Start-ups grow faster when they focus on speed and strategy

“Stay lean, be smart,” said Anisha Sagar, Head of Marketing & Communications at Meydan Free Zone, emphasising how start-ups can build efficiently from the start by keeping costs low, outsourcing where possible, and maintaining agility to enable sustainable growth.

Sagar spoke during a fireside chat on strategies for scaling businesses at Gulf News’ the UAE Growth and Investment Forum.

Drawing from her own experience of launching ventures, Sagar shared practical insights on how start-ups can manage their early stages and scale effectively.

She spoke about the UAE’s growing entrepreneurial landscape and how free zones like Meydan Free Zone are adapting quickly to support start-ups.

“Free zones like Meydan Free Zone have really understood the importance of speed. When a start-up wants to scale, they’re looking at set-ups that can get them operational in no time,” she said.

Her key advice was to embrace digital-first thinking. “The winning recipe is to look at something you can scale digitally. Set up digitally. Don’t immediately build everything in-house. Outsource and stay lean.”

 According to Sagar, year one is all about discipline. “In the first year, don’t fall into the trap of overhiring or overspending,” she warned.

 “Look at your process flows and what you can outsource. Even something as basic as laptops. If you’re a FinTech start-up with 50-60 people, don’t tie up capital in inventory. Rent it.”

 She highlighted that financial control is vital and it starts with hiring the right person.

 “I’ve learned the hard way. In my earlier ventures, we made those classic mistakes. But in subsequent start-ups, we grew leaner and smarter. We outsourced, we controlled inventory, and most importantly we hired the right CFO. The CFO is a make-or-break hire. If your CFO says stop spending, stop."

While agility is essential, Sagar said that compliance is not optional.

 “Agility is critical, but compliance is absolutely non-negotiable. Many start-ups scale not just because of VC funding, but because their legal and regulatory frameworks are solid and digital-first.”

 Another factor that plays a crucial role, according to her, is building the right team and partnerships.

 “The team you build internally, and the advisors you lean on externally, will define your growth journey. Start-ups don’t have the luxury of big consultancy budgets as a founder, so your staff, CFO, legal advisor, and head of operations become your core team. Choose wisely,” advised Sagar.

 Long-term success, she said, comes down to flexibility and structure.

 “Long-term planning for a start-up is less about fixed roadmaps and more about agility. You will make mistakes. The key is to pivot quickly and that comes from having a lean framework.”

 Sagar recommended breaking down larger ambitions into smaller, actionable targets.

 “Have a three-year goal, but break it into one-year objectives and 90-day sprints. If you want to run a long marathon, you need to stay fit and be a well-oiled machine.”

 Her final advice? Don’t stop experimenting. “Start-ups are meant to experiment. You will fail and that’s a given. But every failure opens the door to something new. That’s where real growth happens.”