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Starting up with Virtuzone
The Agenda’s Tom Urquhart and our partners at Virtuzone discuss the big issues affecting startups and SME’s in the region. Hear everything you need to know about starting your own business from getting a license to growing your company. Highlights include interviews with entrepreneurs and experts, covering topics including e-commerce, leadership and how to get investors for your business.
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Episodes
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Building a Successful E-commerce Business: From Product Idea to Scaling for Growth
Friday, 10 July 2026
On the final Starting Up with Virtuzone before the summer break, Katie Chambers and Paul Bryson from Virtuzone are joined by Dan Ashburn, CEO and Founder of the Titan Network, and product development and supply chain expert Kian Golzari to explore what it really takes to build a successful e-commerce business in 2026. From identifying winning products and avoiding costly sourcing mistakes to launching online, growing sales, automating key processes and scaling a brand, the discussion is packed with practical advice and real-world insights for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow an online...
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Speak Like a Leader
Friday, 3 July 2026
Blurb:Georgia Tolley and Paul Bryson speak to executive communication strategist Maher Elusini about presence, influence and the habits that help leaders communicate with clarity. They also learn about confidence and self-worth with. Luke Mind Power.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Why Summer Is the Most Underrated Growth Season for Businesses
Friday, 26 June 2026
Tom Urquhart and Neil Petch find out why summer could be one of the most underrated growth seasons for founders and SMEs. Pedro Antunes from PCA Events joins the show to talk about preparation, planning and what businesses should be doing when the pace slows down. Then Lauren Hamilton, Founder and General Manager of Ride Skipper, shares what it takes to build momentum, win support, and keep growing a business that solves a very real Dubai problem. A practical conversation about using the quieter months properly — before the busy season comes rushing back. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...
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Access to funding for all startup stages
Friday, 19 June 2026
We look at different ways to access capital for startups with: Tala Khlat, who's Director of Philanthropy for Dubai Holding Peter Tavener, CEO and Co-founder of Beehive Omar Al Yawer, Partner and Chief Capital Formation Officer at Ruya PartnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How startups work with government
Friday, 12 June 2026
Esat Canli of Echo Twin AI tells us how to work with the public sector to improve our cities. Got an idea but don't know how to take it further? Here's Simon Lewis - founder and CEO of 3D Actio and Zhupar Teleubayeva, Managing Director of Avela Middle East, formed IDEAS MADE REAL - a programme that gives young GCC nationals a structured pathway to take an early idea, test it, build around it, and turn it into something more commercially viable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Supply Chain Wake-Up Call
Friday, 5 June 2026
When products are late, prices rise and stock suddenly disappears, supply chains stop being an invisible business function - and start being front and centre of the business conversation. This week on Starting Up with Virtuzone, Tom Urquhart and Neil Petch look at how UAE businesses are adapting, from national track-and-trace technology and smarter forecasting to the real-life pressures facing importers, retailers and founders. With insights from EVOTEQ, Desert Forge, SHOEQ and Silk Souq, this episode asks what resilience really looks like when your business depends on goods arriving on ti...
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Crypto compliance and AI in real estate
Friday, 22 May 2026
But as crypto companies set up and more people put more money into crypto, we need to know who's regulating these crypto companies. There is a company that works with authorities to ensure your crypto wallet is safe and crypto companies here are all operating above board. That's ACX Compliance. Joining us is Toms Pauders, its CEO and Co-Founder. What does it take to build an AI platform? Rechitta founders Aryaman Maheshwari and Atiksh Mittal tell us all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Winning in retail
Friday, 15 May 2026
Lush Cosmetics has won the retail game for decades - through economic ups and downs. What's their secret? Anita Baker, MD of Lush Middle East tells Starting Up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Buy, Rent, Invest: The New Rules of UAE Real Estate
Friday, 8 May 2026
Should we rethink the real estate game during uncertain times? Tom and Paul exchange insight with our expert panel: Manar Mahmassani, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Stake Rashed Hareb Al Mheiri, Co-Founder and CEO of Rentify Liam Chase, Associate Director at Arabian AcresSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Why own when you can share? Why the sharing economy is booming
Friday, 1 May 2026
We’re talking about the sharing economy — and why some of the smartest businesses today are being built on the fact that many people now… don’t like to OWN things. From cars you access by the minute, to kitchens and workspaces you lease flexibly, to homes turned into high-performing short-term rentals — the old rules of business are changing. We are joined by Hasib Khan, Founder and CEO of Udrive, Shahzad Bhatti, Founder of The Co-Kitchens and The Co-Spaces, and Gregory Lewis, Founder and CEO of AirDXB.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Humantra founder on failing, recovering and succeeding
Friday, 17 April 2026
Charlie Wright tells Tom and Paul how he built a UAE brand that is now recognisable in the UK and other parts of the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Emirati Mahmoud Bartawi on forging ahead despite uncertainty
Friday, 17 April 2026
Under500 founder Mahmoud Bartawi says those who freeze during tough times will be left behind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Where are the business opportunities right now?
Friday, 10 April 2026
Ziina, GLEAC and Letswork have found opportunities to still grow and keep the business going during challenging times. If you're a business owner, this is a must listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Practical ways businesses are keeping each other afloat
Friday, 3 April 2026
Yango Ride says it will match customers' tips to help their drivers. Plus, we chat about practical ways businesses are keeping each other afloat with Chris Purdie of Receiptable and Nathan Kearny of Executive Search.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How well does Dubai really support women founders?
Friday, 27 March 2026
From the outside, the picture looks strong. Women are visible. Women are launching businesses. Women are building brands and communities. But visibility and genuine support are not always the same thing. Three women who know this first-hand join us on Starting Up this week: Carmen Taubman, Founder of Crew Club, a business community that promises real results from collaborations and connections Amreen Iqbal, Founder and Creative Director of Piece of You - creating which is a division of Pure Gold Group. The focus is on personalised jewellery - and recently one of her designs - a UAE map shap...
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What does resilience in business really mean?
Friday, 6 March 2026
We're joined by Denise Lim of Calo and Carnistore's Dan Wanies to talk about what they're doing to reassure their teams and maintain a "business as usual" environment during unusual times. Organisational psychologist Nathan Cornwell and International SOS General Manager Sebastian Bedu also gave advise to business leaders on how to approach uncertainty and talk to their teams about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How the Doorbell of Dreams is helping Dubai entrepreneurs
Friday, 27 February 2026
HelpBnk, a platform that helps entrepreneurs, has brought the Doorbell of Dreams initiative to Dubai, helping entrepreneurs in the city with support like funding, connections and execution. We meet CEO Adam Moss, and Ahmad and Kareem from DOPA Media, one of the businesses that caught HelpBnk's attention. We also look into how Gen Z consume with Mohammed Virji, Founder of Fashion Rerun, an online shop for vintage clothing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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So you've raised some capital - what do you do with the money?
Friday, 20 February 2026
Dubai has no shortage of talented and successful business owners. How did they raise capital, and what did they use the money on? We hear from Erika Doyle of DrinkDry, and Rami Tabbara of Stake. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How to raise entrepreneurial children?
Friday, 13 February 2026
Are we teaching our kids to be their own boss? Well, we should be. Tom and Neil chat with Raya Bidshahri, Founder and CEO of School of Humanity and Marilyn Pinto, Founder of KFI Global.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How can businesses and leaders embrace AI
Friday, 6 February 2026
Former Dragon's Den Piers Linney warns companies and bosses about the dangers of not having an AI strategy. He is now helping SMEs to navigate its use with his startup Implement AISee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Beyond Profit: Can you set up a business for social good?
Friday, 30 January 2026
Tom explores how some businesses set up their models to help other people. Carl Gough, Founder of meetmagic, talks about their Ramadan campaign with Dubai Cares. He is joined by seasoned CTO Adrian Hobbs, who's benefitted from the initiative. Plus, Dubai newcomer Marc Black tells Tom why he moved his property and clean energy businesses to the UAE from the UK and Marbella. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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From personal brand to company brand
Friday, 23 January 2026
We explore why personal branding matters in business, with Tracy Harmoush, tech entrepreneur and speaker, and social media expert Alexandra, founder of Alex’s House of Social.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Want a successful business? Build solid systems
Friday, 16 January 2026
Tom and Neil tell us why a great idea and an amazing team aren't enough grow a business. The boring stuff, like setting up systems, will ensure scalability and longevity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Is it too late to join the property game?
Friday, 9 January 2026
Yes but with a caveat: We hear from Atinirmal Pagarani, Managing Director of Yogi Group, a Dubai-born family business that spans real estate, property management, facilities services, and construction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What's your dream? Simon Squibb on helping people succeed
Friday, 9 January 2026
Entrepreneur Simon Squibb has inspired millions of people to achieve their dreams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Running a virtual business out of Dubai
Friday, 12 December 2025
Can you run a fully virtual business out of Dubai? Ekta Gandhi and Hannan Moti have successfully done itSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Do we need a leadership refresh in 2026?
Friday, 5 December 2025
Tom and Paul explore the leadership landscape of 2025 - and how it can level up in 2026. They're joined by three leaders with different perspectives: Sasha Marashlian, Founder of Imagine FMCG, Farhan Rehman from Rehman Sheriff Group, Nazneen Abbas from Ma’an Legacy & Legal ConsultancySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Great Dubai Comeback
Friday, 28 November 2025
Tom and Neil explore the journeys of two Brits who are coming back to Dubai to live or do business. After years in the property business, Nicky Way is back in the city to launch his newest venture, Little Biga Pizza. And Jason Leavy finds himself doing business in Dubai to expand his executive coaching business, Prime Performance Labs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How to create an upmarket brand
Friday, 21 November 2025
Elizabeth Morales, Brand Manager of Aura Bakery and Café and Basma Chaieri, founder of Etika Jewels - our featured guests, have built brands that feel premium, emotionally engaging and very Dubai. How did they do it?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What REAL luxury feels like in Dubai
Friday, 21 November 2025
A new Visa Global Economic Insight report has found that while luxury spending is slowing in cities like London and New York, Dubai tells a different story. About 1 in 9 Dubai residents makes a premium purchase every quarter, supported by a huge base of high-earning households. But what really makes a brand luxurious? Manuel Arnaut, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue Arabia, tells Starting Up what really matters to high-end customers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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