Hosted across the 22nd and 23rd of October 2025, the Tech in Asia Conference in Jakarta – one of the most significant tech events in the Indonesian archipelago – saw Indonesia and Southeast Asia’s tech industry converge for bold ideas, practical playbooks and unfiltered insights.
Speaking on a panel titled: “From deserts to deltas: How SEA and the Middle East can foster cross-regional startup ecosystems,” alongside leaders from Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, Airalo and Cradle Fund, Aditya Aima, Managing Director of Growth Markets and Co-MD of India/MENA for AnyMind Group, shared views on what it takes to successfully establish and grow a business in the Middle East region.
Understanding MENA: A Mosaic, Not a Monolith
When asked about common misconceptions in expanding into the Middle East, Aditya began with a striking analogy:
“These are not correlated markets. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are two very different things altogether. MENA isn’t a single market but a mosaic in motion.”
For AnyMind, localization has always been foundational. Each market in the region has its own rhythm, rulebook, and runway. What works in Dubai may not translate to Riyadh or Doha.
“We go in to understand cultural nuances, set up local teams, and build relevance market by market. That’s how we’ve grown.”
It’s this mix of local empathy and regional perspective that allows AnyMind to adapt its BPaaS solutions – spanning marketing, commerce, publisher and creator ecosystems – to fit local business realities.
Building Trust Before Speed
Aditya described the Middle East as operating on “two speeds.”
“It’s either very slow or very fast. Until trust is built, things move at a snail’s pace. Once you’ve developed trust with your stakeholders, things move at breakneck speed.”
In such a relationship-driven business environment, trust is the true accelerator. That’s why AnyMind invests locally, in people and growing its ecosystems. The company builds roots first, then scales once relationships turn into momentum.
From creators to government partners in the Middle East region, the principle is the same: you move at the speed of trust.
Aligning With Vision 2030: Seeing Governments as Markets
The Gulf’s economic transformation isn’t just a story of capital, it’s a story of clear national direction. Whether it’s Saudi Vision 2030 or the UAE Centennial 2071, these frameworks guide how innovation, investment, and enterprise evolve.
“Many of your biggest potential clients in the Middle East are also regulators. When you align with their strategic vision, you’re not just winning contracts, you’re becoming part of their transformation.”
For AnyMind, this alignment isn’t performative. It’s how the company embeds itself into long-term change: helping stakeholders across its ecosystems unlock true value across sectors like AI and gaming.
Bridging Two Ecosystems: SEA’s Experimentation Meets MENA’s Scale
Southeast Asia and the Middle East may seem worlds apart, but Aditya sees them as complementary forces.
“Southeast Asia offers experimentation. The Middle East brings scale, structure, and appetite.”
SEA is fast, adaptive, and diverse; the perfect testing ground for new technologies and business models. MENA, on the other hand, provides clarity of vision, funding opportunities, and an eagerness to invest in transformation.
Together, they form a loop of innovation and growth:
- Southeast Asia tests and learns quickly.
- The Middle East scales with purpose and capital.
- Both are able to accelerate each other’s evolution.
The Creator Advantage
Even as affiliate ecosystems in the Gulf are still developing, creator communities are thriving. AnyMind’s ability to empower creators enables brands to engage audiences authentically.
“Creators are the bridge between brands and culture. They help you localize your message faster than any campaign ever could.”
By combining data, AI, and on-the-ground relationships, AnyMind is helping creators and businesses build ecosystems of trust and storytelling that drive real growth.
Building in the Middle East the AnyMind Way
AnyMind’s approach to the Middle East follows the same ethos that built its success across Asia:
- Localize deeply. Respect the rhythm of each market.
- Build trust. Then scale fast.
- Align with purpose. National visions become catalysts.
- Invest in people. From creators to policymakers, growth begins with understanding and collaboration.
“It’s not just about expansion,” Aditya said. “It’s about becoming part of the transformation and growing together with the market.”
Working with a partner that understands the Middle East region, and can provide established ecosystems of technology, operations and local networks, can only accelerate your entry or expansion into the Gulf. Keen to know more? Reach out to us!
