iACCEL GBI welcomes Dhruv Verma as strategic growth advisor to empower startups across MENA
A visionary entrepreneur and a Tedx speaker, Verma brings extensive expertise in consumer engagement and scaling businesses across global markets. Verma is widely recognised for his success with GolfLan and his innovative, customer-centric approach to business. His proactive and growth-driven mindset has been instrumental in transforming his golf-focused venture into Thriwe, a leading loyalty and benefits platform catering to a diverse audience. Under his leadership, Thriwe has expanded its reach beyond golf and sports, offering tailored solutions across lifestyle, wellness, travel, dining, and retail. Thriwe evolved into a dynamic benefits marketplace in UAE and India, demonstrating Verma's keen adaptability and strategic vision.
Thriwe has emerged as a leading platform for loyalty programmes and customer benefits, evolving from a single-market operation in India to a multinational enterprise with a presence across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the UK. This extensive, first-hand experience in navigating the complexities of global expansion positions Thriwe as a valuable mentor within the iACCEL GBI initiative. Under the leadership of Verma, the company's achievements have been widely recognised. Verma has been honoured with several prestigious accolades, including: 'The Economic Times' Most Promising Business Leader of Asia 2020-21' and 'Asia One's Most Influential Young Leader 2021-22'.
As a passionate start-up enthusiast, Verma is committed to bringing valuable insights and strategic vision to iACCEL GBI. His focus will center on guiding startups to scale their businesses efficiently, offering mentorship, and unlocking new market opportunities across the region. In addition to this, Verma's contributions will extend to iACCEL GBI's Masterclass Series, which is designed to equip emerging businesses with the essential knowledge and skills needed for sustainable success. He will also play an active role in the incubator's think tank, helping shape future initiatives aimed at driving industry-wide impact and fostering innovation on a broader scale.
Commenting on the appointment, Deepak Ahuja, founder and CEO of iACCEL GBI, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Dhruv Verma to our growing network of visionary leaders. His remarkable journey in entrepreneurship and market expansion is a testament to what is possible with the right strategy and mindset. We are confident that Dhruv's expertise will be vital in empowering startups under iACCEL GBI - equipping them with the guidance and resources needed to prepare for the future and scale successfully."
Anishkaa Gehani, co-founder of iACCEL GBI, added: "We are extremely delighted to have Dhruv on board as a strategic growth advisor. Scaling a business can be one of the toughest challenges for any founder and with someone like Dhruv as a part of our Leadership team gives impetus to our vision of enabling cross-border expansion for promising startups, helping them overcome challenges and unlock new market opportunities. His expertise will be pivotal in our mission to foster the vibrant start-up ecosystem of the region and not only guide our startups but also strengthen the regional ecosystem."
On joining iACCEL GBI, Verma said: "Entrepreneurship is a relentless pursuit of innovation and adaptability. I strongly align with iACCEL GBI's mission to empower startups and accelerate their success. In today's fast-evolving UAE market, founders need more than just ideas — they need strategic direction, resilience, and a growth-driven mindset. I am excited to collaborate with this dynamic team to help young businesses navigate challenges, scale effectively, and contribute to building a globally connected, thriving startup ecosystem in the UAE and beyond."
Founded in the UAE in 2023 under the Hamdan Incubation Program, iACCEL GBI remains dedicated to helping growth-stage startups expand into the UAE and GCC markets, leveraging Dubai as a global launchpad.
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