Ayman Al Awadhi

There are 4 mistakes I see international companies make when they decide to enter the GCC: The first is arriving too late, after the opportunity has already shifted and competitors have taken the position they wanted. The second is entering with the wrong structure: a business license that does not match their actual operations, and compliance gaps that will surface at the worst possible moment. The third is relying on the wrong people; advisors who know the theory, but have never built anything here themselves. The fourth, and the most expensive, is not knowing what they do not know. I am the Co-Founder of The Corporate Group, and someone who has spent the last 15+ years helping businesses from all over of the world get this right. TCG is based in Dubai with international operations and presence. We have supported more than 1,100 companies in their journey into the UAE and wider GCC. We are sector agnostic by design, working across industries and growth stages — from early-stage startups to established family groups and publicly listed global corporations — ensuring they enter, operate, and scale with the right foundations. TCG has been supported by local and federal governments of the UAE through its official strategic partnership with Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (Dubai DET), UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UAE MOFA), and UAE Ministry of Investment (UAE MOI) for Foreign Direct Investment agenda. Alongside this, I am in charge of AXD Space, a commercial and business facility designed to support ambitious companies building in the region. AXD Space brings together infrastructure, advisory, and community under one roof, creating an environment where founders, operators, and corporates can establish a strong presence in the region. Beyond these, I mentor startups, speak at international investor events, and regularly engage with the global entrepreneurial community on what it really takes to build in this part of the world. My philosophy is grounded in execution: I don’t recommend anything I haven’t tested myself. Every piece of advice I give comes from lived experience, as a founder, operator, and as someone who has watched both the successes and the failures of hundreds of companies who have joined the GCC growth. This region is one of the most powerful business environments on the planet. The founders who win here come prepared. 🙌🏼