Lessons learned from building a tech startup in Kuwait

Lessons learned from building a tech startup in Kuwait

Tarek Sakr is the founder and CEO of Kuwait-based e-commerce startup, 4Sale

Building a tech startup in Kuwait is no easy task for an entrepreneur. I know the challenges well having dealt with the Kuwaiti market for nearly two decades, but also the opportunities. Kuwait is a fascinating business environment, with a particular learning curve for ambitious entrepreneurs. 

My experience - in building 4Sale from a tech startup to a pillar of Kuwaiti e-commerce - has taught me much. Here are the main lessons I have learned:

Finding top talent is tough

One of the initial hurdles I faced was sourcing high-tech talent within Kuwait, given its stringent immigration policies. It was clear that importing external expertise was not as simple as it might be elsewhere. This prompted me to adopt a pragmatic strategy - outsourcing - albeit this required meticulous consideration. I chose to outsource operations to a location where I had established connections and a semblance of control. With my personal heritage there, Egypt was the logical choice, offering a workable framework and a launchpad to build from.

Locals are key

Kuwait's business landscape is different in various ways from its GCC neighbours, such as Dubai and