Business networking, done different

crew is a curated club for founders in Dubai who value time, trust and tangible ROI - with a business matchmaker bringing the network to you.

Group of diverse founders in Dubai gathered around a long table in a modern industrial-style warehouse cafe, engaging in a meeting with a woman matchmaker standing and speaking to give guidance to the founders.
Group of ten smiling founders posing indoors in a cafe in Dubai on a patterned tile floor with plants hanging and a tree in the background.
Real results vs. traditional networking events

What crew delivers

Crew members don't just meet randomly. They connect more intentionally. Here's the real outcomes we have achieved in the first 6 months of running crew:

In just one crew meetup we generated AED 35,000 immediate business value along with additional long-term proposals (taking the total into six figures...)

Verified business collaborations between crew members - with over 30 collaborations so far between founders

14 podcast interviews + 8 ASMR content videos produced for crew members

Hundreds of personalised matches between founders sent to encourage collaborations & more intentional connections

Mission

Why crew exists

We believe traditional business networking is inefficient and a bit *cringe*.
Too many noisy events, irrelevant conversations, and not enough tangible outcomes.
We are on a mission to improve the ROI from business networking.

Group of diverse smiling founders in Dubai taking a selfie in a dimly lit room with exposed concrete walls.
Application only

Curated Members

To be part of the crew matching pool, founders must apply to join.

Only those who match our crew values and suitable to be matched will be approved. The crew is curated to ensure the quality of membership remains high.

Email from business matchmaker Carmen introducing two founders John and Alex for a potential business collaboration with key points on connection reasons and next steps.
Less noise, more impact

Intentional Connections

Carmen is your very own business matchmaker and will bring the network to you!

Members receive personalised matches directly that are relevant to them - including context on why they should connect.

Two female founders sitting at a table with microphones in a soundproofed podcast studio, and a photographer capturing images with a production team for an event in a separate room.
No cringe vibes

Meetups + Experiences

Weekly meetups with the crew to deepen connections with each other + meet your crew matches - we don't do cringe networking.

Other unique experiences are also offered - we have hosted podcasts, created creative content and attended industry events/conferences together.

Website dashboard showing community crew members and a post titled 'What to do first (Just 3 things!)' with user profile images and navigation menu on the left showcasing member events, member directory and other membership perks for founders in crew.
Online community platform + app to access everything

Crew Platform

We don't do noisy Whatsapp group chats.

Crew has its own platform for members to share news/updates, tips/advice specific for founders in Dubai, a searchable member directory, upload your own business events, RSVP to crew events (where you can see exactly who is attending) + other member perks.

But we are also a big believer in the power of face to face connections (and we're not about replacing that with a fancy app!).

Process

How crew actually works

Three simple steps separate you from a network that moves the needle.

Apply to join crew

To be part of the crew matching pool, founders must apply to join. Tell us who you are and what you're building.

Only those who match our crew values and are suitable to be matched will be approved.

Member onboarding

Once approved, crew offers members three different membership tiers.

Every approved member receives personalised matches that are relevant to you and your business.

You will receive an email with instructions on how to join the crew platform to access membership benefits.

Matches and crew events

Our matchmaker will send you relevant and personalised introductions via email.

We also host weekly meetups with the crew to deepen connections with each other + meet your crew matches. It's also an opportunity to connect with the crew matchmaker, who is always taking notes on what you're up to and who could be relevant future matches.

Other unique experiences are also offered over time - all found on the dedicated crew platform.

The founder who knows exactly who you need to meet

“I built crew because most networking is noisy, inefficient, and performative. Founders don’t need more events or more contacts - they need the right introductions at the right time.”

Carmen Taubman, founder of crew & business matchmaker

🔥 Facilitated hundreds of curated matches for the crew
🔥 Resulted in 30+ successful business collaborations within 6 months
🔥 Hosted 14 podcast sessions with crew members to increase visiblity
🔥 Generated six figures in business value for crew members in the pilot

Woman who is a business matchmaker with long wavy hair wearing a black blazer holding a lit matchstick and a box of matches against a dark background.
Plans

Your own Business Matchmaker
on retainer

The goal? To achieve better ROI for founders vs. traditional networking events.

Invite Only
Free


For Ecosystem players, investors & Select Founders only

For those who can provide additional value to our crew in other capacities, we offer free access to our ecosystem
Access to attend crew meetups
Access to crew platform
Custom matches (if applicable)
Connect
500
AED monthly

Instead of attending countless networking events, we bring the network to you.
Full access to the crew meetups (3-4 per month)
Full access to the crew platform
Relevant & personalised introductions are sent to you from our matchmaker
Access to join other crew events & experiences
Insider
5000
AED annually*

For founders who want to pay once and not think about it for the rest of the year.
Everything in Connect
Priority invitations to other crew events & experiences
* Equivalent to 417 AED/mth
(16% discount applied vs. monthly)
Fit check

Ready to join our crew?

Here's the founders we are looking for

Dubai based, must have an existing business

Crew is selective by design. You must have an existing business license for a product or service, and be based in Dubai.

You play the long game

Crew is built for founders who value long-term relationships over short-term wins

You respect the clock & other founders

Time is the one thing nobody gets back. You don't waste it, and you don't waste others'. That means respecting other founders' time & expertise - anything beyond a discovery call should be a paid service.

You give first

You show up ready to help, connect, and create value before you ask for anything in return.

Operate with integrity

No pushy sales, hard pitches or solely focused on lead generation

Care more about outcomes than optics

Prioritize results over appearances.

Apply

What happens next

You apply

Tell us who you are, what you're building, and what you need from your network.

We review

We assess fit against crew values and determine if you belong in our matching pool. Expect to hear back within 6-8 weeks. We may schedule a quick interview. We aim to get back to everyone regardless of application status as soon as we possibly can.

Onboarding begins

For those who are approved into crew, you will receive a separate email with instructions to join the crew platform

You join the crew!

Meet at weekly gatherings, connect via our online crew platform, collaborate on projects and watch real business outcomes happen over time.

Questions

Everything you need to know about crew.

Who should apply to join crew?

You need to be a founder with an existing business in Dubai. We look for people who value long-term relationships, respect others' time and believe in quality over quantity. If you operate with integrity and care about real outcomes, you're the kind of founder we want. We also focus on those who are serious about growing their business.

How long does approval take?

Most applications are reviewed within 4-8 weeks. We're selective because we want to maintain the quality of the network. You'll hear from us either way, and if you're approved, onboarding happens immediately. If you don't hear from us for some reason, please feel free to contact us (details below) and we'd be happy to look into your specific case.

What if I'm not in Dubai?

Crew is currently focused on founders based in Dubai. Our value comes from in-person connections and connecting people locally market If you'd like to see crew in your own city - reach out to us via the contact details below and let us know!

Why should I join crew?

Crew is designed for founders who want to be more intentional with their time and relationships. Rather than open networking or rigid event formats, crew focuses on curated introductions based on context, timing, and mutual value. The experience is built around real founder schedules, with flexible meetups, thoughtful one-to-one connections, and a high-trust environment that avoids pushy sales. Crew is outcome-focused, aiming to help founders build long-term relationships that create clarity, momentum, and meaningful business progress, while complementing other communities founders may already be part of.

What happens at a crew meetup?

Crew meetups are flexible by design. Members can drop in or leave at any time, and use the space in a way that suits their business... whether that’s meeting their crew matches, co-working, taking work calls or having focused one-to-one conversations. But we take it to the next level in crew. Introductions are made intentionally based on shared context and needs. These are not awkward networking events, but relaxed, productive sessions hosted in thoughtfully selected venues across Dubai.

Can I cancel my membership?

Yes. Monthly memberships can be cancelled anytime (you will complete the remainder of your monthly subscription). Annual memberships can only be cancelled at the end of your membership period, and no refunds are issued for the unused portion of your annual subscription.

Do you offer refunds?

Crew memberships are non-refundable. Once a paid membership is activated, you receive immediate access to a curated private network, matching infrastructure and member-only resources that cannot be undone or returned. You can cancel a monthly membership at any time to prevent future charges, but we do not offer refunds for partial periods, unused time, or unused matching credits. If you are unhappy with your experience we are more than willing to listen to your concerns and want to ensure we make things right. We're in it for the long term and treat concerns with the respect they deserve.