Besides Dubai, Abu Dhabi and skyscrapers, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the most notable Arab geographies for its entrepreneurship boom, especially the increasing number of women entrepreneurs and women-backed startups.
Being a media platform weaved around startups and entrepreneurship, it engrosses our attention and at the same time makes us proud while bringing it forward to our readers and the masses.
With that said, allow us to introduce some of the most inspiring women entrepreneurs from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on this propitious Women’s Day 2022.
List of inspiring women entrepreneurs from the UAE
ⓘ Disclaimer:
▸ The list is NOT sponsored by any third-party or the listed women entrepreneurs.
▸ The following list is in alphabetical order and NOT the net worth or number of the social following or any other similar metrics.
Anuscha Iqbal
Co-founder & CEO, Spotii
Anuscha Iqbal is the chief executive of Spotii, a buy-now-pay-later platform that allows shoppers to shop and pay later with absolutely zero interest or cost. Founded in early 2020, the company’s mission is to empower a generation to enjoy more today what they will love forever through technology, trust and inclusion. In May 2021, Sydney, Australia-based ZipPay acquired Spotii for $16 million.
Iqbal is originally from Pakistan, who moved to the US to study and then worked as an investment banking analyst in New York. Anuscha moved to the UAE in 2007 to work as an analyst with a private equity firm.
Briar Prestidge
CEO & Founder, Prestidge Group, and BRIAR PRESTIDGE – The Label
Briar Prestidge is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Prestidge Group, a leading personal branding, PR and speaker relations agency managing HNWI, C-level executives, technology experts, celebrities, government officials and investors, with offices in Dubai, New York, Saudi Arabia and London.
Briar was named Top 100 Most Influential in the United Arab Emirates, and she has been featured across Entrepreneur, Forbes, OSN, Emirates Women, Marie Claire, Grazia and The National in recognition of her work.
Briar also has a corporate power suit collection BRIAR PRESTIDGE – The Label, a premium suit label made from fine wool and cashmere. In 2022, they created their virtual spin-off collection for Avatars and dropped NFT suits on the leading “metaverse” platform, Decentraland.
Humaira Khan
Founder, Walzay
A tech-focused women entrepreneur, Humaira started Walzay in early 2020 as a talent marketplace focused on the GCC, with a vision of the global shift towards flexible work options. The US-based startup offers a full marketplace model for businesses – helping them source the best tech talent from all over the world. The company entered the MENA region by launching a branch in the UAE in 2020.
The company’s mission is to unlock opportunities for talent from big cities, down to rural villages all based on skill, and for companies of all sizes, and thus increasing innovation globally.
Mariam Farag
CEO & founder, Humanizing Brands, and professional moderator
A businesswoman, media specialist, humanitarian and international keynote speaker. Mariam is enthusiastic about media for impact and harnesses this to give a voice to the voiceless. She is often invited to speak at regional and international media and forums, such as TEDx, where she delivers motivational keynotes on tech for good, women empowerment, community impact and youth development. Mariam values humanity, positivity, and sparks conversations to build genuine relationships and a sustainable, empowered future generation with consistent attention, time, and love. She is truly an engaging and inspiring woman.
Myriam Keramane
CEO & founder, Myriam.K Paris
Known as the “Huda Beauty of Paris” and the founder of Myriam K. Paris, a beauty empire with over 250 products that has recently expanded from Paris to bring her brand to her roots in the Middle East. She has been on TV shows, amassed a large following, and is driven to encourage women that they “can have it ALL” – a thriving global business, build a family, and good health. She is passionate about breaking the stereotypes surrounding beauty entrepreneurs and eager to speak on business diversification, brand development, and global expansion.
Mariam Azmy
Chief Human Resources Officer, ASGC
Businesswoman, award-winning human resources expert, and role model for women in the construction domain. Mariam is a passionate voice for women’s empowerment and leadership, diversity, and inclusion. She urges women to showcase their work and rise in their careers. She also advocates for closing the gap in human capital and making stronger investments in people to accelerate workplace equality and economic growth. Mariam carries this passion from her home life, where she is raising two women leaders of her own. Her family commitment inspires much of her policy. She is known for her ethical and authentic approach to human resources, often implementing employee-centric policies and procedures well in advance of government mandates.
Natasha Al Fadhli
Founder & CEO, Coffee Communications
Saudi born Natasha Ekstedt was raised in Dubai and spent her early years dreaming big and training to become a professional equestrian. During her journey, Natasha discovered her passion for communications as she became a pro at the ins and outs of the Middle East region.
Natasha’s mission since the inception of her company Coffee Communications was to build an extension of an in-house team. Among her many talents, Natasha maintains a firm foundation and continuous momentum when it comes to making her brands shine.
For Natasha, communication is always evolving and taken personally with attention to detail and creativity at heart.
Ola Doudin
Co-founder & CEO, BitOasis
Ola Doudin is the co-founder and CEO of the Dubai-based cryptocurrency exchange BitOasis, which offers digital assets to buy, sell and trade against the UAE Dirham (AED). The platform is available to users in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco. The exchange won a preliminary license to operate in the UAE from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Authorities. The company scored a whopping $30 million Series-B funding round back in October.
Tanaz Dizadji
CEO & Founder, Brand Ripplr, BuzzBee, Insydo
Tanaz Dizadji is the Founder & CEO of Brand Ripplr, the Middle East’s leading influencer marketing platform that connects brands with over 60,000 content creators in the MENA region, with a consumer reach of over 50 million across major social media channels.
Based in Dubai, Tanaz has been recognised as one of the ‘UAE’s 50 Most Influential Brits’ and ‘Business Leader of the Year’ by the region’s most prominent voices. Appearing on the cover of Forbes Middle-East in 2018, her enterprises have received numerous accolades including ‘Start-Up of the Year’ and Web Summit’s ‘Favorited Startup’ in 2017. Among other accolades, Tanaz has also been recognised as one of the UAE’s 50 Most Influential Brits by Arabian Business in 2014 and 2015.
Tara Rose Kidd
Founder, Tara Rose Salons
Entrepreneur, women’s empowerment advocate and founder of Tara Rose Salons, a seven-shop franchise based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where her unique system and approach supports not only clients but also the self-development of her 60+ employees. Tara has created an ecosystem that helps clients and staff alike to feel empowered and equipped to succeed. Her newest venture – an educational platform for salon employees–aims to combine industry knowledge with mental well-being and self-empowerment. Tara is most passionate about topics related to self-development, manifesting your dreams, finding your unique path to success, and creating an empowering journey in the salon industry.
Over to you
International Women’s Day is one of the most special days that excites us to bring forth listicles around women entrepreneurs with notability around creating impact. Let us know your thoughts and favourite women entrepreneurs in the comments below.
