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Economic Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Foresight, Female Founders, and the Future - Vera Futorjanski on Building Big in Dubai
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel That's not a pitch—it's a reflection. Vera Futorjanski, founder of Veritas Ventures and a driving force behind several of Dubai's innovation milestones, joined the Live, Work & Play in Dubai podcast to share how the city's culture of foresight, inclusion, and speed has shaped her journey—and why it's a launchpad for founders arrived in Dubai a decade ago as an entrepreneur-in-residence for Rocket Internet. She stayed for four months—then never left. 'I wouldn't have had the same opportunities anywhere else in the world,' she said. 'I was here at the right time when Dubai decided we are going to diversify from oil and become the most innovative city on the planet.'That commitment wasn't just policy—it was participation. Vera became part of the founding team of Dubai Future Accelerators, a government-led platform that embedded startups inside public entities like Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), and the Health Authority.'We sat together, imagined a future 10, 20, 30 years ahead, and then scouted the world to find companies working on those topics—be it Hyperloop or blockchain. Then we brought them to Dubai and paired them with government teams. That's how real innovation happened.'For Indian businesses and entrepreneurs, this model presents a unique opportunity—working not around the system, but within it. Whether in smart mobility, digital identity, or urban tech, Dubai offers structured collaboration at her firm Veritas Ventures, Vera now helps governments, corporates, and scaleups define future scenarios and work backwards to get there.'It's about leading from the future. We ask: What do we want our preferred future to look like? And then we reverse-engineer it,' she explained. 'In a world of uncertainty, the ability to anticipate trends and prepare for them is not a luxury—it's a leadership skill.'This resonates strongly with India's tech ecosystem, which is also navigating rapid transitions in AI, climate, and urban growth. The difference? Dubai's public-private alignment accelerates initiative Beyond brings together women from across cultures and industries. 'In Dubai, I'm surrounded by empowered Arab women. But in Europe, many have never met one. I wanted to change that.'She curates gatherings with '10 women from 10 different countries,' fostering connection over transaction. 'You go deeper. That's why I love this region—it's about relationship-building.'She notes that platforms like DIFC's Ignite, Female Angels, and E7 are creating space for more female entrepreneurs and investors, something Indian founders can increasingly tap into.'Globally, only 2% of VC funding goes to women. Here, it's even less,' Vera noted. 'Men are asked visionary questions. Women are asked about the status quo.'Her advice? 'Say your vision, even if you're not asked. Politicians do it all the time—founders should too. We need more women on the other side of the table—female investors who relate to the founders in front of them. That's how real change will happen.'Dubai's startup ecosystem isn't just tech-friendly—it's accessible. 'In Europe, you send a fax. In Dubai, Emirates Post replies on Instagram,' Vera laughed. 'That digital efficiency is a game-changer.'Her advice to Indian entrepreneurs considering Dubai: 'Join communities. Don't do it alone. This city thrives on creativity and relationships.''I started as a professional dancer, then moved into politics, then tech. I've pivoted three times—and Dubai made all of that possible,' Vera a city where speed meets scale and vision meets execution; reinvention isn't an exception—it's the norm. 'That's the beauty of Dubai. It doesn't wait for the future. It builds it.'Click this lin link k for more on Business in Dubai.
Economic Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
The billion-dollar copycats: How three brothers turned cloning startups into a global empire
German brothers Marc, Oliver, and Alexander Samwer became billionaires by cloning successful U.S. startups like eBay, Airbnb, and Amazon, and launching their replicas in Europe. Their venture studio, Rocket Internet, industrialized this model, creating over 200 companies. Though controversial for copying ideas, their strategy of rapid execution and market dominance made them one of Europe's most successful tech entrepreneurs. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Rocket Internet: The Clone Factory Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Billionaire Brothers Who Divided the Startup World The Dark Side of Scaling Legacy of the Samwer Playbook In the late '90s, Silicon Valley was sizzling with innovation. But across the Atlantic, three German brothers — Marc, Oliver, and Alexander Samwer — were plotting something that would shake the startup world. The trio had just returned from the U.S., captivated by a rising platform called eBay . Eager to bring the online auction revolution to Germany, they pitched eBay a simple proposal: let us expand your business in said the brothers took matters into their own hands. In 1999, they launched Alando, a near carbon copy of eBay tailored for the German market. What followed was nothing short of digital wizardry. In just 100 days, Alando became Germany's leading auction site. eBay — now watching closely — made a staggering U-turn, buying Alando for $43 million. That hundred-day sprint marked the beginning of a trend: see it, clone it, sell with cash and confidence, the Samwer brothers built Rocket Internet in 2007, a venture studio engineered to mass-produce replicas of Silicon Valley success stories. While most founders chased innovation, the Samwers perfected replication. Their mantra? 'Innovation is overrated, execution is everything.'Rocket Internet didn't just build companies — it manufactured them. Its Berlin headquarters became a startup assembly line, offering entrepreneurs office space, tech support, marketing, and investor access. Soon, clones of Amazon (Lazada), Zappos (Zalando), Uber (Easy Taxi), Airbnb (Wimdu) and more began popping up across Europe, Asia, and Latin 2014, Rocket Internet had raised over $2 billion, operated in more than 100 countries, and employed over 30,000 people. Its startups weren't just surviving — many were thriving, some even listed on stock each Samwer brother is worth over $1.2 billion. Their clone empire has attracted big-name investors and lucrative exits. They have invested in the likes of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Zynga, and their stake in Groupon alone was once estimated at over a billion success has come with no shortage of controversy. At global tech summits from Paris to Berlin, their names evoke admiration and disdain in equal measure. Critics label them 'the kings of cloning', arguing that they piggyback on others' hard work. Supporters, however, point out that they bring services to markets where originals hesitated to expand — and that in business, speed and execution often matter more than major U.S. firms have quietly welcomed their approach. The Samwers often opened new markets so effectively that original creators found it more strategic to acquire the clone than to build from the glamor of billion-dollar valuations, Rocket Internet and its founders have faced harsh scrutiny. Former employees have accused the company of fostering toxic work environments, marked by extreme pressure, long hours, and aggressive targets. Their relentless push for speed over creativity has earned both praise for results — and scorn for the brothers remain unfazed. They defend their model as no different from other industries: 'Car companies don't reinvent the wheel every time — they just build better cars.'Love them or loathe them, the Samwer brothers changed the rules of global entrepreneurship . Where others saw barriers, they saw blueprints. Their story is a bold reminder that in the digital age, the line between innovation and imitation is blurrier than ever — and that sometimes, fortune doesn't favor the first mover, but the fastest tale of the Samwer brothers is not just about cloning — it's about timing, audacity, and an unapologetic belief in ruthless execution. From a failed pitch to a billion-dollar empire, they didn't just copy the Silicon Valley playbook. They sold it back — at a profit.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The billion-dollar copycats: How three brothers turned cloning startups into a global empire
Rocket Internet: The Clone Factory You Might Also Like: Redditor shares blueprint for building a startup while working a 9-5 job. Netizens applaud the solopreneur The Billionaire Brothers Who Divided the Startup World — michaelsikand (@michaelsikand) The Dark Side of Scaling Legacy of the Samwer Playbook You Might Also Like: Fresher intern outperforms team of experienced UI/UX developers; startup founder shares hiring secret In the late '90s, Silicon Valley was sizzling with innovation. But across the Atlantic, three German brothers — Marc, Oliver, and Alexander Samwer — were plotting something that would shake the startup world. The trio had just returned from the U.S., captivated by a rising platform called eBay. Eager to bring the online auction revolution to Germany, they pitched eBay a simple proposal: let us expand your business in said the brothers took matters into their own hands. In 1999, they launched Alando, a near carbon copy of eBay tailored for the German market. What followed was nothing short of digital wizardry. In just 100 days, Alando became Germany's leading auction site. eBay — now watching closely — made a staggering U-turn, buying Alando for $43 million. That hundred-day sprint marked the beginning of a trend: see it, clone it, sell with cash and confidence, the Samwer brothers built Rocket Internet in 2007, a venture studio engineered to mass-produce replicas of Silicon Valley success stories. While most founders chased innovation, the Samwers perfected replication. Their mantra? 'Innovation is overrated, execution is everything.'Rocket Internet didn't just build companies — it manufactured them. Its Berlin headquarters became a startup assembly line, offering entrepreneurs office space, tech support, marketing, and investor access. Soon, clones of Amazon (Lazada), Zappos (Zalando), Uber (Easy Taxi), Airbnb (Wimdu) and more began popping up across Europe, Asia, and Latin 2014, Rocket Internet had raised over $2 billion, operated in more than 100 countries, and employed over 30,000 people. Its startups weren't just surviving — many were thriving, some even listed on stock each Samwer brother is worth over $1.2 billion. Their clone empire has attracted big-name investors and lucrative exits. They have invested in the likes of Facebook, LinkedIn, and Zynga, and their stake in Groupon alone was once estimated at over a billion success has come with no shortage of controversy. At global tech summits from Paris to Berlin, their names evoke admiration and disdain in equal measure. Critics label them 'the kings of cloning', arguing that they piggyback on others' hard work. Supporters, however, point out that they bring services to markets where originals hesitated to expand — and that in business, speed and execution often matter more than major U.S. firms have quietly welcomed their approach. The Samwers often opened new markets so effectively that original creators found it more strategic to acquire the clone than to build from the glamor of billion-dollar valuations, Rocket Internet and its founders have faced harsh scrutiny. Former employees have accused the company of fostering toxic work environments, marked by extreme pressure, long hours, and aggressive targets. Their relentless push for speed over creativity has earned both praise for results — and scorn for the brothers remain unfazed. They defend their model as no different from other industries: 'Car companies don't reinvent the wheel every time — they just build better cars.'Love them or loathe them, the Samwer brothers changed the rules of global entrepreneurship . Where others saw barriers, they saw blueprints. Their story is a bold reminder that in the digital age, the line between innovation and imitation is blurrier than ever — and that sometimes, fortune doesn't favor the first mover, but the fastest tale of the Samwer brothers is not just about cloning — it's about timing, audacity, and an unapologetic belief in ruthless execution. From a failed pitch to a billion-dollar empire, they didn't just copy the Silicon Valley playbook. They sold it back — at a profit.
