Technology leaders at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 said the UAE’s advanced digital infrastructure and progressive regulatory environment are key enablers for startups looking to scale regionally and globally.
During a panel discussion, Hamad Al Khayyal Al Harthi, Vice President of IT Solutions at ENOC, and Aaqib Gadit, Co-Founder of Disrupt.com, emphasized that 80% of AI success depends on business culture and changes in working methods, not just technology.
The speakers noted that many entrepreneurs underestimate how different global markets vary in digital maturity. While the UAE offers an integrated “digital highway,” other markets may lack the infrastructure required to support similar models.
Al Harthi said AI should be viewed as a business transformation initiative rather than a technical project, with leadership and business units driving change while IT plays an enabling role. He also stressed that AI empowers human roles by automating repetitive tasks and enhancing higher-value functions.
Gadit highlighted that startups possess advantages in culture and speed, and pointed to Disrupt.com’s success in building four global companies from the region with revenues exceeding $100 million and two major exits, including one to a US-listed firm.
Both experts praised the UAE’s partnership between government and the private sector in shaping forward-looking policies, which they said has created an environment where startups can access capital, talent, and global markets from day one.
