Everyone is advising against Dubai right now, and that is exactly why Ayman and I are on a plane there. Twelve meetings with AI decision makers and investors, the question of where to invest smartly while others hesitate, and why the Emirates are looking for partners who deliver instead of talk.
As an entrepreneur I cannot wait for politicians to understand what AI is doing right now. While Europe is still debating, others have long been acting. The United Arab Emirates are investing billions, the government is switching everything to AI, and it is looking for partners who do not just talk but deliver. That is why Ayman, our CTO and co-founder, and I are heading to Dubai. Whether the trip could happen at all was unclear until the very end.
From Frankfurt to Dubai with Ayman Kalaie, CTO of sifamo GmbH, June 2026.
Frankfurt Terminal 3: A start with a detour
The meeting point is the new Terminal 3 in Frankfurt, Ayman is coming from Berlin. The terminal looks really sharp, the automated baggage drop works brilliantly, even though we only arrive 20 minutes before it closes. We grab snacks in the lounge, then head to the gate. The flight takes just under seven hours instead of the usual time, because the plane has to fly around a few crisis regions. It is a brand-new A350, flying out of Frankfurt for the first time, with a business class that is really well done. Ayman is excited, as he puts it. Hopefully it stays calm.
Why we are flying to Dubai: Holding, summit and the next investment
As an entrepreneur you usually have several ventures. We have built a number of companies and put a holding structure on top. A holding exists to manage wealth and build further companies, and in Germany it makes sense for tax purposes, because you do not have to pay tax on everything immediately and you keep capital for new companies.
Dubai draws us because we held our summit there last year. That was a big investment, but it paid off: In AI we have celebrated major successes since then, we have become better known and are perceived completely differently. Now the question is which further investments will expand the holding and put its capital to sensible use. We all know that because of the current situation, everyone is advising against investing in Dubai right now. Among traders there is a phrase for that: Buy the dip. That is exactly part of the plan.
Financial advisor on the ground. We are meeting a very good friend who emigrated from Germany and advises us on investments. Emigrating is not an option for me personally, evaluating investment opportunities is. The conversation with him is in my post Investing in Dubai after the price crash (German).
AI partners wanted. We have meetings with people from the AI industry who are looking for German partners to build certain systems. The government of the Emirates plans to switch everything to AI and is already very far along.
Maybe further still. It may be that we have to fly on from Dubai. More on that when the time comes.
Arrival: An empty airport and a suite as a meeting room
Good to be back, but the airport is empty. It feels as if we are the only ones who arrived today; I have never seen Dubai like this. At least someone quickly turns up to take the suitcases. Our accommodation for the coming week is a suite on the 40th floor with a large living room. That sounds like luxury, but it is a working tool: Some of our potential future clients will come here for meetings, and the location is ideal for that. It is 9 pm, we are exhausted, the first appointments start tomorrow. So unpack, get used to the climate, prepare.
When it comes to AI governance, we at SIFAMO are the best, and that is what we want to prove here. How we make AI controllable, I explained in my post on AI control and our governance layer (German). Would you invest in Dubai right now, or is the risk too high for you? Tell me on LinkedIn or below the video on my YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
What does buy the dip mean for entrepreneurs?
Investing when prices have fallen because of a crisis and most people hesitate. It requires that you assess the situation yourself, are on the ground and can carry the risk. It is an entrepreneurial decision, not a recommendation for others.
Why are the Emirates looking for partners from Germany?
Because the government is systematically switching its administration and economy to AI and needs systems for that which work and can be controlled. German quality and experience with regulation are in demand there.
What is a holding good for?
It bundles shareholdings, manages wealth and makes it possible to invest profits in new companies in a tax-efficient way instead of paying them out immediately.
Everyone is advising against Dubai right now, and that is exactly why Ayman and I are on a plane there. Twelve meetings with AI decision makers and investors, the question of where to invest smartly while others hesitate, and why the Emirates are looking for partners who deliver instead of talk.
As an entrepreneur I cannot wait for politicians to understand what AI is doing right now. While Europe is still debating, others have long been acting. The United Arab Emirates are investing billions, the government is switching everything to AI, and it is looking for partners who do not just talk but deliver. That is why Ayman, our CTO and co-founder, and I are heading to Dubai. Whether the trip could happen at all was unclear until the very end.
Frankfurt Terminal 3: A start with a detour
The meeting point is the new Terminal 3 in Frankfurt, Ayman is coming from Berlin. The terminal looks really sharp, the automated baggage drop works brilliantly, even though we only arrive 20 minutes before it closes. We grab snacks in the lounge, then head to the gate. The flight takes just under seven hours instead of the usual time, because the plane has to fly around a few crisis regions. It is a brand-new A350, flying out of Frankfurt for the first time, with a business class that is really well done. Ayman is excited, as he puts it. Hopefully it stays calm.
Why we are flying to Dubai: Holding, summit and the next investment
As an entrepreneur you usually have several ventures. We have built a number of companies and put a holding structure on top. A holding exists to manage wealth and build further companies, and in Germany it makes sense for tax purposes, because you do not have to pay tax on everything immediately and you keep capital for new companies.
Dubai draws us because we held our summit there last year. That was a big investment, but it paid off: In AI we have celebrated major successes since then, we have become better known and are perceived completely differently. Now the question is which further investments will expand the holding and put its capital to sensible use. We all know that because of the current situation, everyone is advising against investing in Dubai right now. Among traders there is a phrase for that: Buy the dip. That is exactly part of the plan.
Arrival: An empty airport and a suite as a meeting room
Good to be back, but the airport is empty. It feels as if we are the only ones who arrived today; I have never seen Dubai like this. At least someone quickly turns up to take the suitcases. Our accommodation for the coming week is a suite on the 40th floor with a large living room. That sounds like luxury, but it is a working tool: Some of our potential future clients will come here for meetings, and the location is ideal for that. It is 9 pm, we are exhausted, the first appointments start tomorrow. So unpack, get used to the climate, prepare.
When it comes to AI governance, we at SIFAMO are the best, and that is what we want to prove here. How we make AI controllable, I explained in my post on AI control and our governance layer (German). Would you invest in Dubai right now, or is the risk too high for you? Tell me on LinkedIn or below the video on my YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions
What does buy the dip mean for entrepreneurs?
Investing when prices have fallen because of a crisis and most people hesitate. It requires that you assess the situation yourself, are on the ground and can carry the risk. It is an entrepreneurial decision, not a recommendation for others.
Why are the Emirates looking for partners from Germany?
Because the government is systematically switching its administration and economy to AI and needs systems for that which work and can be controlled. German quality and experience with regulation are in demand there.
What is a holding good for?
It bundles shareholdings, manages wealth and makes it possible to invest profits in new companies in a tax-efficient way instead of paying them out immediately.
Related: Umair Zaffar as AI Expert · AI Speaker
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