Why the UAE Is Becoming the World's Startup Capital | SEF Backstage Pass Podcast

What makes the UAE one of the best places in the world to start and scale a business?In this episode, Greg Pearce, Senior Vice President at du, shares his perspective on entrepreneurship, SMEs, customer experience, technology adoption, and the role public-private partnerships play in helping businesses thrive.From the UAE's vision for economic diversification to the rise of AI-powered businesses and the future of entrepreneurship, Greg explains why small businesses have become a critical part of the country's long-term growth strategy.Timestamps00:00 – Why the UAE is an example for entrepreneurs worldwide00:22 – Introduction to Greg Pearce01:00 – Why SMEs became a major focus after COVID02:50 – Comparing the UAE and UK startup ecosystems04:05 – Why the UAE is built for entrepreneurs04:57 – Public-private partnerships and innovation06:00 – Upskilling 10,000 entrepreneurs across the UAE07:10 – Why SMEs matter more than ever07:58 – The UAE's vision for becoming a startup capital09:10 – How AI is helping small businesses compete10:30 – How telecommunications has evolved over the years11:25 – Why connectivity is no longer enough12:35 – Building an ecosystem for entrepreneurs13:05 – How du measures success beyond revenue14:15 – Creating better customer experiences through technology15:20 – The importance of customer trust16:00 – Why customer experience drives business growth17:05 – Putting customers at the center of every decision18:00 – Removing friction for entrepreneurs18:55 – Helping turn the UAE's vision into reality19:20 – Final thoughts and closing remarks🎧 Watch the full episode to learn why entrepreneurship, technology, and customer experience are shaping the future of business in the UAE.This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.Follow SEF:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahefTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahefLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festivalWebsite: https://sharjahef.com