The Final Pitch Dubai unveils powerhouse investor-judges

Khaleej Times

2 days ago

Dubai has been a magnet for start-ups as the emirate attracts talent from all over the world. The Final Pitch, Asia's longest-running business reality TV show, is making its Middle East debut in Dubai. The series introduces a proven format that empowers ambitious founders through targeted mentorship by domain experts, an all-access personal tour of the investor-judges' businesses, and funding and collaboration opportunities.
Four of Dubai's industry leaders have been named as investor-judges on the upcoming business reality TV show. Bringing decades of entrepreneurial and investment expertise to the table, the panel of investor-judges represents some of the region's most accomplished trailblazers across sectors, including digital transformation, real estate, fintech, clean tech, sustainability, and early to growth stage venture capital.
The lineup features Cypher Capital Founding Partner and Phoenix Group PLC Co-Founder Bijan Alizadeh; 'The Wolf of Real Estate' CEO and Managing Partner of Harbor Real Estate Dr. Mohanad Alwadiya; 'Entrepreneur turned investor turned entrepreneur' Founding Partner of Incubayt Investments Ltd. Sami Khoreibi; visionary investor, strategic government advisor, and Founder of Triliv Holdings Jigar Sagar.
Applications are now open for UAE based and non-UAE based international entrepreneurs looking to pitch their business to the panel of investor-judges. Selected startup founders will gain a unique opportunity to showcase their ventures, receive hands-on mentorship and potentially secure investment. Deadline for submissions is on June 8, 2025.
Khaleej Times spoke to the jury members and what they wish to see in the pitch.
Dr. Mohanad Alwadiya — 'The Wolf of Real Estate' CEO and Managing Partner of Harbor Real Estate
What key qualities do you look for in founders beyond the business plan or pitch?
As an investor, I look beyond the deck. I'm drawn to founders who demonstrate clarity of vision, a deep understanding of their market, and the humility to listen while having the courage to lead. Resilience is critical—especially in a region like ours. It's not just about having a good idea; it's about the ability to navigate uncertainty, adapt quickly, and keep executing. I'm also interested in how well a founder understands their own gaps and how they plan to fill them. Leadership is not about having all the answers—it's about building the right team and staying accountable.
2. Do you feel early-stage founders in the UAE are prepared for the kind of investor expectations around business discipline and scalability that come with serious funding?
Many founders in the UAE are passionate, ambitious, and highly creative. But serious funding brings serious expectations—discipline, financial governance, and the ability to scale operations systematically. Often, this is where early-stage ventures struggle. They underestimate how rigorous the transition from startup to structured business really is. To attract real capital, you need more than innovation—you need process, planning, and a clear path to profitability. That's where mentorship, education, and exposure become critical.
3. What role do you see The Final Pitch playing in supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs in this region?
The Final Pitch provides a vital platform for visibility—and visibility drives opportunity. In a market like the UAE, credibility and presence are everything. The show helps founders refine their story, articulate their vision clearly, and stand in front of serious investors with conviction. It's not just about funding—it's about building public trust, attracting talent, and creating momentum. For many startups, this kind of exposure can be a turning point. The format also encourages discipline—because when you pitch publicly, you're forced to think strategically, not just emotionally.
4. Any additional insights?
In this region, we're not just building startups—we're shaping the future of a diversified economy. The entrepreneurs who will thrive are the ones who treat this as a long-term game. They will combine innovation with execution, visibility with integrity, and speed with structure. Platforms like The Final Pitch are helping shape a generation of founders who understand that funding is not the end goal—it's just the beginning of the real work.
Bijan Alizadeh — Cypher Capital Founding Partner and Phoenix Group PLC Co-Founder
1. Where's the real traction in Web3 & Blockchain?
Sophisticated investors are no longer simply purchasing digital assets and tokens in anticipation of speculative returns. Instead, they are strategically allocating capital toward the foundational infrastructure of the Web3 ecosystem.
For a long time, traditional finance thought Web3 was either too volatile, too unregulated, or just a scam. But now, things have shifted - Asset managers are launching tokenized funds, Family offices are investing in blockchain infrastructure, Fintech-giants are integrating stablecoin rails for cross-border payments. I've always believed the future is web3 and now the biggest institutional players are seeing this too.
2. One Piece of Advice for Deep-Tech Founders
Deep-tech founders can't just focus on the technology because ultimately we are not betting on code—we're betting on the founders vision, ability to execute and deliver.
3. The real value
The Final Pitch levels the playing field, and gives all budding entrepreneurs a chance to get in front of proper VCs with real capital that can give you great advice, mentor you and give you real capital to take your business to the next level. It also gives entrepreneurs and their ideas visibility on a global stage and be a part of this amazing network of investors and mentors throughout.
My advice to founders - It's not just about being seen—it's about being impossible to ignore and I am really looking forward to meeting all the great entrepreneurs and founders coming through the doors and meeting them at the Final Pitch.
4. Final Word?
In Web3, the frontier is wide open—but only the bold should build here. If you're solving real problems, thinking globally, and playing the long game, this is your time. The next generation of billion-dollar protocols and companies won't come from the old guard—they'll come from the new generation that understands the future which is tech, web3, AI. Be relentless. Be undeniable. Be true to your vision and succeed even when everyone says you cant !!
John Aguilar — Creator and host of The Final Pitch and Founder of Dragon's Nest, LLC FZ
1. What are some common blind spots or challenges early-stage founders face- no matter where they're from?
Across the hundreds of pitches I've seen throughout Asia, one of the biggest blind spots among early-stage founders is not thinking big enough. Many build for their local market without considering how to make their venture attractive to global investors or scalable across borders. In today's interconnected world, the most compelling startups are those that solve universal problems with a localized approach. Another common challenge is storytelling—founders often struggle to communicate their 'why' in a way that resonates emotionally and commercially with potential backers.
2. What made Dubai the next natural destination for The Final Pitch, and how do you see the show adding value to the region's startup ecosystem?
Dubai is fast becoming the region's entrepreneurial hub, with world-class infrastructure, progressive regulation, and a deepening pool of capital and talent. But more than funding, what founders need now is strategic partnership. That's where The Final Pitch comes in.
Our investor-judges are not just check-writers—they're mentors and co-builders. Sami Khoreibi is drawn to idea-stage startups he can take from 0 to 1. Bijan Alizadeh, perhaps the show's most prolific investor, is ready to deploy up to $10 million for the right opportunity. A proptech founder would do well to pitch to 'The Wolf of Real Estate' Mohanad Alwadiya, while those eyeing public-private synergies can gain invaluable insight from Jigar Sagar.