There is a significant tendency to be changing the world entrepreneurship – ultra-rich founders are emigrating to the United Arab Emirates. The most recent billionaire CEO to do this is Revolut final start-up CEO Nik Storonsky who formally shifted verbally to the UAE in October 2024 in earliest Companies House submissions. It will be coincident with a trend of exerting the changing tax regulations in Europe, as people with high net-worth relocate to the stable tax-favorable and innovation-focused environment of the UAE. This relocation by Storonsky shows how the UAE has become a technological, investment, and upscale lifestyle center in the world. Check Here for Latest UAE News.
Why the World’s Top Founders Are Choosing the UAE Over Europe
The UAE is a good place to be because of its economic predictability, stability of its regulations and high quality of life. Companies such as Nik Storonsky are attracted to what the area boasts of – of open taxation practices to a progressive business environment.
Key Factor
Europe (London/UK)
UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi)
Tax Policy
Complex, shifting tax laws; UK removed non-dom tax rule
No personal income tax; clear, low-tax framework
Business Ecosystem
Slower licensing, heavy regulation
Fast-track startup licensing, fintech-friendly
Regulatory Climate
Frequent changes (Brexit, ESG mandates)
Predictable and pro-business
Quality of Life
High costs, safety concerns
Safe, modern cities with world-class infrastructure
Access to Markets
Primarily Western markets
Gateway to Asia, Africa, and Middle East
A Magnet for Global Innovation and Investment
Storonsky is not simply moving to a different place in the personal world, but it is also a shift in strategy of the richest businessmen off the planet. The investor-friendliness and the global strategy of the UAE has brought such world tech giants as Binance, Stripe Middle East, and recently Revolut. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are positioning themselves as fintech capitals in the world with founders receiving a simple licensing and government support that competitors such as London or Frankfurt would never provide authorization of financial centres.
Vision 2031 supports this development as the goal of the UAE is innovation, digital transformation, and sustainability, which are one of the essential values of global business.
A Broader Trend Among Global Founders
The relocation by Nik Storonsky is based on other previous billionaire capital transfer cases of Nassef Sawiris, Christian Angermayer and the Livingstone brothers; these are clear indications of a massive transfer of billionaire capital to the UAE. This migration has been enhanced by the elimination of the non-dom regime and the increase in taxes as experienced in the UK. Conversely, UAE offers regulatory stability, international network and unbeaten benefits in the lifestyle- Ricknesses which has become more valued by international businesspeople.Dubai and Abu Dhabi are always ranked among the world’s most preferred cities as further evidenced by their unequivocal world-class education as well as healthcare to safety and infrastructure. It is this exodus of drivers that positions the UAE as the innovation, high-tech vision global destination of choice.