r/uae_startups

I’ve been building something in the UAE that I think has the potential to become much bigger than where it started. It’s called Neighbr platform.

The idea is simple: Why buy something you only need once when someone a few doors away already owns it?

Neighbr is a live marketplace that enables people to rent everyday items, while allowing owners to generate income from assets they already have.

Since launching, what started as a very simple idea has grown into something I genuinely believe could become a new layer of how people access everyday things in this region.

We've been featured by multiple publications, interviewed across UAE radio, and are now beginning to work with established UAE institutions and communities. And all of that happened without outside capital.

Now we are at a point where we know the idea works and the traction is there, but I want to see what Neighbr can become with the right capital and the right person behind it.

I'm currently speaking with investors, and I'd particularly love to connect with UAE family offices and angel investors looking to enter the market who understand marketplaces, consumer businesses, the circular economy, or simply recognize the opportunity in building the rental category properly in this region.

I'm not looking for someone who just writes a cheque.

If that's you, or there's someone you think I should speak to, send me a DM.

Hi everyone,
I’m considering starting an e-commerce dropshipping business in Dubai/UAE and would really appreciate advice from anyone who has actually done it here.
I’m mainly trying to understand:
What licence/trade registration is required for dropshipping?
Is mainland or free zone better for this model?
Can I start without holding inventory, and how does fulfilment/shipping usually work in the UAE?
What are the realistic startup and monthly costs?
How do VAT, corporate tax, customs and returns work for a dropshipping business?
Which payment gateways and e-commerce platforms are easiest to use?
Is it better to source products locally, from China, or through suppliers in other countries?
What are the biggest problems you’ve faced with delivery times, COD, returns, refunds or suppliers?
How much should I realistically budget for testing products and running ads?
For anyone who has tried it in Dubai, what would you do differently if starting again?
I’m looking for real experiences rather than generic advice, especially from people who have actually operated a dropshipping/e-commerce business in the UAE.
Any tips, supplier/fulfilment recommendations, or mistakes to avoid would be really appreciated. also, Which websites/platforms are best for sourcing products for dropshipping?
I’m particularly interested in reliable suppliers with reasonable product costs, good quality, and shipping times to the UAE.
Are platforms like AliExpress, CJdropshipping, DSers, Spocket, etc. actually worth using for the UAE market?
Would you recommend sourcing directly from Chinese suppliers/wholesalers instead of using dropshipping platforms?