Pakistani Entrepreneur Builds Dubai Business with Dh15,000

Jul 27, 2026

77 min

Jul 27, 2026 06:31

From a small town in Pakistan to Dubai, he built a business with Dh15,000

## From Humble Beginnings to Business Success

Ammar Akhtar, originally from a small town in Pakistan, moved to Dubai in 2007 with limited funds and no concrete business plan. Despite these challenges, he was determined to build a future in the city he believed was full of opportunities.

## The Journey to Finalrentals

Akhtar initially struggled, taking on consulting jobs while searching for a viable business model. His breakthrough came when he joined Budget Rent a Car as Chief Software Architect, where he developed an online booking system. This experience exposed him to the car rental industry and highlighted a gap in the market for small, independent operators lacking digital expertise.

## Launching Finalrentals

In December 2016, Akhtar decided to create his own platform, Finalrentals, with a modest investment of Dh32,000, leaving him with Dh15,000 for operations. He focused on low-cost strategies, avoiding loans and advertising expenses. Instead, he developed a technology-driven approach to attract customers through organic search traffic.

## Dubai's Role in Success

Akhtar credits Dubai's supportive environment for entrepreneurs as a key factor in his success. The city’s infrastructure and community of ambitious individuals provided the perfect ecosystem for his business to thrive. He advises new entrepreneurs to focus on developing real products and engaging with customers rather than seeking early investment.

## A Homegrown Entrepreneur

Today, Akhtar considers himself a product of Dubai, where he transformed from a newcomer with limited resources into a successful business owner. His story underscores the city's potential to nurture entrepreneurial talent and drive innovation.

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