The Future of UAE's Tech Ecosystem: Scaling Startups in the Gulf with Aditya Sharma

Aditya Sharma, CRO of Shepherd.Watch, discusses scaling tech firms in the UAE, talent acquisition, and the impact of AI and blockchain

In the UAE's fiercely competitive tech landscape, a company's survival and growth are dictated not just by its product but by its ability to navigate complex scaling challenges, from the war for top talent to evolving regulatory frameworks.

To explore this theme, we spoke with Aditya Sharma, the CRO at Shepherd.Watch. Aditya is at the helm of revenue generation for a company that is squarely addressing some of the critical pain points in the modern tech ecosystem. Shepherd.Watch provides intuitive and robust endpoint management solutions, empowering IT teams to secure devices and data in an increasingly complex digital environment.

His role places him at the intersection of technology, market expansion, and customer acquisition. He is directly responsible for steering growth amidst the very challenges that the UAE's faces: the state of the tech ecosystem, scaling hurdles, and the impact of new government policies

Interview with Aditya Sharma

Which area of the UAE's tech ecosystem has the most momentum right now?

The UAE’s technology landscape has evolved into one of the most advanced in the region. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are no longer just nurturing early-stage ventures—they now attract scaleups, global innovation centres, and major long-term investors. The strongest momentum is in artificial intelligence, data platforms, fintech, digital payments, smart-city solutions, cloud services, and IoT-driven logistics. Supportive government programmes, corporate partnerships, and increasing venture funding have positioned the UAE as a launchpad for expansion into the wider Middle East and Africa.

What is the single biggest scaling challenge tech firms face in the UAE?

Despite strong growth, companies face several hurdles when expanding across the UAE and the Gulf. Competition for highly skilled talent—especially in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud—remains intense. Operating costs in major business hubs can be high, and regulations often vary between free zones and mainland authorities, creating complexity for scaling. While fundraising has improved, late-stage capital and clear exit options are still developing compared to mature global markets.

How are government initiatives like Vision 2031 directly helping your growth at Shepherd.Watch?

Government strategies such as UAE Vision 2031 and national digital programmes are reshaping the ecosystem by encouraging diversification, innovation, and technology-driven economic growth. These initiatives focus on simplifying business setup, accelerating digital public services, promoting AI adoption, and creating open environments for experimentation. As a result, technology companies now benefit from faster regulatory processes, sandbox environments for pilots, and clearer national goals aligned with digital transformation.

Which emerging technology (AI, IoT, or Blockchain) is having the most immediate impact on your clients?

New technologies are being adopted with practical, outcome-driven use cases. AI is enhancing predictive maintenance, risk modelling, and customer experiences. IoT is improving transparency and operational efficiency in supply chains, ports, and logistics networks. Meanwhile, blockchain is being tested in areas such as cross-border trade, digital identity, and secure data exchange. Large-scale public and private projects are helping move these technologies from experimentation to mainstream deployment.

Beyond salary, what's key to attracting and retaining top tech talent today?

The availability of skilled talent remains a defining factor for sustaining growth. The UAE attracts top global professionals through favourable visa policies and competitive salaries. However, retaining experts—especially senior engineers and product specialists—requires continuous learning opportunities, engaging work environments, and clear progression paths. Organisations that neglect talent development or flexible working models risk falling behind in innovation.

What is the most significant opportunity for the UAE's tech scene in the next five years?

The coming years are set to be shaped by expansion in AI infrastructure, wider adoption of open banking and digital finance, industrial automation in logistics and energy, and increased investment in local data centres. With stronger digital governance, the UAE is on track to become a regional hub for trusted AI and data-driven services. Companies that combine deep domain expertise with advanced technology will be best positioned to lead the next wave of growth.