The Dubai Advantage Forum UK (Full Recording)
Why UK founders are choosing Dubai and how doYou is powering their next chapter
📍 About this Event
The UK has long been a leading hub for entrepreneurship, with deep capital markets, a strong legal framework, and access to global talent.
But for many founders, the costs are becoming harder to justify. Recent changes to the tax regime, including the abolition of non-dom status and increases in both capital gains and corporate tax, have sparked a quiet but growing exodus. Unsurprisingly, over 10,800 HNWIs left the UK in 2024 alone.
The pressure isn't just financial. Founders are also frustrated by slow processes, regulatory grey areas, and the growing mismatch between how they operate and how the system responds. They're not only looking for tax relief. They're looking for clarity, speed, and a jurisdiction that understands what it means to build a business in 2025: global teams, online infrastructure, and remote-friendly compliance.
The UAE is stepping up to fill this gap. With its digital-first government services, low-friction banking, and 9% corporate tax, it's no surprise that thousands of founders are choosing to build from Dubai.
We created the Dubai Advantage Forum UK to bring these conversations into the open.
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💬 Featured Talks
Zahan Backer
(Co-founder of doYou): "Why Founders Are Choosing the UAE"
Zahan broke down the macro trends behind the UK–UAE shift:
- The rise of internet-first, borderless companies
- What makes the UK's economic environment unfriendly for modern-day founders
- What makes the UAE's policy, tax, and digital infrastructure founder-friendly
If you're choosing between the UAE and other jurisdictions, watch Zahan's talk to understand the strategic opportunities the UAE offers.
Azhan Backer
(Co-founder of doYou): "How doYou helps founders set up in the UAE"
Azhan shared the real story of Jay, a UK-based founder who:
- Booked a free strategy call with doYou
- Set up a Freezone company
- Relocated to Dubai all in under 3 weeks
If you've decided on the UAE as your next launchpad but don't know how to get started, watch Azhan's talk to learn the practical steps, pitfalls to avoid, and how doYou helps founders navigate the maze of incorporation.
Christoph Koster
(CEO, Ruya): "How UAE Banking Is Changing for Global Operators"
As CEO of Ruya, the first digital Islamic bank in the UAE, Christoph gave us a candid look at:
- How UAE banks are adapting to serve remote-first businesses
- Why regulatory clarity is improving and what that means for founders
- What still gets in the way of smooth account openings (and how to avoid it)
If you've heard that opening a UAE business bank account is hard, Christoph's talk breaks down what's changed and how to get it right the first time.
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