Faces of Dubai: Entrepreneur Spotlight

Dubai’s reputation as the region’s innovation hub isn’t just about iconic skylines and world-class malls—it’s built on the stories of dynamic entrepreneurs turning bold ideas into global brands. Step into the world of five trailblazers redefining business in the City of Gold, each in their own unique way.

Mohamed Alabbar: The Visionary Behind Dubai’s Icons

It’s impossible to talk about Dubai’s modern landscape without mentioning Mohamed Alabbar. As the founder and chairman of Emaar Properties, he’s the mind behind landmarks like the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall—destinations that draw millions every year. Alabbar also launched Noon.com, giving the region its own e-commerce powerhouse and challenging global giants through innovation and scale.

Tony Jashanmal : The Retail Juggernaut

Dubai’s entrepreneurial fabric is rich with stories of legacy brands transformed by visionary leaders, and Tony Jashanmal stands as a shining example. Taking over the reins of the century-old Jashanmal Group, founded in 1919, Tony has propelled the business from its traditional retail roots into an expansive, diversified empire that now serves customers across the Middle East and beyond. His journey from student to successful entrepreneur reflects his deep commitment to blending heritage with innovation. Under Tony’s leadership, the Jashanmal Group has expanded its offerings to include modern retail formats, luxury brands, and innovative customer experiences, making it a key player in the regional market landscape.

Tony’s story is one of honoring the past while confidently embracing the future, proving that a strong foundation paired with forward-thinking can create timeless business success.

Sunny Varkey: The Classroom Revolutionary

Sunny Varkey believes that world-class education should be accessible to all. Leading GEMS Education, he’s created one of the world’s largest private school networks, changing lives with innovative learning models and professional teacher development. Varkey’s approach is holistic—advocating for digital learning and global collaboration at every turn.

Noor Sweid: Investing in Tomorrow

Dubai’s future is being seeded by bold investors like Noor Sweid. At Global Ventures, she champions impactful startups across the MENA region and is a vocal advocate for women founders in tech. Her career as a venture capitalist makes her a trusted mentor and role model for a new generation of founders blazing global trails from Dubai.

Hussain Sajwani: Luxury’s Game Changer

Few have shaped Dubai’s luxury real estate market like Hussain Sajwani. Through DAMAC Properties, he’s brought innovation and luxury to life with ambitious towers and smart city concepts. Sajwani’s vision doesn’t stop at business success—his efforts, such as the ‘One Million Arab Coders’ initiative, are also preparing Dubai’s youth for a digital future.

From architectural icons to tech investors, these Dubai entrepreneurs prove that ambition and community can spark incredible change—telling a story of a city where tomorrow is imagined, built, and launched every day