Programmatic Digital Out Of Home
Overview
Expanding a startup in Dubai is no small feat, especially in the fast-growing digital advertising ecosystem of the GCC. Makan Ads, an innovative AI-powered DOOH (Digital Out-of-Home) advertising platform, partnered with Fivepm Agency to transform its idea into a scalable business and secure its entry into Dubai’s competitive market.
The vision was bold: to become the first unified programmatic DOOH platform in MENA, integrating DSP, SSP, CMS, and AI analytics into one ecosystem. But turning this ambition into reality required more than technology, it needed a localized business model, market fit, and investor-ready strategy.
Entering Dubai’s Market Was Challenge
While Makan Ads had strong technical expertise, it lacked alignment with the realities of Dubai’s startup and advertising ecosystem.
Key challenges included:
- Market validation and adapting the value proposition to Dubai and GCC advertisers.
- Building a sustainable business and financial model.
- Developing investor-ready pitch materials.
- Setting up local operations and partnerships for traction in the UAE.
Fivepm Agency’s Role in Market Entry
As the Business Development Representative in Dubai, Fivepm Agency became the strategic partner driving Makan Ads’ regional expansion. We focused on four main areas:
1. Product Refinement & Market Localization
- Aligned product narrative with Dubai and GCC market needs.
- Highlighted advanced features: real-time bidding (RTB), AI-driven campaign planning, creative automation.
- Positioned Makan Ads as a localized AI-powered DOOH solution, not just a generic ad-tech tool.
2. Business Model & Financial Planning
- Redesigned into a hybrid SaaS + revenue-share model for UAE media owners.
- Built a comprehensive business plan and financial projection with clear growth milestones.
3. Go-To-Market Strategy for Dubai & GCC
- Targeted real estate, retail, and F&B advertisers as early adopters.
- Partnered with BackLite Media, Elevision, and Hypermedia to access premium ad networks.
- Launched a freemium onboarding model for agencies and small screen owners.
4. Partnerships, Operations & Investor Readiness
- Facilitated high-level partnership meetings with media owners and agencies.
- Managed Dubai company setup, licensing, and compliance.
- Developed an investor pitch deck and prepared Makan Ads for a $300K seed fundraising round.
From Idea to Traction in Dubai
Within months, Makan Ads achieved measurable success with Fivepm Agency’s support:
- Localized business model ready for GCC growth.
- Investor-ready financials & pitch deck.
- Partnerships with leading UAE media owners.
- First pilot campaigns and customer traction in Dubai.
- Full business operations managed in Dubai by Fivepm Agency.
Scaling Startups in Dubai with Fivepm Agency
Makan Ads’ journey shows how startups can successfully enter the Dubai and GCC markets with the right guidance. From business planning and market research to investor readiness and local representation, Fivepm Agency helped transform an idea into a thriving market-ready business.
Today, Makan Ads stands as a prime example of how our market entry framework bridges the gap between innovation and business growth.
At Fivepm Agency, we help startups register in Dubai, build GTM strategies, secure investors, and scale sustainably in the GCC.
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