- The Final Pitch debuts in the Middle East on 17 November 2025, exclusive to OSNtv and OSN+.
- Filmed at Expo City Dubai with mentorship and investment on the line.
- Sixteen founders from tech, sustainability, health, fintech and social impact kick off the season.
- Partners include Meydan Free Zone and Rove Hotels, with support from DET.
- The franchise launched in Asia in 2017 and has linked 350+ startups to funding and partnerships.
Dubai is getting its own edition of The Final Pitch, the business reality series where founders pitch investors, get grilled, then mentored, and maybe walk away with deals. The regional debut lands on 17 November 2025 on OSNtv and OSN+. Filming takes place at Expo City Dubai, and the first episode features sixteen founders representing tech, health, fintech, sustainability and social impact.
If you want to plan your watch list on OSN+, our monthly roundup is here: OSN+ new TV shows and movies in October 2025. And yes, Expo City is staying busy this season too.
What is The Final Pitch Dubai?
The Middle East edition adapts the award-winning series for the UAE, with a focus on real funding outcomes and structured mentorship. It is shot at Expo City Dubai and premieres on 17 November on OSNtv and OSN+.
- First Middle East adaptation of the franchise
- Filmed at Expo City Dubai
- Weekly drops on OSNtv and streaming on OSN+
- Sectors include tech, sustainability, health, fintech and social impact
The season opens with sixteen founders pitching to investor-judges and angels. Shortlisted founders move into an intensive mentorship phase, with some getting a day-long exposure to the judges’ businesses. The finale is where offers land and deals get signed.
Who are the 16 founders?
The cast spans wellness, RegTech, water, e-commerce logistics and more, reflecting the region’s mix of consumer and B2B plays.
- Mark White — Daily Five (wellness routines)
- Lisa Laterza — Detekta (AI-driven RegTech)
- Fardeen & Zainab Shaikh — PAANI (mineral water in reusable aluminium cans)
- Namrata Raina — QYUBIC
- Nikita Zhuchkov & Helen Kareva — SpeakUp
- Menna Shahin & Maxim Haartsen — eJaby
- Wandalyn Calupig — Cancer E-Clinic
- Sara Masinaei — Artful Minds
- Annie Stacey — Reloved
- Lorna & Hassaan Ghazali — Plada
- Katrina Skrypal — HydroLuxe
- Abdullah & Sharif Eid — Copa Fantasy
- Deepak Lingam — EVChargerUAE
- Jessica Panigari — Goods2Load
- Sergio Sanchez & Henrik Hildebrandt — Rubia Gallega
It’s a broad mix, which should make for varied pitches. From compliance tooling to last-mile logistics and sustainability, the show covers the same sectors currently filling demo days in the UAE. For context on the local scene, see our coverage of Expand North Star 2025 and Dubai SME’s North Star support.
Who’s on the investor bench and who’s backing the show?
Expect a mix of investor-judges and mentors with regional ties, plus government-adjacent partners.
- John Aguilar returns as Creator and Host
- Investor-judge Jigar Sagar, Triliv Holdings
- Investor-judge Sami Khoreibi, Incubayt Investments
- Strategic partners: Meydan Free Zone and Rove Hotels
- Support: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism
Aguilar frames the Dubai season as a platform where “ideas meet opportunity,” anchored by Expo City. Jigar Sagar calls entrepreneurship part of Dubai’s “DNA,” underlining the city’s appetite for growth-stage deals. Sami Khoreibi highlights the link between passionate founders and investors who know how to scale. The production is also plugged into the local ecosystem through Meydan Free Zone, Rove Hotels and DET.
How the format works this season
The structure follows a simple arc: initial pitches, mentorship, business exposure, then final deals.
- Opening round: 16 founders pitch to investor-judges
- Selection: chosen founders progress to mentorship
- Field day: some get a day inside the judges’ businesses
- Finale: final pitches, offers and deals
The mentorship phase matters. Founders not only refine their pitches but also stress-test their plans against operators’ realities. A day-long exposure to the judges’ businesses should help the cohort align their products with real market needs before stepping onto the final stage.
Why this matters for the UAE startup scene
The series combines visibility with access, two things early-stage founders need. It also puts Expo City Dubai back on screen as a symbol of the country’s tech ambitions. The Final Pitch positions itself as a celebration of innovation and collaboration, bringing founders, investors and mentors onto one stage.
For more on the region’s pipeline, see our pieces on Hub71’s latest cohort and Dubai Holding’s Impact Accelerator.
When does The Final Pitch Dubai premiere in the UAE?
17 November 2025. Episodes air weekly on OSNtv and stream on OSN+.
Where is the show filmed?
Expo City Dubai.
How many founders are in the season opener?
Sixteen, across tech, sustainability, health, fintech and social impact.
Who are the investor-judges?
The panel includes Jigar Sagar and Sami Khoreibi, with John Aguilar as Creator and Host.
Is this the first Middle East edition of the franchise?
Yes. It’s the first adaptation in the region.
Where did the franchise start and how big is it?
It launched in Asia in 2017 and has connected over 350 startups to funding and partnerships.
