Business

Written by Utsav Somani, Founder of Offline, a Private Members' Community for Scaled-Up Founders

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global innovation, the UAE stands out as a leading contender. With Abu Dhabi and Dubai emerging as key innovation hubs, the nation’s startup ecosystem is gaining international recognition. According to the Startup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, both cities are ranked among the world’s leading startup destinations. The UAE's status is further solidified by its ranking as the 16th easiest place to do business globally, according to the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business report of 2020, making it a magnet for entrepreneurs worldwide.

The UAE's startup ecosystem is flourishing, currently ranked 43rd globally in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2022. With billions in venture capital and over 4,000 active startups, the tech scene is thriving. However, as the competition intensifies, founders face a critical challenge: How can their ventures stand out in such a crowded market?

The key to differentiation lies not only in securing funding or building a top-notch team but also in surrounding oneself with a community that provides valuable support, guidance, and connections. This is where Offline, a private members' community for scaled-up founders, steps in. Recognizing the UAE's burgeoning startup scene, Offline has chosen the UAE for its first international expansion beyond India.

Since its launch in India in September 2023, Offline has rapidly grown, boasting over 100 members within just eight months, with plans to exceed 150 by the end of the year. The Indian chapter includes prominent founders from companies like Zomato, PepperFry, Awfis, 1MG, TBO, Boult, and Swiggy. Inspired by this success, Offline is now poised to support the UAE’s leading entrepreneurs in elevating their businesses to new heights.

Offline was born out of a personal need I encountered as a founder. Traditional networking avenues often lacked depth, offering superficial connections and limited opportunities for meaningful strategic advice. Founders needed a space where they could forge deep, impactful connections with peers who understood their unique challenges. This realization led to the creation of Offline—a high-caliber, curated community designed to meet the needs of ambitious founders.

As we launch in the UAE, our mission is clear: to provide the region’s most ambitious founders with a powerful network that not only supports their growth but also surrounds them with the right resources and guidance. Offline is not just another networking group; it is a selective community where membership is earned through demonstrated achievement and potential. Our criteria ensure that every member is on a comparable growth trajectory, whether they’ve raised $5 million, achieved $5 million in annual recurring revenue, exited a company for $10 million, or reached a valuation of $50 million.

This focus on alignment in experience and growth ensures that connections within Offline are highly relevant, with members sharing similar challenges and opportunities. While insights from those outside this criterion can also be valuable, the exclusivity of our community guarantees that interactions are particularly impactful, allowing members to leverage the collective expertise of the group and gain meaningful perspectives.

Our expansion into the UAE is more than just a new office—it’s a commitment to shaping the future of entrepreneurship in this dynamic region. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are at the forefront of global innovation, and we are here to ensure that the founders driving this change have the support they need to succeed. Our UAE chapter already includes co-founders from Ultrahuman, CoinDCX, Verloop, Fuze, and Hunch, and we are backed by notable investors, including the co-founders of Groww, Razorpay, Polygon, Park+, and Xiaomi.

Members of Offline benefit from exclusive closed-door meetings, focused coaching, and masterclasses with industry experts. Additionally, unique social experiences are designed to foster deep and meaningful connections.

The future of entrepreneurship in the UAE is bright, and with Offline now at the heart of this dynamic ecosystem, we are excited to be part of this journey. We are now accepting applications for members to join our UAE chapter. We invite the region’s top founders to connect with us as we build a stronger, more connected, and more successful entrepreneurial community. To learn more and apply, please visit our website at www.offline.club.

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