PITCH THE DRAGON:
JAMES CAAN - DUBAI 2026
What if you had the chance to pitch your idea to a global Dragon?
James Caan CBE — the renowned investor from BBC’s Dragons’ Den — is coming to Dubai 2026 to meet the region’s boldest entrepreneurs.
Where the Dragon Meets Dubai —
Global Investment. Local Ambition.
In February 2026, James Caan CBE, the world-renowned investor and one of the original Dragons on BBC UK’s Dragons’ Den, brings his family office Hamilton Bradshaw MENA to the region’s most dynamic business stage — Pitch the Dragon: Dubai 2026.
This isn’t just another pitch event.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pitch directly to James Caan CBE — the Dragon who has backed and built hundreds of businesses globally — alongside leading investors shaping the future of the Middle East.
Co-hosted by James Caan CBE and Ayman Alashkar MSc, CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw MENA and Founder of overwrite.ai, the event celebrates Dubai’s bold, visionary spirit — where ambition, innovation, and investment collide to create the region’s next great success stories.
Our Portfolio
The Investment Panel
Meet the visionaries behind Pitch the Dragon: Dubai 2026 — a panel of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders who’ve built, scaled, and backed some of the world’s most successful ventures. These experts bring decades of experience across investment, AI, recruitment, and professional services — ready to discover and mentor MENA’s next generation of founders.
James Caan CBE
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
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 across MENA are invited to apply for Pitch the Dragon: Dubai 2026.
Shortlisted entrepreneurs will receive mentoring before pitching live in February 2026 to a panel of global investors.
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for ambitious founders building the next generation of service-led or technology-enabled businesses shaping the Middle East.
Our focus spans a wide range of professional service domains, including:
Receivables Management, Financial Consulting, Outsourcing Solutions, Technology Services, HR & Talent Advisory, Legal, Accounting, and Business Support.
To Apply, You Should Meet the Following Criteria:
Founder-led:
You lead a service-driven or technology-enabled business with a scalable model.
Operational traction:
You’ve been trading for 12–36 months, or can demonstrate a validated proof of concept.
Regional focus:
Your business is based in or expanding into the MENA region.
Funding stage:
You’re actively seeking Seed, Series A, or strategic growth capital.
Vision for scale:
You have a clear roadmap to grow sustainably and create measurable impact across the region.
Key Dates
Submit your pitch deck and introduce your business to the Hamilton Bradshaw MENA team.
The top 20 founders will be selected and invited to take part in the next stage.
Work one-on-one with mentors and industry leaders to refine your pitch and investment strategy.
Pitch your business live in Dubai to a panel of global investors led by James Caan CBE.
Ready to Pitch to James Caan CBE?
Entrepreneurs Wanted
Whether you’re launching a new venture or a founder ready to scale, if your business is service-led, scalable, and built for growth, we want to hear from you.
How It Works
Submit Your Proposal – Complete the online form and upload your 3-page business deck.
Get Shortlisted – Our panel selects finalists based on potential, traction, and innovation.
Receive Mentorship – Shortlisted founders gain pitch coaching and one-to-one guidance.
Pitch Live in Dubai – Present your business to leading investors and industry experts.
Secure Investment – Winners access Hamilton Bradshaw’s mentorship and investor network.
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.