You are actively seeking Seed or Scale Up capital.
Pitch James Caan:
Founders to present their ideas to the Dragon's Den Star in Dubai
Meet James Caan CBE in Dubai
World famous BBC Dragons’ Den investor James Caan CBE is coming to Dubai in March 2026 to meet the region’s boldest and most ambitious founders.
Watch James hear pitches from some of the Middle East’s brightest minds, each hoping to secure funding from one of the most prolific investors of our time.
This isn’t just another pitch event.
James will be joined by Ayman Alashkar, CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw MENA, along with a team of professional investors.
If you think you’ve got what it takes to pitch to a real-life Dragon…
Our Portfolio
The Panel
Meet the people behind Pitch the Dragon: Dubai 2026
James Caan CBE
Founder, Hamilton Bradshaw | Investor | BBC UK’s Dragons’ Den (UK’s Shark Tank)
James Caan CBE is one of the UK’s most recognised entrepreneurs, with over 40 years of experience building and investing in businesses globally.
As Founder and Chairman of Hamilton Bradshaw, his private family office in Mayfair, London, he partners with exceptional founders to scale service-led and technology-enabled ventures across Europe, MENA, and the US.
As Founder and Chairman of Hamilton Bradshaw, his private family office in Mayfair, London, he partners with exceptional founders to scale service-led and technology-enabled ventures across Europe, MENA, and the US.
Ayman Alashkar MSc
CEO, Hamilton Bradshaw MENA | Founder & CEO, overwrite.ai | AI PropTech Pioneer & Investor
Ayman Alashkar is an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and AI innovator with more than two decades of experience across the MENA region and the UK.
As CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw MENA, he leads the firm’s expansion into the Middle East, investing in high-growth professional services and AI-driven businesses. His PropTech company, overwrite.ai, was the first from MENA to join NVIDIA’s Inception Accelerator.
As CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw MENA, he leads the firm’s expansion into the Middle East, investing in high-growth professional services and AI-driven businesses. His PropTech company, overwrite.ai, was the first from MENA to join NVIDIA’s Inception Accelerator.
What to expect
Founders are invited to apply for Pitch the Dragon: Dubai 2026.
Those shortlisted will be contacted before pitching in front of a recorded event.
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for ambitious founders building the next generation of professional services businesses in the Middle East.
Our focus spans a wide range of industries. Submit your pitch and if we feel your vibe, we’ll be in touch.
Ideal Founder Profile:
You’re building a service-driven business to scale.
Domain Expertise:
You’ve got at least 5 years experience in your industry.
Regional focus:
Your business is based in the UAE or KSA.
Funding stage:
Vision for scale:
You have a clear roadmap to grow sustainably and create measurable value across the region.
Successful pitches will benefit from Hamilton Bradshaw’s capital resources and strategic support.
Disclaimer: By submitting your application, you confirm that you are the founder or authorised representative of the business and that all information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge. Submission does not guarantee selection, mentorship, or investment, and shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly by the Hamilton Bradshaw MENA team. All application materials will be treated confidentially and used solely to evaluate suitability for the Pitch the Dragon: Dubai 2026 programme. Hamilton Bradshaw reserves the right to amend event details, including dates, format, or selection criteria, without prior notice. No application fees are charged, and applicants are responsible for their own travel or accommodation costs if participating in the live event. All intellectual property in submitted materials remains with the applicant.