About us
We are the world’s largest community of entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators. 🌍 With a footprint in 600+ cities across 150 countries, we’ve built a movement that impacts over 5 million members. At our core, we believe in giving first, building real connections, and helping others thrive. ❤️🔥
Startup Grind, powered by Google for Startups, was born to educate, inspire, and connect the global tech and innovation ecosystem. Through events and projects led by successful founders, investors, corporates, accelerators, and VCs, we always ask one simple question: “How can we help?”
In Dubai, we’ve grown a vibrant community of 5,000+ members. From exclusive events and premium memberships to $1M+ in partner benefits, free programs, networking, funding resources, and access to global gatherings like the Silicon Valley Conference—we’re here to fuel the journey of every founder and innovator. 🚀
Upcoming events
2
Startup Expansion to the UAE: How to Navigate Relationships, Capital, and Growth
·OnlineOnlineFor many founders in the US and EU, the United Arab Emirates represents the ultimate frontier for growth offering access to regional capital, a strategic global hub, and a rapidly evolving tech ecosystem. It can look straightforward on paper but the truth is that the playbooks that worked in San Francisco, London, or Berlin often fail in Dubai.
We are proud to welcome Sameer Sortur (Managing Director GCC & India, Founder Institute) and Ada Mazurek (Founder, Pitch Deck Studios) for an essential deep dive into what it actually takes to win in the UAE. With experience supporting thousands of companies and deep roots in the regional innovation hubs, Sameer and Ada will break down the "operating system" of the GCC and how to position your business for long-term success.
📅 Date: 17 February 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM (Local Time)
📍 Location: Online (Virtual Event)
🎟️ Cost: FreeRegistration: https://www.startupgrind.com/j/5bmhucywr636k/
### Meet the Speakers
Sameer Sortur Sameer is the Founding Partner at SquareCircle Ventures, a venture development firm in helping companies soft land and grow in the UAE and GCC markets. He also leads community and accelerator programs at Startup Grind Dubai and Founder Institute GCC & India. With 25+ years of experience, he has helped companies expand through partnerships, market entry, and innovation-led change.
Ada Mazurek Ada is the Founder of Pitch Deck Studios and a specialist in startup storytelling and market entry. She has supported over 6,500 companies globally, advising leadership teams on how to position their businesses for the GCC market, from investor storytelling to localized go-to-market communication.
### What You’ll Learn
- The Reality Check: Why US/EU playbooks fail
- GTM Strategy: How to localize your offer, adjust pricing for local cost structures, and build a "trust pipeline" through pilots.
- Fundraising & Capital: Navigating the nuances of "Smart Capital" vs. control-driven investors and debunking the myth of "easy money."
- The Ecosystem: How to leverage the D33 vision, incubators and accelerators, government entities, and Free Zones as strategic business hubs.
### Who Should Attend?
Founders & CEOs exploring the UAE as a regional base for expansion.
Teams planning fundraising or strategic partnerships in the UAE
Investors looking to understand the bridge between international startups and regional capital.
Ecosystem Builders interested in the latest trends in the Dubai and wider GCC tech landscape.Don’t miss this opportunity to get the ground truth on UAE expansion. Secure your spot today!
2 attendees
The AI Operating System for Founders by The AI Accelerator
Dubai, AEInside this free workshop, you’ll learn how to:
🔧 Set up AI teammates the right way - with GPTs that work with your business, not against it
🧱 Build your first custom GPT - step-by-step, no tech skills needed
🎯 Feed it the right inputs - so it sounds like you, follows your workflows, and drives real results
📈 Deploy AI like a team, not random hacks - with role-based systems, not one-off prompts
🚀 Use GPTs across your business - for content, sales, customer support, data analysis, and more
💸 Save 30+ hours a week and thousands in payroll - by automating high-drain tasks
🔍 Spot your biggest time sucks - and learn exactly which roles to “hire” with AI first
🎥 Watch a live GPT demo - see a real example running in a business context
🧭 Leave with a blueprint - so you know what to build first to unlock growth, traction, and freedom
ABOUT THE FACILITATOR
Nidhima Kohli is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and AI strategist who has been building and scaling businesses globally for over 20 years. She founded one of the first AI-driven beauty platforms, serving over 32M users, and later launched an AI SaaS company that sold into multinational corporations. As a former VC, she raised and managed a $250M AI & Sustainable Fashion fund, investing in and mentoring 100+ startups through top accelerators like Techstars, AstroLabs, and Playbook. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Financial Times, Fast Company, Inc, The Guardian, Harpers Bazaar and Vogue, and she was named one of the Top 40 People in AI in the GCC by Inc Magazine.Nidhima brings a rare mix of real-world founder grit and high-level strategic expertise. She has lived the chaos of doing everything solo, burned out twice, and learned firsthand the power of systems and AI to scale sustainably. Today, through her global accelerator, The AI Accelerator, she helps early-stage founders and solopreneurs cut through noise, harness AI, and build lean, profitable businesses without overwhelm. Her mission is simple: to show founders how to replace busywork with AI-powered growth systems and reclaim their freedom while scaling smarter.
NOTES:
1. Due to the observance of The Holy Month of Ramadan in February, the workshop is scheduled post Iftar.
2. The Dubai workshop venue details will be shared only with registered participants, 2–3 days prior to the workshop.2 attendees
