Our second September 2026 issue is headlined by Captain Pradeep Singh, founder of Aethon Group and Karma Developers, who reflects on more than two decades of building businesses from #Dubai across shipping, real estate, technology, education and #investment. Also in this issue: Jake Dyson on engineering the future with @dyson; Khalil Khamis on building an F&B platform in Lebanon and bringing #Pinkberry back; highlights from the #Sustainability Innovation Forum & Awards 2026; the GCC’s growing #ETF market; @airzaihq’s #AI-powered scent technology; and more. Read the full issue HERE: issuu.com/entmagazineme/docs… ✍️EntME Editorial Team: @tashapupic | Aalia Mehreen Ahmed | @kagustin_ 🎨 Design: Simona El Khoury

Al Marjan Island accounted for nearly two-thirds (64.4%) of all views for off-plan apartments in Ras Al Khaimah as per the region’s leading property portal, @bayut. This is based on an analysis of searches between March and August 2026, highlighting the strong appeal of waterfront and branded developments among buyers exploring the emirate’s new residential supply. The five most-viewed off-plan apartment projects were all located on #AlMarjanIsland and collectively attracted approximately 64% of project views during the period. While Al Marjan Island dominated the off-plan segment, completed properties continued to attract the broadest base of interest across #RasAlKhaimah. Ready homes accounted for 59.4% of residential sales views on #Bayut, compared with 40.6% for off-plan properties. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine…

Mohamad Abbas and Bahaa Eddine Mneymneh are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make painting more accessible through uPaint, a UAE-based startup that turns personal photographs into customized paint-by-numbers kits. The founders, who have worked on business ideas together since their university years, created uPaint around the idea that people should be able to take part in creative activities regardless of their artistic experience. “Creativity should never feel exclusive,” the founders explain. “Everyone deserves to experience the joy, mindfulness, and sense of accomplishment that comes from creating something with their own hands.” uPaint uses AI as part of a proprietary process that converts customer photographs into detailed paint-by-numbers designs. Customers then complete the artwork themselves using the numbered canvas and corresponding paints included in the kit. “We’ve always believed AI should remove barriers, not replace creativity,” Abbas says. “The technology prepares the canvas. The customer creates the artwork.” The model combines digital image processing with a physical product, allowing customers to turn photographs, such as family portraits, wedding images, and other personal memories into paintings. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵’𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘢 (@sheraasharjah), 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵-𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘱𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘫𝘢𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘢’𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/entrep…

UAE #startups will gain greater access to institutional investors, government support programs, and growth resources through a new partnership between the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (@mbrifund) and Dubai Future District Fund (@dubaifuturefund / DFDF). Under the partnership, eligible startups backed by MBRIF can be introduced to DFDF’s network of fund managers, providing a potential route to institutional #capital as they scale. The introductions do not represent an #investment commitment from DFDF or its fund managers. In the other direction, eligible companies in DFDF’s portfolio can be referred to MBRIF to access its programs, support instruments, and federal support channels. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine…

Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Forum 2026 opened with a fireside chat with Wissam Breidy (@WissamBreidy), co-founder of BRDG House, exploring his transition from one of the region’s most trusted television hosts and public figures to entrepreneur and brand-building consultant, and the lessons he has carried from one world into the other. In conversation with George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtugroup/Virtuzone (@Virtuzone_UAE), Breidy talked about his belief that sustainable growth is built when vision, reputation, trust, and purpose align together. Drawing on his wealth of experience across media, branding, and business, Breidy is about to release a book, “The New ROI”, which reframes return on investment as “return on intention. “If you take away the valuation, the numbers and the applause, what makes you wake up every morning and go back to your company? It is your intention. It is the impact you want to make through that company,” he said. “That is what makes us human.” Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/entrep… #TechInnovationForum2026 #EntrepreneurMiddleEast

Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Forum 2026 brought together three leaders working at the intersection of finance, investment, artificial intelligence and security to explore how technology is changing who gets to invest, how they invest and whom they trust. Moderated by Tamara Pupic (@tashapupic), Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Middle East, “The Future of Wealth: How AI is Democratizing Investing” featured Ramesh Murthy, Senior Executive Officer, CUSP Wealth (@cusp_wealth); Viktor Uzunov (@viktortrades), co-founder and CEO, UEB3 (@UEB3ventures); and Naeem Hussain, founder and CEO, LockThreat (@Lockthreatgrc). Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/financ… #TechInnovationForum2026 #EntrepreneurMiddleEast

At Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Forum 2026, Richard Fitzgerald (@fitzyrichard), founder and CEO of Augustus Media (@Augustus_Media), joined Wissam Younane (@wissamyounane), CEO of BNC Media Group, to discuss building Lovin’, regional expansion and the future of media. “The rules of traditional media, such as journalistic ethics and programming standards, still apply, but new forms of media, from streaming to different ways of consuming content, also allow for new rules.” Read the full recap HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/entrep… [✍🏼: @tashapupic]

At Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Forum 2026, Joelle Mardinian, founder and CEO of JOELLE GROUP, reflected on turning her television career into a regional beauty and wellness business. “It wasn’t my decision to become an entrepreneur. I took advantage of a situation.” Read the full recap: mena.entrepreneur.com/social…

From humble beginnings to leading @bayut, @dubizzle and Dubizzle Group MENA (@dubizzlegroup), Haider Ali Khan reflected on his entrepreneurial journey at Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Forum 2026. “You can build something, but if you can’t sell it, that’s where the game changes.” Read the full recap HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine…

One of the most impactful conversations at Entrepreneur Middle East’s Tech Innovation Forum 2026 featured Alain Bejjani (@alainbejjani), investor, author, and global thought leader. In conversation with Tamara Pupic (@tashapupic), Editor-in-Chief, Entrepreneur Middle East, Bejjani talked about #SharkTank Lebanon, looked back at his career at Majid Al Futtaim, and presented his approach to leadership that is featured in his book "NEXT: Leading Through the New Realities", in which he identifies four defining challenges that today’s leaders must address: continual change, artificial intelligence, talent, and sustainability. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/entrep… #TechInnovationForum2026 #EntrepreneurMiddleEast

OpoFinance, an online forex and contracts for difference (CFD) broker serving clients across #MENA and English-speaking Africa, has rebranded as OPO as the company marks five years of #operations. The company unveiled the new identity at Forex Expo Dubai, held on September 22 and 23, alongside a preview of a new digital platform scheduled to launch later this year and technology designed to provide traders with access to their trading data and analytical tools. Read more here: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine…

Standard Chartered (@stanchart) forecasts Oman’s GDP to grow 3.5% in both 2026 and 2027, supported by continued non-oil activity and a positive contribution from hydrocarbon production: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine… The bank expects non-oil growth to remain supported by logistics, manufacturing and continued public investment linked to Oman Vision 2040. “Oman is entering the next phase of its development from a stronger economic position," said Hussain Al Yafai, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Coverage, Standard Chartered Oman. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine…

“We think we’re no longer in a low-volatility environment. We have a higher cost of capital and more dispersion. As investors, our assessment is that you have no choice but to try your best to adjust accordingly. We think that requires a more active approach to investing,” said Ben Powell, Chief Investment Strategist for the Middle East and APAC, BlackRock Investment Institute. “We’ve been seeing a more selective approach from investors for a few years,” Powell said. “First, investors are doing more with less: they want to do more with a smaller number of larger players. Second, as the system evolves, investors are looking more deeply into performance and conducting more granular assessments of risk. The investment process is taking longer, and the amount of data being collected from managers is becoming increasingly important.” Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/financ… [✍: @tashapupic]

The newly released #BlackRock Market Evolution: The Middle East report reveals that Middle Eastern investors still make considerably more private equity and venture capital deals overseas than at home, but the gap is narrowing. “The #GCC will remain a significant exporter of capital, but more of that capital is likely to stay at home. At the same time, we think the GCC will increasingly become an investment destination for global allocators of capital. That process will play out over the coming quarters and years," said Ben Powell, Chief Investment Strategist for the Middle East and APAC, BlackRock Investment Institute, at a media roundtable in #Dubai around the release of BlackRock’s new Market Evolution: The Middle East report. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine… [✍️: @tashapupic]

The UAE Ministry of Finance (@MOFUAE) has opened subscriptions for the second issuance under its Sovereign Retail T-Sukuk Programme, targeting AED50 million and offering a five-year tenor with an annual profit rate of 5.06%. Subscriptions are open from September 23 to 28, 2026, to #UAE nationals and residents, with a minimum investment of AED1,000. The #Shariah-compliant sovereign investment instrument is backed by the UAE Government, with profit distributions to be paid semi-annually. Following allocation, issuance and settlement, the T-Sukuk is scheduled to list and begin trading on #Nasdaq Dubai on October 1, 2026. The allocation is scheduled for September 29, followed by issuance and refunds of excess subscription funds on September 30. The offering follows the inaugural retail T-Sukuk issuance and forms part of the Ministry of Finance’s efforts to broaden individual participation in UAE government investment instruments and develop domestic AED-denominated capital markets. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/busine…

#Banking sits in one place, trading in another, while investments may be spread across multiple apps, advisers and institutions. For many customers, understanding their complete financial position still means piecing together information from disconnected platforms. Dhiraj Kunwar, General Manager of Retail and Business Banking at Commercial Bank of Dubai (@cbduae), argues that this fragmentation no longer meets the expectations of today’s investors, particularly in the #UAE’s active and diverse #wealth market. A growing generation of digitally native investors, he writes, expects real-time visibility, informed insights and the ability to manage banking and investments through one connected experience. “At #CBD, we built CBD Invest to address this gap,” Kunwar writes. Integrated within the CBD mobile app, the digital wealth management platform brings together customers’ CBD accounts and #investment portfolios, as well as external assets held with other institutions, to provide a consolidated view of their net worth. As technology and client expectations reshape the financial industry, Kunwar believes banks must evolve beyond traditional services. "A bank that enables customers to see their complete financial picture, understands how their investments are performing, and assesses whether they are on track to achieve what matters most becomes a trusted partner in managing and growing wealth," he says. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/financ…

For Rajesh Kannan, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking, UAE, International Banking EMEA, Jersey (UK), and Head of Global Indian Clients at Standard Chartered (@StanChartUAE), resilience in wealth management is no longer defined solely by the ability to withstand disruption. “True resilience is the capacity to keep making purposeful decisions through change: protecting what matters, preserving room to maneuver and remaining ready when opportunity emerges,” Kannan states. Having spent two years in the UAE, Kannan sees the country as a clear example of how openness, consistent policymaking, world-class infrastructure and a long-term economic outlook can strengthen investor confidence. He argues that the UAE’s progress is not simply about attracting capital, but about creating the conditions in which that capital can be deployed with conviction. “For investors and families, this creates something increasingly scarce: confidence in the direction of travel. Capital may move quickly, but conviction is built over time,” he writes in his op-ed. The strongest wealth strategies, he explains, are not built around a single forecast or market cycle. Instead, they are designed to absorb shocks, maintain liquidity and allow investors to respond to change without abandoning their long-term goals. That requires a broader view of wealth. Beyond investment performance, Kannan says families must consider governance, succession, liquidity and the ability to make coordinated decisions across markets and generations. “As more wealth is created and managed from the country, the opportunity is to move beyond being a destination for capital and become a center where wealth strategies are shaped,” Kannan notes. “The next chapter is not just about where wealth arrives, but where its future is decided.” Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/financ…

#Dubai’s growth is reshaping not only its skyline, but also the way families decide where to build their lives. With the city’s population exceeding 4.58 million by the end of 2025, including around 600,000 children under the age of 14, Rohan Bhaskar, Managing Director at Meraki Group, argues that residential demand is increasingly being influenced by a question that extends beyond floor plans and finishes: Can a family picture an entire childhood taking shape within a #community? “#Property viewings that once began with a floor plan now often begin with a school run,” Bhaskar writes. "Parents are increasingly shortlisting houses not simply for its built quality, but more for the sense of community in the development, and for what sits within a short drive of the front door, and increasingly that means a good school." As more families plan to remain in Dubai for the long term, he observes that access to good #schools, healthcare, green spaces, fitness facilities, and walkable neighborhoods is becoming central to where they choose to live. Drawing on #Meraki Group’s experience in both real estate development and education, Bhaskar explains that schools should no longer be viewed simply as amenities listed alongside gyms and swimming pools. Instead, he sees them as part of the infrastructure that helps shape demand, strengthens residents’ connection to a place and supports a community’s long-term appeal. "Developments that support family life and create a sense of belonging are more likely to attract longer-term residents, experience lower tenant turnover and generate more resilient demand across market cycles," he says. Read more HERE: mena.entrepreneur.com/growth…