'If I wanted something, I had to earn it': How Dubai entrepreneur went from Dh1 a day to Dh350 million

Dubai: Meet Jigar Sagar, a Dubai-based Indian serial entrepreneur who has founded and scaled more than 30 ventures with a combined valuation exceeding $350 million.
This is an inspiring tale of someone who developed his business acumen from a young age.

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Born and raised here in a business family, Sagar found his calling at the tender age of 8. While visiting his father’s jewellery shop in Gold Souk, he was drawn to a nearby café selling popcorn and ice cream, where customers exchanged ‘shiny’ coins and currency notes for treats.

“I realised money equals access. If I had that money, I could buy the ice cream I wanted,” Sagar, Founder of Triliv Holdings, recalled during a session at Gulf News Edufair 2025.

Earn what you want
At age 10, he wanted a fancy toy, but no free handouts were forthcoming from his father.
“If I wanted something, I had to earn it. My father gave me an opportunity in the form of a job. I got Dh1 for cleaning the shop. I grabbed it. I worked for five days because the toy cost Dh5. When I wanted more, my father gave me opportunities, not money.”

Over time, Sagar progressed from cleaning to helping with bookkeeping, making bank deposits, and even liaising with goldsmiths. His highest income came from running errands to goldsmiths when we had to resize rings for clients, who would tip him.
 “All of a sudden, I could walk away with Dh20 to Dh30 for 30 minutes of work.”

Opportunities, skills
He soon realised that the true asset in life isn’t money, but the ability to spot and act on opportunities. “What truly matters is chasing those opportunities and having the skills and knowledge to make something of them – to let money follow and chase me.”
These early lessons shaped his life motto: ‘Opportunity First, Money Follows’ – a topic he elaborated on at Gulf News Edufair 2025.

Diverse portfolio
He began his journey at Creative Zone as a Finance Manager and steadily rose to become a leader across sales, operations, and government relations – ultimately earning a minority stake in the company. In September 2024, he sold his shares to an investment fund in a multi-million-dollar deal. He now oversees a diverse portfolio of companies, including Triliv Holdings, EZMS, AppiZap, Créo, MPlatform, Ocube, and Talent Higher, among others.

University a training ground

Sharing his wealth of experience with students and parents at the exhibition, he noted that university life should be used wisely to build skills, solve real-world problems and explore entrepreneurial avenues. He stressed that university is not just a stepping stone to get a job, but a platform to create them.

“Getting a job is a what, it is a result,” he said, underscoring the importance of building a strong network during university. “My net worth is my network.”
He urged students to keep learning, developing skills and sharpening their ability to identify and act on opportunities. “The minute you do that, you no longer neede to chase money.”