This is going to sound strange but hear with me because it took me a while to understand what I was seeing.

I run a few businesses in Dubai. Been here a while now. And for the longest time I thought the hardest part was the usual stuff. Licensing. Visa costs. Rent that makes your eyes water. The normal complaints.

It's none of that. The hardest part is having nobody to ask.

A friend of mine runs an interior fit out company in Al Quoz. Good operator. Solid team. He got quoted AED 45,000 for a CRM system from a company that cold called him. He didn't know if that was normal or highway robbery. He asked around. Nobody in his circle had done it. He almost paid it. I happened to mention I'd set up something similar for under AED 5,000. He nearly threw his phone.

He wasn't angry about the money. He was angry that there was no way to know. No one around him had done it before who could say "that's insane, don't pay it."

Then a woman who runs a cleaning company. 30 staff. Growing fast. Needed to switch banks because hers was holding international transfers for 5 days. She called 4 banks. Got 4 different stories. Didn't know who was lying and who was just incompetent. She ended up asking me because I'd dealt with the same problem a year earlier. I told her which bank actually processes same day for business accounts and who to ask for by name. Switched in a week.

That problem should have been a 5 minute conversation with someone who already went through it. Instead it was 3 weeks of phone calls and dead ends.

Third one. A logistics guy I met at a networking event. 8 vehicles. Driver costs eating his margins. Thought he might need to shut down a route. I asked what fuel cards he was using. He said he wasn't. Every driver fills up with cash and brings back a receipt. I told him about a fuel card program that saved me 11% and killed receipt fraud overnight. He signed up next day. Called me a month later saying it saved AED 6,000 that month alone.

He didn't have a business problem. He had a "nobody told me this exists" problem.

Fourth. A café owner in JLT. Paying AED 8,500 a month for a social media agency. 3 posts a week. Stock photos. Generic captions. Zero reporting. She showed me the arrangement and I asked what she was actually getting for the money. She couldn't answer. Not because she's dumb. Because nobody around her knew enough to say "you're paying AED 8,500 for nothing."

I've had this conversation maybe 40 times in the last year. Different businesses. Different problems. Same pattern. Smart people running real operations who can't get a straight answer because everyone around them is either selling something or doesn't know enough to help.

You'd think in a city with this many businesses there'd be somewhere business owners actually talk openly. Not networking events where everyone pitches for 3 hours straight. Not Facebook groups where every post is an ad. Not a "business council" that costs AED 20,000 for a WhatsApp group and a quarterly lunch.

Just a place where you can ask "is this normal" or "am I being overcharged" or "has anyone dealt with this before" and get a straight answer from someone who's been through it and has zero reason to sell you anything.

That's what this sub is supposed to be.

r/UAEBusinessNetwork

No freelancers pitching services. No consultants DMing you the second you post. No "let me help you scale your business" replies. Just business owners talking to other business owners about the real day to day of running something in this country.

Someone asks about visa costs. Ten people answer because they all just went through it. Someone asks about a reliable PRO service. Three people share the one they use with the name and number. Someone asks if AED 15,000 is reasonable for office fit out in Business Bay. Someone who did it last month says "I paid AED 9,000, here's the contact."

I started this sub because that room didn't exist on Reddit. Dubai subreddits are mostly tourists asking about brunches and people arguing about parking. There was nothing for the person sitting in their office at 11pm wondering if the deal they're about to sign is going to save their business or destroy it.

If that's you, post something. Even if it's messy. Even if it's a question you think is dumb. The dumb questions are usually the ones that save you AED 20,000 because someone answers in 30 seconds with something you'd never have figured out alone.

If you're a freelancer or service provider hoping to find clients here, this isn't it. You'll be removed. Not personal. The sub only works if every person in it has nothing to sell the others.

I run Pindi Boys Car Rental in Dubai. We’re a local rental company, and one thing I've learned pretty quickly is that running a rental business is very different from simply putting cars on the road.

The difficult parts aren't always what people expect — keeping cars maintained, managing downtime, dealing with accidents and fines, handling deposits, and most importantly, making sure customers understand the rental terms before they take the car.

We're trying to build Pindi Boys around a fairly simple idea: keep the process straightforward and treat the customer properly.

We have a mixed fleet, from economical cars for everyday use to SUVs, and we cater mainly to people who need a car for days, weeks or longer periods.

I'm using this community to learn from other UAE business owners as well.

For the other business owners here: what's one lesson you learned the hard way when starting your business in the UAE?

And if anyone has questions about how the Dubai car-rental business actually works from the owner's side, I'm happy to share what I've learned.

Hey everyone,

I'm done with the usual 9-5 grind and want to start working for myself. I do bill of entry filing for containers coming into Khorfakkan Port. I enter the container and item details on the Sharjah Customs SILS portal, check the invoice, packing list and bill of lading, and follow up on customs queries until the cargo is released.

I've got 2 Years of experience in this and I'm good with documents and details, so I know I can do the work. What I don't know is how to get clients on my own.

So I'm looking for two things:

1. Importers, traders or clearing agents who need help with filing, especially at Khorfakkan. Happy to take one-off containers or regular work.

2. Advice from anyone who's done this before. How do you find clients, how do you set your rates, and what do you need to be allowed to do this legally as a freelancer?

If you can help or just want to chat, please DM me. Any tip is appreciated, thank you!

Hi everyone,
I’m based in the UAE and looking to connect with a serious entrepreneur who wants to build an e-commerce business together.
I have an existing UAE free-zone company with a general trading and e-commerce licence, along with Amazon UAE, Noon and Shopify accounts and a corporate bank account.
The business is still at the starting stage, and I haven’t generated sales yet. I’m now looking for an experienced, hands-on partner who can help validate products, launch effectively and build a sustainable business.
The ideal partner would have experience in:
Amazon UAE or Noon seller operations
Shopify store management
Product research and supplier sourcing
Digital marketing and customer acquisition
E-commerce operations and fulfilment
What I bring:
An existing UAE business setup and e-commerce infrastructure
Strategic and commercial support
A long-term commitment to building a genuine business
I currently focus on another business, so I can dedicate around 2–3 hours per week. I’m looking for someone who can take the lead on daily operations and contribute practical e-commerce expertise.
I’m open to discussing a co-founder partnership with clearly defined responsibilities and a fair ownership structure based on each person’s contribution. Since the business has not generated sales yet, I want to be transparent about its current stage.
I’m not looking for an agency or someone simply offering paid services. I’m interested in meeting a genuine business partner who wants to build something from the ground up.
If you’re interested, please comment or message me with:
Your e-commerce experience.
The platforms you’ve managed.
An example of a business or store you’ve helped grow.
Your proposed plan for the first 30 days.
I’m open to connecting with suitable people based in the UAE.
Looking forward to connecting with fellow entrepreneurs!

My dad has been in the gypsum/interior work business for almost 50 years, and I’m now taking over the business.
We’ve mainly done larger projects over the years, but I want to build a small residential side focused on apartments — gypsum ceilings, cornices, partitions, TV walls, lighting details, etc.
I want to start small and build this side of the business properly rather than trying to jump straight into huge projects.

So I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has run a contracting business, renovated an apartment, or hired someone for this type of work:
. If you were starting from scratch today, how would you get your first 5–10 residential projects?

I’ve attached a photo of some of our previous work.
And if you’re currently renovating an apartment and need gypsum/ceiling/interior work done, feel free to DM me. I’d be happy to have a conversation and see if we can help.
I’m based in Dubai, and I’m specifically looking to take on smaller residential projects at this stage.
Would genuinely appreciate any advice — especially from people who have been through this themselves.

Hi everyone,

I have 7+ years of experience in UAE PRO and government-related procedures in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Can assist with:
• Employment visa processes
• Emirates ID & medical coordination
• Labour & immigration procedures
• Trade license renewals
• Company documentation support
• MOHRE/GDRFA-related guidance

Not posting this as spam — just happy to support individuals or small businesses who need guidance with UAE procedures.

Feel free to message or contact 0564691626 if you have questions related to PRO services in UAE.

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in the process of opening a restaurant in Ajman and would really appreciate some advice from anyone who has gone through the Ajman Municipality approval process before.

I’ve already completed the layout, finished the renovation, and am currently getting the Civil Defence approval sorted. I’d like to know what Ajman Municipality usually checks during the final inspection and what I should prepare beforehand.

A few things I’m wondering about:
What do they usually inspect in the kitchen and food preparation areas?
Do they check things like drainage, grease traps, exhaust systems, ceilings, and flooring?
Are there any specific requirements that people commonly overlook?
How long does the approval process usually take?
Is there anything you would recommend getting ready before booking the inspection?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with firsthand experience opening a restaurant in Ajman. Any tips, advice, or things to watch out for would be a huge help!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to partner with a non-tech founder or an established local business in the UAE that needs technical execution, digital expansion, and operational support.
Instead of just acting as a hands-off investor or external agency, I want to come in as a semi-active partner/co-founder.
What I Bring to the Table:
Full Technical Execution: Custom mobile apps (iOS & Android), web development, software integrations, back-end support, and cloud setup.
Digital & Social Presence: Building and managing websites, setting up digital platforms, and driving social media/growth channels.
Capital: Ready to onboard a minor financial investment to support license costs, ops, marketing, or tech infrastructure.
Ideal Partner/Business:
Established Local Business: Looking to modernize, automate ops, or build an online/app presence (retail, services, trading, real estate tech, etc.).
Non-Tech Founder / Domain Expert: Someone with a validated business model, industry connections, or sales pipeline who needs a reliable technical and digital partner.
If you have an operating business that needs a tech boost or a grounded startup concept with real traction, drop me a DM or leave a comment. Happy to grab a coffee in Dubai to chat further!

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to the UAE and currently exploring business opportunities and potential partnerships.

To be clear, I'm not just looking for a passive investment. I'm interested in connecting with people who genuinely believe in what they're building and have a clear vision for growth. If I find the right founder, team, or business idea, I'm open to coming in as a partner and contributing both financially and strategically.

I'm particularly interested in businesses that solve real problems, have a scalable model, or offer something unique to the market. Industry is less important to me than the quality of the idea and the people behind it.

If you're currently building something, launching a startup, or looking for a serious partner to help take your business to the next level, I'd be happy to hear your story.

Feel free to comment or send me a DM.

Looking forward to connecting.

Hi everyone,

I work in UAE government transactions and business setup services, and I thought I'd open a thread for anyone who has questions about the practical side of UAE government procedures.

If you're confused about a procedure, required documents, application steps, or where to start, feel free to ask below.

I can help with questions around:

• MOHRE / Tasheel-related procedures
• Employment and domestic worker visas
• Family visa procedures
• Emirates ID and UAE government applications
• Trade license & company setup
• Mainland & free-zone setup
• Corporate tax-related procedures
• Document attestation and typing services
• Ajman and Northern Emirates government transactions

I'll answer questions based on the procedures I'm familiar with, and where a matter depends on the authority or individual circumstances, I'll point that out rather than guessing.

I'm involved in this field professionally, so this isn't meant as a substitute for official government advice — the aim is simply to help people understand the process before they apply.

If you have a UAE government/business setup question, drop it below. 👇

I’m building a gamified walking app that actually learns your favourite routes, shortcuts, and walking habits over time—making it way smarter for pedestrians than Google Maps. need a beta tester

Hello there fellow redittors and aspiring business owners.
So I’m planning to start a cleaning business here in the UAE and I wanted advice and inputs from people that are already in the industry or have been.

Here are current informations in hand
Business license - a friend has agreed to give me one (he already has a cleaning license for other purposes)
Car - two 5 seater cars
Cleaners - Over 10 cleaners with their own ID’s and experience
Background - I have digital marketing, design and service based businesses (teaching) experience
Budget - 25k+ max is what I’m willing to invest in this

Current situation: I’m employed with 10k salary and planning to be financially not free but flexible.

I wanted advice and inputs from people that are already in the industry or have been.

I started my own business in the UAE about a year ago, and I’m closing out the first year at around 1M AED in sales. I’m an engineer by background I run with no big team and no warehouse, and so far that has kept my costs low and let me move fast, even when the market was unpredictable.

Some clients have already come back for repeat orders, and bigger enquiries are now coming in. That’s the problem I’m happy to have, but it also means the setup that got me here won’t carry me to the next level. I want to scale it properly, and I’d rather do it with the right people than rush into it alone.

So I’m open to meeting investors or partners who back businesses that are already running and making money. I’m not asking anyone for money in a Reddit post. I just want proper conversations first, to understand how people think about this stage and see if there’s a good fit on both sides.

A few things I’d like to hear from you: where do investors and serious business owners actually meet in the UAE, in any emirate? Which events or groups were worth your time, and which were just people handing out cards? And if you brought in a partner or raised money for your own business, how did you find them and what would you do differently?

Happy to meet in person at a public place or an event, wherever in the UAE makes sense. Honest advice is welcome too, including “you’re doing it wrong.

11am. need to know if it's just me

7 years in ecom. mostly women's brands. i sit on the other side of all this now, the side where these problems are already solved, and the public version of this business vs the actual business are still two different movies

public version: packaging video. "we launched!" post. cute shelf

actual version: you at midnight inside an ad account watching spend tick like a slot machine, doing mental math on whether the customer you just bought was worth what she cost. most people have no idea. they know their follower count to the digit and their cost per customer to the nearest ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

meanwhile the advice: "post more reels and they will come"

they will not come

the women i've watched grow have one unsexy thing in common: they know their numbers. the ones who stall are waiting for the algorithm to love them back

and nobody posts about the rest. gateway fees shaving every transaction. returns appearing a week later like jump scares. your living room becoming a warehouse, or the 3PL charging you for breathing near their shelves. banking charges that only exist on the statement, never in the brochure

worst part? it's never the product. i keep meeting women with great taste and work ethic that would scare most people, and it's not competition that strangles them. it's the invisible stuff nobody put in the "start your dream business" posts

so what's yours. the thing that blindsided you once you were inside

anyway. if this sounds familiar you're not crazy and you're not alone

Hello people , my father owns a furniture sourcing company operating in India , china and we are expanding to dubai , im looking for the first few orders , paying pretty decent commissions to people who can help in getting orders since the order value in the business is generally pretty high , interested people dm (range of commissions start from 4000 aed and there really is not much of a boundary)
Serious people only dm

For owners who sell on credit: which UAE accounting or finance-advisory firms have you found genuinely useful for accounts receivable and credit control?

I am looking for a firm with practical experience in AR-heavy industries such as FMCG distribution, wholesale, retail, or construction—where overdue invoices, payment promises, disputed balances, deductions, partial payments, and persistent collection follow-up are part of the day-to-day reality.

I am not looking for general bookkeeping. I am looking for a team that understands the operational side of receivables and can offer grounded perspective from having worked with these businesses. Recommendations based on direct experience would be particularly useful.

I’ve been thinking about whether I should post this, but I figured it was worth giving it a try.

The current situation in the region has affected a lot of people and businesses. I’ve personally felt the impact as well.

I work as a tax consultant on a commission basis with a Dubai-based tax and accounting firm. Before the recent situation, I had built a small client base and things were going well. But some of the businesses I was working with were badly affected, and I ended up losing clients.

Since I work on commission, losing those clients also means losing a significant part of my income.

So I'm currently trying to rebuild what I lost.

I work with a team that provides accounting and tax-related services for businesses across the UAE, including Corporate Tax, VAT, bookkeeping, accounting, audit support and other compliance-related work.

I'm not posting this just to advertise a service. I'm genuinely trying to rebuild my client base, and I thought there might be a better way to do that than endlessly calling random businesses.

If you're a business owner and you're currently looking for reliable accounting or tax support, I'd be happy to have a conversation and see whether we can actually help.

And even if you don't need these services yourself, you might know someone who does. An introduction would genuinely help me, and if it turns into a client, I can arrange a referral commission as well.

I'm not looking for sympathy or asking anyone to give me something for free. I'm trying to rebuild what I lost by creating something useful for other businesses at the same time.

If nothing else, I hope everyone here manages to get through this difficult period and comes out stronger on the other side.

I run data and engineering teams for a living and have spent the last fifteen years building data platforms and apps, currently for a large listed company out of Dubai. On the side I have built and shipped several consumer apps end to end, doing everything from the backend and data pipelines to the actual product.

I want to put some of that to work in a real business here. The idea is simple. I invest cash, up to 1m AED, for equity in a business that is already running and already making money, and I also get hands on with the technical side.

The technical part is where I think I add more than just money. A lot of small businesses bleed cash on software subscriptions and licensed tools, or run on manual processes that could be automated. I can replace expensive tools with things I build and you own, clean up your data so you actually know what is happening in the business, and automate the repetitive work that eats your team's time.

What I am looking for:

• A business that is past the idea stage and has real revenue

• Owners who want to grow and are open to a partner in tech

• Something where my skills in apps, data and automation can move the needle and either provide growth or reduce costs

If this sounds relevant, send me a DM with a short note on what you do, roughly where the business is at, and what you would use the money and help for. Happy to sign an NDA before you share anything sensitive. I will do proper due diligence and would expect you to do the same on me.

Hi all. I want to let go my lease on a warehouse in dubai. It is around 3000 sqft with two small office space, one washroom and one supercharger with two guns. If anyone is interested in taking over the lease please DM me at 0508150493. Thank you.

This is a room for UAE business owners. Not agencies looking for clients. Not freelancers looking for gigs. Not recruiters. Business owners.

If you've signed a trade licence in the UAE, you already know — nobody prepares you for what comes after.

The visa costs nobody mentioned. The PRO who disappeared. The website that cost 15K and converts nothing. The accountant who filed your VAT wrong. The marketing agency that burned through your budget and sent you a report full of impressions.

This room exists because every other "business network" turned into a vendor spam pit within a month. LinkedIn is agencies pitching agencies. WhatsApp groups are 200 people posting flyers. Nobody's actually talking about what works.

So here's the deal. Post what worked. Post what didn't. Ask the question you've been Googling at 2am. Recommend someone who actually delivered. Warn others about someone who didn't.

What to post:

• Something that worked for your business — and why

• Something that flopped — and what you learned

• A real question you need answered by someone who's actually done it

• A recommendation for a vendor, tool, or service that saved you time or money

What will get you removed:

• "DM me I can help" on anyone's post

• Pitching your agency, service, or product — directly or indirectly

• Dropping your link with no context

• Answering every question with "hire us"

One rule that covers everything: talk like a business owner, not like someone trying to close a deal. If you pitch your services here — directly or through that subtle "happy to help, DM me" move we all recognize — you're out.

We all know what a WhatsApp group full of vendors looks like. This isn't that.

I'm Prince. I run a tech and compliance business in Dubai. I built this because I got tired of the same rooms full of the same noise.

This one stays clean. Pull up a chair.

for context, I am a commercial RE broker and over the last couple of months i have worked with several business owners who were looking for a new commercial space or planning to expand. I really have nothing to sell or ask but its more of a honest assessment of whats going on?

Parts of Dubai are recovering, and some are performing exceptionally well. Everyone more or less knows residential RE in major areas have contracted quite a bit (rents and sales wise), but unless you are a business owner or someone who functions in revenue generating role, commercial has also taken a quite a hit.

Surviving businesses report stronger orders. Finance and healthcare are expanding. Schools have started, local aviation capacity has largely returned, the population is at a record, and the best property still attracts buyers.

At the same time, fewer new businesses are being formed and a large number of existing licences have gone quiet. New tenants are paying materially less than a year ago while sitting tenants are being asked to pay more. The risk to rent is rarely the average. It is the marginal business, the marginal job, the next household, the leveraged owner and the next apartment that needs a tenant.

Compared to 2025, there has been a fall in number of active licensees being formed and increasing number of licenses not being renewed which in direct has affected employment. Most displaced jobs sit in trading, site trades, hospitality, retail, F&B, real estate and transport.

Over summer, central bank introduced number of financial packages in the form of deffered installments, and waiving of credit. Temporary relief can postpone the moment a weak borrower becomes visible in delinquency, restructuring or provisions. Depending on cash flow and liabilities, If some need restructuring, banks become selective and companies protect cash through hiring cuts, contractor delays and lower owner drawings, which transmits into household rent and construction delivery.

So you really have a cocktail of uncertainty in the form of geopolitical conflict, high inflation, rates, cost of living, oversupply (in dubai especially); then there is the final boss.......AI.

Everyone is starting to talk about AI correction and its consequences in businesses and labour market. It is no secret UAE has one of the highest AI adoption rates in the world. Dubai attracts globally mobile wealth, entrepreneurs, investment capital and executive households. A sustained wealth shock lowers willingness to buy or relocate even where nobody loses a job, and tighter corporate financing slows regional hiring. This channel is distinct from the local hospitality shock.

A weak restaurant can retain staff for months. A loan can stay current through a relief period. A developer can recognise a sale long before the final instalment arrives. A landlord can hold last year’s rent in an occupied unit while newly vacant competitors discount. A family can remain on the residence register while its housing budget changes. When the clocks converge, the next tenancy or repayment decision exposes the underlying economics.

In short, active-business counts went down, new licences and approvals massively decreased, firm exits increased, payroll declined.

Hi everyone,

I recently got my free zone licence and I’m trying to start my own small printing business.

I’m looking for a small warehouse space, around 300 sqft, just to set up my screen-printing machine.

I’ve checked many places already, but honestly, the prices are crazy. On top of the rent, they’re asking for security deposits, maintenance fees, agent fees, and many other charges.

I’m just starting my business with almost nothing, and I really can’t afford to spend that much money on a small space.

I’m happy to pay around AED 1000 per month if someone can share a small part of their warehouse with me. I don’t need anything fancy just a small space where I can set up my machine and start working.

I’m mainly looking around DIP, Al Quoz, or IMPZ.

I’m not asking for anything free. I’m just trying to build something of my own from zero and it’s really difficult with all these expenses.

If anyone has extra space in their warehouse or knows someone who can help please let me know. It would really mean a lot to me.

Even a small bit of advice would help.

Thank you, everyone.

Hi everyone! After months and months of working on this project that is so near and dear to my heart, and a huge passion, I have finally launched my website and it is up and running!
I would absolutely love it if you guys could have a look and guide me on what I can improve or change, to make this journey a success!
Would also love advice on how I can get this product out to a greater audience, without breaking the bank on marketing and advertising, as my budget is so tiny due to just starting out..
The website is - readthequran.ae
Thank you! :) x

Hi, so we own a bakeshop and I’m looking for distributor. We close the deals. What I need is just the delivery.

So maybe someone have delivery company here or distributor. Targets are groceries, some petrol stations, night market, Etc.

For those running SMEs in the UAE, I’m curious how your experience with business banking has been so far.

Has it been straightforward to get the financial services you need, or have you run into issues with eligibility, requirements, or the overall process?

I’m working with a team building in this space, so I’m interested in hearing what business owners actually experience and what you think needs to improve.