Salim Akil — Venture Building Consultant | UAE & KSA
I help first-time entrepreneurs, SMEs, and governments build up ventures across the UAE and KSA.
What I Do
I'm a Venture Builder Consultant with a background in Communication Technology Engineering and over
20 years of experience building and scaling startups across the UAE and KSA. I've built four
startups in the eCommerce and FinTech sectors and worked hands-on with hundreds of founders,
supporting their journey from idea validation to MVP, go-to-market, and Product Market Fit.
I was recognized by Forbes Middle East in 2016 and 2017, am a ADPList100 — One of the World's
Most Influential Mentors (2026), and was among the first entrepreneurs to receive UAE government
funding for a tech startup. Today, I collaborate closely with SMEs, Government-backed Programs,
Universities, and Accelerators, and I host the B Model Podcast (500,000+ views on YouTube),
where I share real founder journeys and practical insights on building ventures that actually work.
How I Can Help
-
Idea Validation — Market research, customer discovery, and hypothesis testing
to ensure you're building something people want.
-
MVP Strategy & Development — Define your core features, build quickly,
and get to market with a product that delivers real value.
-
Go-to-Market Strategy — Customer acquisition, growth channels, and positioning
to find your first 1,000 customers.
-
Product Market Fit — Validate demand, refine your value proposition, and
iterate until your product resonates with the right audience.
Portfolio
- Venture OS — Venture Building Operation System
- Prxee — AI-Powered Professional Connections That Matter
- Jam3ya — Empowering Communities Through Simple and Secure Digital Savings Circles
- B Model Podcast — Dive deep into the competitive landscape and examine the future of different business models.
- BE Venture Partners — A dynamic venture-building ecosystem that specializes in creating, scaling, and supporting innovative startups across multiple sectors globally.
FinTech Expertise — Navigating UAE FinTech Regulation From the Inside
I'm not a lawyer — I'm an entrepreneur who's been through it. Over the past year I've worked
directly with UAE regulators to bring Jam3ya (as part of the Emirates NBD FinTech Program) and
two other FinTech ventures through the regulatory sandbox process. I've published articles,
hosted webinars in collaboration with Sandooq Al Watan, and interviewed founders and legal
experts across the ecosystem to make this knowledge accessible to other entrepreneurs.
-
Regulatory Sandboxes — Hands-on experience with ADGM RegLab, DIFC Innovation
Hub, and the Central Bank of UAE sandbox — from pre-application to graduation. (ADGM · DIFC · CBUAE)
-
Compliance & Documentation — Transaction workflow diagrams, AML/KYC
protocols, data security plans, and the full documentation stack required for sandbox approval.
(AML · KYC · Data Protection)
-
Thought Leadership — Published articles and webinars covering the FinTech
regulatory journey in the UAE — cost breakdowns, team structures, and real case studies.
(AD SME Hub · Webinars)
B Model Podcast
Uncovering the strategies behind successful ventures. Dive deep into the competitive landscape
and examine the future of different business models. The B Model Podcast has amassed 500,000+
views on YouTube.
-
Episode 01 — Islam Zween (CEO, Argaam): With a challenging business model,
they were acquired by the Saudi Media Group in 2017. (45 min)
-
Episode 02 — Rabea Ataya (Founder, Bayt.com & Wamda): A deep dive with
the venture builder of the region — building companies, ecosystems, and the future of
entrepreneurship in the Arab world. (45 min)
-
Episode 03 — Idriss Alrifai (Founder, Fetchr): The first unicorn in the
region with a logistics-based business model. (45 min)
AI Advisory Board — Ask Me Anything
I've spent 20+ years building ventures across the UAE and KSA — four startups in FinTech and
eCommerce, hundreds of founders mentored, and a front-row seat to how regulation, markets, and
growth actually work in this region. Now you can tap into that experience directly, any time.
Ask me anything — from idea validation to your first customers — and get a real,
experience-backed answer in seconds.
- How do I navigate the UAE FinTech regulatory sandbox process for my startup?
- What's the best way to launch an eCommerce or marketplace business in the Gulf?
- How do I find my first customers and get real traction early on?
Chat with Salim Now
Recognition & Awards
- Forbes Middle East — recognised 2016 & 2017
- ADPList100 — World's Most Influential Mentors 2026
- First entrepreneur to receive UAE government funding for a tech startup
Contact
Let's Build Something Great. Have an idea you're excited about? I'd love to hear from you.