About the Role
Guildhall is running the search for a founding CEO to launch an AI-powered retail app, backed by an established regional investment group, with offices opening in DIFC. You will own strategy, fundraising, P&L and go-to-market as the company builds its founding team of around 15 across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The backing is already in place — the mandate now is to take the product to market and build the team around it. It is a rare chance to run a company from day one rather than join one already built.
Package: AED 58,000–91,000 per month, plus significant equity/founder-level stake
The role
- Set vision, strategy and business model for a new retail app
- Lead fundraising: build investor relationships and close funding rounds
- Build and lead a founding executive team across product, tech and marketing
- Own P&L and drive the business toward sustainable growth
- Set go-to-market strategy across UAE, KSA and wider GCC markets
- Represent the company to investors, partners, brands and media
- Keep the product roadmap aligned to market needs and AI capability
- Navigate regulatory and market considerations across the GCC
- Report to the board and work closely with investors
What you'll bring
- 5–10 years' leadership experience, including one full cycle as CEO, founder or senior exec
- A track record of raising capital from angel, VC or strategic investors
- Experience building and scaling a team from early stage
- Strong understanding of GCC consumer behaviour and business culture
- P&L ownership and commercial decision-making experience
- Fluent English; Arabic fluency an advantage
- Fashion, e-commerce or retail-tech background is preferred
- Comfort translating AI/ML capability into customer-facing product value
What's on offer
- Base salary plus a significant equity or founder-level stake
- Full ownership of company build, from product to team to market entry
- Direct access to investor network and board support
- Based in Dubai (DIFC), with regional travel across the GCC
Why apply through Guildhall
- Boutique executive search firm in Dubai, established 2010
- 8x independent industry awards since 2020
- 4.9-star Google rating from 250+ reviews
- Direct access to the retained consultant running this search
Hiring a founding CEO for an AI fashion startup in Dubai
Dubai, and DIFC in particular, has become a common launch base for consumer tech and fashion-tech startups targeting the GCC. A founding CEO in this space typically owns strategy, fundraising and go-to-market from day one, and reports directly to a board or investor group rather than a parent company structure. Hiring for this kind of role signals that funding and mandate are already in place, with execution as the next step. Candidates who have raised capital and scaled a consumer app or fashion-tech product from early stage are in demand across the region.
Common questions
What does a CEO do in Dubai?
A startup CEO in Dubai typically owns company strategy, fundraising, P&L and go-to-market execution. They build and lead the founding executive team and represent the company to investors, partners and media. In an AI consumer app, this includes aligning the product roadmap with market needs and regional consumer behaviour.
What experience do I need to apply?
Employers typically look for 5–10 years of leadership experience, including at least one cycle as CEO, founder or senior executive at a startup or high-growth company. A track record of raising capital and scaling a team from early stage is usually required. Experience in fashion, retail-tech or AI-driven consumer products is often preferred.
How do I apply?
Apply directly on this page. A Guildhall consultant reviews every application confidentially and will contact suitable candidates directly.
What does this role pay?
The published range for this role is AED 58,000–91,000 per month, plus a significant equity or founder-level stake.
Salary Guide — Similar Jobs
This is not the salary for this job. It is a general guide showing what people in similar jobs usually earn, based on 1,135 real salaries shared with Guildhall. The salary for this job may be different.
Similar Roles at Guildhall
For Employers
Hiring for a role like this?
Guildhall places pre-vetted candidates for positions like this one across the UAE and GCC — most shortlists are delivered within days.
The Agency Behind This Role
This search is managed by Guildhall — an 8× award-winning executive search and recruitment agency, rated 4.9★ across 250+ Google reviews, recruiting in Dubai and across the GCC.