Kevin O’Leary says he’d start a business in Dubai, highlights policy and connectivity
Kevin O’Leary, the investor known from the television franchise Shark Tank, told a Dubai audience that he would choose the emirate as a base if given the option to start a business. His comments came during a 103-minute conversation with Pratham Mittal, founder of Dubai-based Tetr College of Business. The discussion covered entrepreneurship, leadership, artificial intelligence and wealth creation, and positioned Dubai as an increasingly attractive node for globally minded founders.
What O’Leary emphasised and why it matters
O’Leary framed his endorsement around practical considerations: strategic location and international connectivity that allow firms to access markets across Asia and Europe from a single base. In the context of a fragmented global economy, such logistical advantages are relevant for companies that require rapid market entry and cross-border distribution. For investors weighing where to allocate capital or where founders should incorporate operations, proximity to trading corridors and regulatory clarity can be decisive.
Beyond geography, O’Leary returned repeatedly to execution and fundamentals. He warned against overreliance on technology alone, using the phrase cited in the conversation to describe low-quality outputs from generative tools. That critique aligns with a wider investor sentiment that while AI is transformative, it cannot replace product-market fit, operational rigor and repeatable unit economics. For founders, the takeaway is familiar: technology can amplify a business, but it rarely substitutes for a validated value proposition and strong customer demand.
Policy responsiveness as a selling point
The episode also touched on Dubai’s policy environment. Mittal recounted a recent engagement between entrepreneurs and Dubai’s Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in which business leaders were asked what policy changes would help them double their operations in the emirate. Mittal said several recommendations were implemented within days. O’Leary called this example “enlightened leadership,” framing it as a model for how government can remove friction and accelerate business growth.
Rapid policy action is a competitive advantage for cities trying to attract international talent and investment. For institutional investors and venture funds, clarity and speed in regulatory responses reduce operational uncertainty and can shorten time horizons for scaling. That said, investors will still assess regulatory stability over a longer horizon, particularly for sectors affected by cross-border rules such as fintech, logistics and data-intensive AI services.
Career pathways, wealth benchmarks and the limits of validation
During the conversation O’Leary voiced skepticism about certain traditional career ladders as ideal preparation for founding startups, and offered a distinct view of financial independence. He cited a rough benchmark — a portfolio of around $5 million in Treasury bills — as his own measure for financial freedom. While that figure is personal and not prescriptive, it reflects a conservative approach to liquidity and risk management that some later-stage founders and family offices adopt.
O’Leary also cautioned against the pursuit of external validation. Drawing on examples of high-profile founders, he argued that longevity and impact are more often determined by the ability to execute and focus on essential priorities. This theme echoes investor preferences for leadership teams that demonstrate measurable traction, sustainable margins and a disciplined allocation of capital.
Implications for founders and investors in the UAE
The conversation is notable for its timing and context. Dubai has pushed to position itself as a global business hub by loosening residency rules, offering incentives and courting talent across sectors including finance, logistics and technology. Endorsements from internationally known investors tend to amplify that message and may influence founder and investor decisions, but they do not replace fundamental due diligence.
For entrepreneurs considering Dubai, the highlights from the podcast reinforce a two-track approach: take advantage of the city’s connectivity and policy agility, while building businesses grounded in customer demand and robust unit economics. For investors, the episode is a reminder to evaluate deals on the rigor of execution plans and the sustainability of growth, not just geographic novelty or fashionable tech bets.
Where to watch and where this fits in education
The full conversation is available on Tetr College’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/xgKajEQf21c?si=gIFDDYqcIuXEXksB. The interview also underscores Tetr College’s positioning as an institution blending academic learning with practical exposure across international markets, a model that appeals to students seeking operational experience in a global context.
Bottom line, O’Leary’s remarks highlight Dubai’s strengths as a strategic base for companies that need global reach and a responsive policy environment. At the same time, his emphasis on execution and skepticism toward technology as a panacea reinforce familiar investor criteria: durable business models, clear customer demand and disciplined financial planning remain central to building lasting enterprises.
