Scale or Fail

Dubai’s luxury market is fiercely competitive, but homegrown brands are finding ways to stand out. Today, we look at what it takes to build a fine jewellery business from the ground up, from launching that first collection to reaching customers in a crowded market. We’re joined by Elise Bitar, founder of JOUBIJOUX, to discuss entrepreneurship, branding and the business of luxury in the UAE.

Luxury fashion is exploring a new business model: private membership. Enter Nurvana, a newly launched, venture-backed platform offering a different way to access and experience luxury.   Founder Erin Thompson, whose career includes major brands such as LVMH and Adidas, joins us to discuss who qualifies for this exclusive world and how membership could reshape luxury shopping.

Rosie Gunn is the founder of Endless, a fashion rental and resale platform launched in the UK in 2019 and expanded to Dubai in 2023. She joins us to talk about female entrepreneurship, lessons from building a fashion business and what she has learned about running Endless in Dubai.

Gold prices can be unpredictable in the current market, prompting more people to take a closer look at jewellery they have inherited, bought years ago or simply kept away in a drawer. A new UAE startup is bringing gold valuations directly to customers’ homes. On Scale or Fail, we speak to Rishi Vaya, Co-founder of SellYourGold.ae, about the changing gold market, how home valuations work, and what...

AI is transforming how businesses create content, from automated campaigns and AI-generated copy to captions, images and customer targeting. But as more brands turn to AI, there is a growing question: how do you use the technology without losing creativity, trust and a genuine connection with customers? We speak to Prameela Nair, Founder of Nairative Consulting, about using AI as a marketing tool...

Forget buying jewelry. A UAE startup wants you to subscribe to it.  Members get access to real gold and lab-grown diamond pieces that they can wear, swap and change without committing to ownership. So, is jewelry subscription the next big thing, or a business model that will fail? Today on Scale or Fail, Tim Elliott speaks to ICONEC founder Vandan Jain about why he thinks the UAE is ready to...

Rising costs, supply chain pressures and economic uncertainty are putting food businesses under growing pressure. At the same time, consumers are looking for healthier products without paying a premium. On Scale or Fail, we speak with Anjali Naik, Co-founder and CEO, and Puneet Arora, Co-founder and CFO of Rype, about building a food business in uncertain times, managing supply chain challenges an...

In this episode of Scale or Fail on Mira Business FM, Tim Elliott speaks with Urban Nest founder Janaika Elders about swapping 15 years of corporate FMCG stability for independent retail in the Gulf. She reveals the challenging reality of competing against legacy brands, navigating freight cost spikes, and turning niche curation into a scalable business.

Dubai offices are rethinking the daily lunch break, and Tazizi is building on the idea that the future of workplace dining could already be sitting in the office fridge. The Dubai-based food tech company provides smart fridges stocked daily with fresh, chef-prepared and macro-tracked meals, allowing employees to grab, pay and eat without waiting for a delivery. As Tazizi expands across Dubai, with...

Paying rent, school fees and other big bills could be getting easier as more UAE consumers turn to monthly payments and direct debit. Joining Tim Elliott is Ummair Butt — the founder of Direct Debit System, the UAE’s first Central Bank-licensed fintech platform for recurring payments.  

AI is no longer just for big corporations. Small businesses are now using intelligent chatbots, virtual employees, and AI-powered apps to win customers, cut costs, and grow faster. But can AI really replace parts of your team, and what does it take to make it work? We explore how one platform is helping SMEs embrace the next wave of business automation. Joining us is Urooj Sheikh, Founder and CEO...

Many businesses are rushing to adopt artificial intelligence across customer service, marketing, and operations, yet corporate adoption remains surprisingly stop-start. Hash Include Founder Anas Abdul Latheef joins Tim Elliott on Scale or Fail to discuss why companies are mismanaging technology, wasting money, and picking the wrong use cases.

Growth alone is not enough. Strong financial management has become essential for startups looking to attract investors and scale successfully. Today on Scale or Fail, we explore the financial pitfalls that can hold businesses back. Joining Tim Elliott is Muhammad Shafeekh, Founder and CEO of Finanshels, a company helping startups and SMEs simplify bookkeeping, accounting, tax compliance, CFO servi...

Saltborn Creative founder Vika Rieva revealed how strategic brand positioning distinguishes successful startups in a crowded marketplace. Following a disrupted aviation career, Rieva built a thriving UAE venture, advising founders to eschew overcomplicated visuals and personal attachments to effectively capture investor attention.

Can plant leather earn its place in the world of luxury? Today on Scale or Fail, we explore one of fashion's biggest shifts. Joining Tim Elliott is Elke Steijns, Founder of VOGAYA, a Dubai designed luxury handbag brand redefining modern luxury through timeless craftsmanship and innovative plant leathers.

In this episode of Scale or Fail, Tim Elliott sits down with Rachel Redfern, Editor-in-Chief of Dubai-founded media platform The Carbon Current. They discuss the immense challenges of monetising climate coverage amidst the collapse of legacy environmental desks, and how independent journalism is bridging corporate data with compelling, human-focused storytelling.

Speaking on Mira Business FM’s Scale or Fail , HUMAN-AI-Z founder Humayun Naseer outlines a radical shift in enterprise operations, suggesting AI agents will soon replace traditional staff roles. Presenter Tim Elliott questions the economic implications as businesses increasingly prioritise automated, cognitive systems over human capital to drive scale.

In this episode of Scale or Fail, Tim Elliott interviews Ulkar Mammadzada, CEO of DiscGo, to discuss why UAE consumers are missing out on thousands in unclaimed loyalty perks. Mammadzada highlights how tech-driven data filters consumer noise, offering a seamless strategy to help residents reclaim lost value and optimize their daily spending.

As UAE startups scale up rapidly, mastering financial visibility is the ultimate key to unlocking sustainable success. Armin Moradi, Founder and CEO of fintech control platform Qashio, joins Tim Elliott to share positive strategies for eliminating unchecked spending and driving efficient growth. They discuss how modern CFOs are transforming into strategic growth partners, how forward-thinking tool...

In a pivotal month for MENA startup funding, UAE-based Maxion has secured nearly $750,000 to challenge global dating giants. Founder Christiana Maxion details how her community-driven platform aims to revolutionise the human economy, combat expat loneliness, and expand into a comprehensive "super app" supporting both singles and couples.

Dubai-based sports venture Finomena Football is set to revolutionise the local market by transforming street-level cage football into a professionalised league. Founder Felix Lauterbach discusses the commercial opportunities within this fast-paced format, aiming to build a sustainable home-grown sports IP that captures the attention of younger audiences.

Renowned investigative journalist Mazhar Farooqui joins Tim Elliott to discuss his transition from the newsroom to the tech sector. As the founder of Check First Intel, Farooqui shares insights from two decades of uncovering truth, now focused on providing real-time verification tools to combat the 500,000 daily cyber attacks targeting the UAE.

Manish Dubey, Showrunner of Falcons of Majlis , reveals why the UAE’s latest investment series is swapping high-stakes theatrics for trust-based deals. In this exclusive, he explains how prioritising founder intent over rehearsed pitches is transforming the regional venture capital landscape and fostering authentic, long-term business partnerships.

Noble Sourdough has launched naturally fermented loaves alongside Dubai’s first honesty-based bread counter. Customers simply grab, tap, and go, meeting the city’s rising demand for cleaner food and smarter retail. Founder Matthew Firth joins Tim Elliott to explain the concept.

In this Scale or Fail episode, Jack Holland, Director of Business Development at Driven Flex, joins Tim Elliott to examine the future of urban mobility. As Dubai’s road networks face unprecedented pressure, the discussion explores whether flexible bus-pooling can successfully re-engineer the morning commute, offering a legal, tech-driven alternative to private car ownership.