Why I Founded The Arabian Dream
Dear readers,
Today, I’d like to share why I decided to establish The Arabian Dream, a company formation agency in Dubai, and how my entrepreneurial journey has shaped this endeavor. Drawing from over two decades in the tech industry, I saw an opportunity to bring a fresh approach to business setup in Dubai, built on transparency and true expertise.
My Entrepreneurial Background
I am Tobias Hieb, a tech entrepreneur with more than 22 years of experience. My journey began with founding Actra Online AG, where I served as CEO and led the company to a successful exit in 2005. Following that, I created sevenmac.de, which became one of Europe’s most-read Apple online magazines before being acquired by Media Markt Saturn’s investment arm in 2009. Later, I established an agency focused on brand development and communication strategy, which ultimately inspired my SaaS project management software, TeamGrid. Two years ago, I relocated from Berlin to Dubai, where I went through the business formation process myself, an experience that would eventually lead to the inception of The Arabian Dream.
My Initial Experiences with Business Formation in Dubai
Upon moving to Dubai, I hired a well-known agency to set up my business. While the process went smoothly, I later realized I had been charged significantly more than the industry average. Intrigued, I began investigating various agency offerings, only to find widespread intransparency, with most agencies refraining from publishing clear prices. The reason, I discovered, was simple: an enormous disparity in service fees and, in many cases, excessive markups.
For example, a basic setup in a Freezone, including a visa, should cost no more than around 9,000 euros. Yet, I found that many agencies charged substantially more, often adding high fees for services like bank account setup—a process that, when done correctly, can usually be completed in minutes once the Emirates ID is obtained. These practices reflect a concerning lack of transparency in the industry.
Tip: A trustworthy agency will provide clear pricing on their website and avoid charging unreasonable fees for basic services.
Who’s Behind the Company Formation Industry?
During my research, I found that the industry in Dubai includes a wide range of players, many of whom have little entrepreneurial experience. A considerable number are influencers or celebrities leveraging their online presence to offer business setup services without the necessary expertise. Some firms even market themselves as legal offices, preying on potential clients’ concerns about complex tax issues, like Germany’s exit tax, to upsell their services. However, a certified tax advisor from Germany is typically the only professional qualified to address such matters accurately.
Building The Arabian Dream – A Transparent and Professional Solution
Throughout my career, I have always strived to improve processes and bring greater value to clients. This is the foundation of The Arabian Dream. Our service is rooted in complete transparency: all prices and services are clearly listed on our website, and every client pays the same rate. Our fees are limited to business setup and visa services, while government fees are passed directly to the client without any markup.
Integrity and Expertise – The Arabian Dream’s Added Value
One of the ways The Arabian Dream stands out is our commitment to integrity and due diligence. We ensure that all tax and legal questions are clarified before proceeding with a client’s company formation in Dubai. In our initial consultations, we assess each client’s specific circumstances to avoid any potential tax liabilities. If necessary, we work closely with German tax experts to provide tailored solutions, protecting our clients from unforeseen issues and ensuring they receive well-informed advice.
Embracing Digital Solutions for Business Formation
As a tech entrepreneur, I am always looking for ways to simplify and automate processes. My vision for The Arabian Dream is to build a platform that allows entrepreneurs to establish their business, open a bank account, and initiate the visa process in just 15 minutes—all automated and accessible without an intermediary agency. This is the future I envision for the business formation industry, and my team and I are actively working on a solution to make it a reality.
In Summary
The Arabian Dream is the culmination of years of entrepreneurial experience, driven by the goal of making business formation in Dubai more accessible, transparent, and efficient. If you’re interested in establishing a business in Dubai, I invite you to reach out. Simply visit our website, schedule a consultation, and together we’ll determine the best approach for your venture.
You can also watch this article as a video on YouTube.
Warm regards,
Tobias Hieb
