Gulf Founders Podcast

Damian and Sam catch up for their monthly tech news wrap-up, opening with Damian's first ride in an autonomous taxi in Dubai before moving through the UAE's first air taxi vertiport at Dubai International, the newly announced Gold Line metro extension, and what the city's transport network reveals about long-term planning. They cover Dubai AI Week and the UAE's regulatory edge in attracting AI talent and investment, then dig into Anthropic's decision not to release a model that proved unusually effective at finding zero-day software vulnerabilities, including what that means for cybersecurity firms, software developers, and the wider threat landscape. They close on the UAE topping the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor rankings for the fifth year running and startup funding crossing $625 million in Q1 2026, with a look at where FinTech, AI, and SaaS sit in the investment mix.

In this insightful interview, Tony from Vispire shares his journey from insurance to company formation in the Middle East, offering expert advice on setting up businesses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. Discover key strategies, common pitfalls, and future trends in regional business expansion.

This episode explores the fast-paced growth of AI and blockchain in the Middle East, highlighting innovations such as fractional property ownership, AI-driven industries, and autonomous vehicles. It also examines their impact on entrepreneurs, government policies, and future opportunities shaping the region’s tech landscape.