Neal Patel

Founder - Blue-Sky Thinking Venture Studio, Exited Founder… now I build, scale and sell businesses.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About

I take ideas and turn them into reality. Now building multiple start ups in the MarTech, EdTech and AI space under a venture studio model, Blue-Sky Thinking . 🚀 Latest exit: Bruce Clay MENA, acquired by Incubeta (Carlyle: NASDAQ). https://fastcompanyme.com/news/global-digital-marketing-firm-incubeta-acquires-bruce-clay-to-enter-the-middle-east/

Experience

  • Founder at Blue-Sky Thinking
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

    Blue-Sky Thinking is a venture studio, building start-ups at pace and turning ideas to reality. Our current portfolio consists of: Simplify: usesimplify.co Hyper-personalised AI assistant for parents - easing the load and stress of parenting. MAKAN: usemakan.com Market place connecting underutilised spaces with creators and businesses looking for space by the hour. The Routine: theroutineskin.com First of its kind SPF made for the skin types and weather of the Middle East. OFF THE GRID: offthegrid.digital Whatsapp automation. Apparens: apparens.ai Rank in AI search. + more distributed through ESOTERIC Agency Console by ESOTERIC (https://seo.esoteric.agency) Autonomous SEO agent AudienceIQ (iq.esoteric.agency) Know your audience. Real time audience intelligence. AdPulse (ampulse.blueskythinking.ventures) Ad Creative audit, integrating real time markers and Google framework for appraisal.

  • Partner at Esoteric Agency
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

    Social creative and tech agency. Been there done that advice for all. Taking the team to exit by creating the fastest growing agency in the region, again. 🏆

  • Founder at THE ROUTINE
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

    Sports performance SPF that won’t break down* Gel texture, no white cast, extreme water resistance and matte finish. There’s no other SPF like it.

  • Board Member at MMA MENA
    Jan 2022 - Dec 2023 · 2 yrs

    Board member, shaping advertising landscape in MENA

  • Managing Director & Partner at Incubeta MENA
    Jan 2016 - Dec 2023 · 8 yrs

    Took Bruce Clay MENA from loss making startup through to one of the fastest growing agencies in the region, then oversaw the sale of the agency to Incubeta, June 2022. PR: https://www.incubeta.com/insights/incubeta-welcomes-new-acquisition-bruce-clay-mena-to-the-family/ https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/incubeta-acquires-integrated-digital-marketing-agency-bruce-clay-mena-q3ns68rb https://newdigitalage.co/agencies/1455035/ Heading up, and tasked with growing, the Middle East and Africa office. Overseeing all aspects of the agency, from Finance and HR to Operations, ensuring the agency remains at the fore in current core specialisms and continues to deliver more award winning digital work!