SaaS
Layla Hassan
CloudNest
Dubai, UAE
Enterprise cloud solutions designed for the MENA market.
What drove you to become a founder?
The UAE's entrepreneurial energy is unmatched. I saw an opportunity to solve a real problem and knew this was the place to build it. The government support, the infrastructure, and the access to global talent made it an obvious choice.
What challenges have you faced?
Every startup has its battles. For us, it was building trust in a market that was still warming up to local tech solutions. We had to prove ourselves through results, not promises.
What advice would you give to aspiring founders?
Start before you're ready. The UAE rewards boldness. Find your niche, build for the market, and don't try to copy what works in Silicon Valley — innovate for this region.
