Billionaire Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary joined Dubai-based entrepreneur and Founder of Tetr College of Business, Pratham Mittal for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, startup success, leadership and the future of global business. The 103-minute conversation offered unfiltered perspectives on building enduring businesses, navigating technological disruption and identifying opportunities in an increasingly competitive global economy.

The podcast marked a milestone for Dubai’s entrepreneurial and business ecosystem, as Pratham Mittal became the first Dubai-based founder to host an in-depth conversation with Kevin O’Leary. Discussing Dubai’s growing prominence as a global business hub, O’Leary remarked that “if I was given the option, I’d start a business in Dubai,” citing the city’s strategic location, international connectivity and ability to serve markets across Asia and Europe from a single base.

The conversation also touched upon Mittal’s recent meeting with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE. Recounting the interaction, Mittal shared how entrepreneurs were asked what policy changes would help them double the size of their businesses in Dubai, with the recommendations subsequently implemented within days. O’Leary described the example as “enlightened leadership”, pointing to it as a model for how governments can support entrepreneurship and economic growth.

During his unfiltered conversation with Mittal, O’Leary challenged conventional thinking around entrepreneurship, arguing that while nearly 80% of startups fail, lasting businesses are built on execution, customer demand and strong fundamentals. He also questioned the role of traditional consulting careers in preparing future founders and cautioned against the rise of “AI slop”, emphasising that technology cannot substitute for strong business fundamentals. Reflecting on entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Elon Musk, O’Leary argued that the pursuit of validation can be a distraction, emphasising that founders are judged by their ability to execute, not by how well they are liked.

The conversation also explored wealth creation, career-building and the future of work. O’Leary shared his views on what it truly means to be financially free, pointing to a portfolio of roughly $5 million invested in Treasury bills as a benchmark for financial independence. He also drew on Steve Jobs’ philosophy of separating “signal” from “noise”, sharing that the ability to focus on what truly matters often distinguishes successful entrepreneurs from everyone else.

As entrepreneurship continues to evolve alongside advances in technology and shifting global markets, the discussion offered timely insights into what it takes to build resilient, globally relevant businesses. The full conversation is available on Tetr College’s official YouTube channel.