Billionaire investor and Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary said he would choose Dubai to start a business, during a long-form conversation with Dubai-based entrepreneur and Tetr College of Business founder Pratham Mittal.
The discussion focused on entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, startup growth, leadership and the future of global business.
Podcast launch
The 103-minute conversation was part of the launch of The Tetr Podcast, which features discussions with global business leaders and investors.
According to the organisers, it also marked a milestone for Dubai’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, with Mittal becoming the first Dubai-based founder to host an in-depth conversation with O’Leary.
Dubai business hub
During the discussion, O’Leary spoke about Dubai’s position as a global business hub. He said, “if I was given the option, I’d start a business in Dubai,” referring to the city’s location, international connectivity and access to markets across Asia and Europe from a single base.
Leadership in Dubai
The conversation also referenced a recent meeting between Mittal and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
Mittal said entrepreneurs were asked what policy changes could help them grow faster in Dubai, and several suggestions were implemented within days. O’Leary described this as “enlightened leadership” and pointed to it as an example of how governments can support business growth.
Startup fundamentals
O’Leary also discussed challenges in entrepreneurship, saying that while nearly 80 percent of startups fail, long-term success depends on execution, customer demand and strong business fundamentals. He questioned the role of traditional consulting careers in preparing founders and warned against what he called “AI slop”, saying technology cannot replace core business skills.
He added that founders are judged by execution rather than popularity, citing entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk.
The conversation also covered wealth creation and the future of work. O’Leary said financial independence could be linked to a portfolio of around $5 million invested in Treasury bills. He also referenced Steve Jobs’ idea of separating “signal” from “noise”, saying focus is a key trait of successful entrepreneurs.
The discussion highlighted how entrepreneurship is evolving with technology and shifting global markets. The full conversation is available on Tetr College’s official YouTube channel.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
