Author: Emirates Insight
In the season finale of Build Mode, Isabelle Johannessen sits down with Paul Irving, partner and COO of GTMfund, to discuss go-to-market strategies for the AI era. Paul shares specific, actionable advice on how early-stage startups can win even when facing well-funded competitors who iterate at lightning speed. He also explains why distribution has become the final remaining moat when technical advantages disappear in months instead of years, and why every company needs a unique go-to-market motion tailored to their specific ICP. They also dive into the power of warm-introduction mapping and building authentic relationships with operators who can open doors. Irving highlights one of the best parts of the…
The RTA has officially wrapped up expansion works on Al Warqa’a 1 Street, and residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief because traffic flow is about to get 30% better now on. Want instant updates? Follow Lovin on WhatsApp, and never miss a beat! Smoother drives and way less time stuck in traffic? Yes please The upgraded stretch covers 7 kilometres in both directions, running from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road all the way to Ras Al Khor Road. One of the biggest changes? Four roundabouts have been replaced with smart, signalised intersections, which alone is expected to bring a…
Abu Dhabi is set for a busy start to 2026 as ADNEC Group prepares to host and organise 192 events across its UAE-based venues during the first half of the year, underlining its role in supporting business tourism and economic diversification. Following its most successful year to date in 2025, ADNEC Group said the packed H1 2026 calendar spans exhibitions, conferences, meetings, cultural programmes and major public events, supporting strategic sectors including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, technology, sustainability and energy, defence and security, as well as leisure and entertainment. The programme includes 125 events at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and 67…
While the rest of the world has firmly packed away the baubles, Dubai seems perfectly happy keeping Christmas music on loop. Malls, cafés, and public spaces across the city are still serving full festive energy with their holiday playlists, décor hangovers, and very merry vibes well into January Dubai-based content creator Poppy Owen summed up what many were quietly thinking with a hilariously relatable video, politely (but firmly) asking malls to please turn the Christmas music off because… she’s done with Christmas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Dubai | لوڤن دبي (@lovindubai) On the other…
Crypto enters 2026 on a positive footing, but retail sentiment remains fragile and driven by immediate news catalysts. Crypto market sentiment has improved at the start of 2026 as prices across major digital assets rebound from last year’s extended correction. New data shows retail traders growing more optimistic as ETF headlines and macro narratives increasingly influence crypto price movements. According to the latest social and sentiment data compiled by Santiment, there has been a renewed optimism among retail traders, even as recent price action has begun to flatten and Bitcoin (BTC) tests key psychological levels. Recovery has not been…
OpenAI is kicking off the new year with yet another acqui-hire. The AI giant is acquiring the team behind Convogo, a business software platform that helps executive coaches, consultants, talent leaders, and HR teams automate and improve leadership assessments and feedback reporting. An OpenAI spokesperson said the company is not acquiring Convogo’s IP or technology, but rather hiring the team to work on its “AI cloud efforts.” The three co-founders — Matt Cooper, Evan Cater, and Mike Gillett — will join OpenAI as part of what a source familiar with the matter called an all-stock deal. Convogo’s product will be…
The emirate’s tourism performance reflects a diversified offering that spans culture, heritage, nature, entertainment and major international events. Spanning a vast geographical area, Abu Dhabi is home to historical landmarks, museums, forts and archaeological sites, alongside natural attractions including deserts, islands, beaches, mountains, gardens and ghaf forests, positioning it as a preferred destination for travel and culture enthusiasts. Abu Dhabi tourism The emirate hosts some of the world’s most prominent museums and art institutions, in addition to major sports and entertainment destinations. Its annual calendar includes the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, the Abu…
Talk about the craziest resume ever. It started with pan lids on a kitchen counter. No stage, no decks, no plan. Just an infectiously gooood energy and a woman who genuinely wanted to make people feel a little less alone. Fast forward a few years and that same woman, now known globally as Crazy Auntie, has over 4.3M followers, 78M+ likes on TikTok, celebrity fans like Ed Sheeran, Paris Hilton, Courtney Cox and Slash Oh, and DJ gigs lined up across Dubai to Miami. Phew! It becomes even cooler when you know that she didn’t even touch a real DJ…
Cycling enthusiasts and families in the United Arab Emirates have just over two weeks to secure their places in this year’s L’Étape Dubai by Tour de France presented by Škoda (24–25 January), where they will have the unique opportunity to ride alongside legendary cyclist Peter Sagan. With more than 700 riders already registeredfor this Dubai Sports Council-backed event, the confirmation of Sagan’s participation further embodies the spirit of the world’s most iconic cycling race as it returns to the UAE for its second edition. Part of the official L’Étape series events (25 countries, more than 30 races),the event brings the…
ZEC has dumped hard over the past 24 hours again. The expectations for a highly volatile Friday due to the numerous significant developments in the US didn’t really materialize, and BTC has calmed at $90,500. Most larger-cap alts have remained sluggish over the past 24 hours, with ETH struggling below $3,100, and XRP close to breaking beneath $2.10. BTC Calms The primary cryptocurrency began the business week on the right foot, surging to almost $95,000 on Tuesday morning. This impressive price jump came after the volatile weekend, in which bitcoin defended the $90,000 support even after the US carried…