Dubai’s tech expats say it’s business as usual

Dubai’s large expat tech community has largely shrugged off weeks of drone and missile attacks attributed to Iran, with founders, investors and service providers saying daily life and business continue and that the city’s appeal will outlast the current security shock. The UAE Central Bank’s 1 trillion dirham ($270 billion) “resilience package,” announced on March 18, and continued operation of public services and transport have underpinned confidence even as air defenses intercepted large numbers of incoming projectiles.

“The attacks have created noise, some flight disruptions, but not structural damage to the ecosystem,” said Mohammed Soliman, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

Context and immediate effects

Since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, the UAE reported that by March 22 its air defenses had intercepted more than 1,700 drones and 360 missiles. The attacks have caused at least seven fatalities and 145 injuries in the UAE, and authorities have detained 109 people for filming and sharing images and videos of the incidents. Several high-profile sites in Dubai, including Dubai International Airport, have suffered damage from falling debris.

• UAE Central Bank resilience package: 1 trillion dirhams (~$270 billion), announced March 18.
• Air defenses interceptions (as of March 22): >1,700 drones and 360 missiles.
• Casualties reported: at least seven killed, 145 injured.
• Residency context: expats account for nearly 90% of Dubai’s population; over 300,000 Golden Visas issued by 2025 (estimated).

Despite this, founders and advisers told Rest of World they are staying, returning, or even launching new ventures. Mirna Mneimne, co‑founder of AI well‑being platform Elggo who divides her time between Beirut and Dubai, said: “I have lived most of my life in a war zone. Dubai was and still is the safest place I have ever lived in.” Salman Waris, founding partner at tech law firm TechLegis, added: “While the sound of intercepted drones or missiles can be unsettling, daily life in Dubai has largely continued normally, with most public services, attractions, and transportation operating as usual.”

Operational measures and liquidity support aim to blunt the economic hit. The resilience package allows banks to access 30% of their reserve balances, temporarily eases liquidity and funding requirements and offers flexibility on what constitutes a problem loan while seeking to maintain credit flow. Sahil Makker, managing partner at Brillwood Capital, said investors are reassessing strategies but see opportunity: the conflict “will clear more room and options for them and more opportunities for them.”

Business response and outlook

Some investors acknowledge a short pause in deals. “Some conversations have slowed or paused as people wait for clarity,” said Daniyal Baig, co‑founder of AI conversational commerce platform MyAlice, “The view across the board is optimistic based on this region’s history. Once this conflict resolves, confidence should return quickly.” On the operational side, Abhi CEO and co‑founder Omair Ansari said his neobank is tightening underwriting while seeking ways to help customers and government cushion economic impact: “We are being extra‑vigilant in our underwriting criteria… one should never waste a crisis.”

Looking ahead, several observers expect Dubai’s ecosystem to rebound. Wes Schwalje, co‑founder of Tahseen Consulting, argued the environment can even produce new startups: “When the world feels volatile, global talent and capital gravitate here because they know the best companies aren’t built when the sun is shining.” For now, most expat founders and investors are betting that short‑term disruption will not upend Dubai’s long‑term business case.