting company : should i ask them to apply or apply myself and tell the company that i will be subcontractor

if someone can share knowledge would be grateful to put my feet on the correct direction.

Most UAE SMB IT contracts are structured so the provider makes *more* money when your environment is messy. More licenses, more incidents, more  'projects.' There is no incentive for them to optimize your spend — and most don't.

We do free 30-minute IT cost reviews for SMB owners. No deck, no pitch, just a list of where your money's going and what's actually optional.

We're UAE based.

I’m a solo founder building a UAE-based IT consultancy for SMEs.

My services include IT AMC/managed support, office IT setup, cybersecurity, backups, disaster recovery, websites, CRM/HRMS, VoIP and CCTV.

I’m currently doing this alone, so I want to be smart with my time and focus on the best way to get early B2B clients without Google Ads.

For people who built a service business from zero, what worked best for getting your first clients: LinkedIn outreach, cold email, referrals, networking, partnerships, Google Maps prospecting, or content?

Also, would you position this as a “complete IT partner for SMEs” or focus on one entry offer like IT AMC, cybersecurity audit, backup/disaster recovery, or new office IT setup?

Any practical advice would help

Greetings everyone. We are looking to share our storage space with anyone looking to store items over the summer or even longer.

We have a storage space in alquoz for which we have a contract that runs from January to December. Current headwinds in the business environment have put a massive strain on our cash flow and the landlord isn't supporting in any way.

The storage we have is on the mezzanine level and we store event decorations related items. We can offer separate storage with individual lockable access.

Photos and video of the space will be shared over dm.

Cheers n good day.

Hey Everyone,

Looking to speak with people who have made (and preferably sold) AI automation services to businesses

Would love to see a portfolio if possible. I have some leads and need someone trusted to build them

I am located in Dubai

Look forward to hearing

#life

Been thinking about this problem for a while. Dubai has one of the most multicultural, transient populations in the world, yet there's no real infrastructure for social connection outside of work.

Curious how other founders here have approached the cold start problem for social apps. Specifically: how do you get the first 500 users in a city where trust is low and people are busy?

Building in this space and would love genuine insight from people who've done it.

I’m an expat who founded my company here in Dubai because I was tired of this jungle. When I opened my first Free Zone company, every agent gave me different prices, different timelines, different stories.

I learned my lesson, made my mistakes, and figured out how it actually works.

Now I help people set up Free Zone companies with no extra charge. You pay only the official Free Zone cost — not 1 AED extra. Why do it yourself and risk mistakes when you can pay the exact same amount and have someone handle it properly?

Once your company is open I also do corporate tax registration for free. Then if you need it, I handle bookkeeping and everything you need to stay compliant for just AED 500/month, all included.

Simple. Reliable. Transparent. Professional.

If you’re thinking about setting up in Dubai and want the exact cost breakdown for your situation — DM me.

Happy to help.

Hello All,

Open to suggestions and reviews.

Planning something that brings brands sales first and then asks for commissions from the sale. Does that sound interesting for brands?

If they have to give us a piece from the their sale, and confront charges!

Hello All ☺️

I am fairly new to Dubai and currently seeking Co Founders, I am non tech and currently have a profitable but modest AI company in the UK. I am keeping this separate from the UAE as I intend to either sell or take a back step imminently.

I have a few ideas, business plans and general development plans for the ideas, but I would like to liaise with like minded potential founders and collaborate on general ideas. Ideally I would like the co founder to be tech based, but would consider a like minded co founder with separate skills we could bounce off each other and outsource the tech knowledge elsewhere.

I think this regional instability poses an array of opportunities for if/when Dubai and the UAE become busier again. Could also be the perfect time to build something whilst it is on a downturn. I am ever the optimist 😅

My limited knowledge on the UAE thus far means collaboration would be advantageous, I have options for financial backing, and also currently have a fairly well paid full time income to depend on in the short term.

This message is more just to put myself out there in a region where I don't know all that many people yet.

Thank you for taking the time to read, hope to collaborate or even start something together.

Feel free to DM

Best!

My work involves lot of phone calls. Some days I'm on calls 4 to 5 hours. Is this okay in serviced offices or do people complain? Worried about being that loud person everyone hates.

Hey everyone!

I'm a nutraceuticals exporter from India and we manufacture electrolyte sachets and effervescent tablets. Given Dubai's extreme heat, I've been targeting construction companies and oil & gas firms hydration is literally a safety and compliance issue for their outdoor and on-site workers, so I feel like there's a real fit here.

A few things I'd love your input on:

- What's the best way to reach procurement or HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) managers at these companies? Cold email, LinkedIn, trade shows?
- Are there any industry associations, expos, or networking events in Dubai that would be worth attending for this kind of B2B outreach?
- Any experience dealing with import regulations or distribution logistics for consumables/supplements in the UAE?
- If you're in this space or have connections, I'd love to connect!

Really appreciate any insights this community has been super helpful. Thanks in advance! 🙌