Welcome to The People Behind the Programs, a blog series celebrating the voices, stories, and impact of the community professionals powering connection and belonging across the globe.

Today, we meet Rony Hage, the Founder of Founder Connects in Dubai, UAE. Rony has crafted a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurs, breathing life into something bigger than just networking events.

Growing up amidst Dubai's dynamic business landscape, I realized the struggles founders faced in building connections. This realization led to the inception of my passion project, Founder Connects. Let's delve into my journey in my own words.

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How It Started

When I started supporting founders in the UAE’s fast-growing ecosystem, I saw a clear gap. Talented entrepreneurs were building in isolation, struggling to find the right advice, and spending too much time trying to navigate the ecosystem instead of benefiting from it.

‍Founder Connects began with a simple intention: bring founders together in a way that feels human, warm, and genuinely useful. No stiff networking, no surface-level interactions. Real conversations, real collaboration, real support. What began as a small project grew into a committed community with recurring events, speed rooms, founder spotlights, and a space where every member has the chance to be seen and heard.

Building this community showed me how powerful it is when founders have a place to share challenges, celebrate wins, and learn from each other. Over time, my role shifted from organizer to ecosystem builder, shaping programs, partnerships, and experiences that truly help founders grow.

Today, as the founder of Founder Connects, my work revolves around one mission: bring founders closer so collaboration becomes effortless. The journey has been organic, driven by a need I experienced firsthand and a vision to create a space that lifts the entire ecosystem, one meaningful connection at a time.

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A Day in the Life

As the founder of Founder Connects, I lead a community designed to bring UAE founders together through meaningful connections, collaborative experiences, and practical support. The community blends online and in-person touchpoints, from speed rooms to founder in-person meetups, resources, and curated introductions. My role sits at the intersection of strategy, operations, and community experience.

A typical day starts with listening. I review conversations, questions, and signals from the community to understand what founders need most at that moment. Some days that means planning upcoming events, refining the flow of a Spotlight session, or coordinating with partners. Other days are focused on building out new programs, ensuring each one delivers real value and drives collaboration.

I manage content, communication, and the overall member experience, making sure everything feels coherent, warm, and genuinely helpful. I spend time reviewing onboarding journeys, improving speed room prompts, shaping the topics for monthly gatherings, and keeping our events aligned with our mission. I also oversee the operational side, from scheduling sessions to managing RSVPs and making sure every touchpoint feels smooth for members.

Part of my day is dedicated to supporting individual founders through guided introductions, advice, or connecting them with someone who can help. I also work closely with collaborators and experts who contribute to the community’s programming.

Every day is different, but the goal stays the same: create a space where founders can easily connect, collaborate, and grow.

The Tools that Power My Work

My go-to toolkit is built around simplicity, speed, and a smooth member experience. Each platform plays a specific role in keeping the community connected and the operations efficient.

‍WhatsApp is the heart of our daily interactions. It keeps everyone intact and creates an instant sense of closeness. Founders can share updates, ask questions, and jump into conversations without friction. The real-time nature of WhatsApp makes the community feel alive.

‍Airtable functions as our CMS. It helps me track members, sessions, introductions, and upcoming programming in a way that is structured yet flexible. It also supports our internal workflows, making it easier to plan events, manage attendance, and monitor engagement across the community.

For virtual speed networking, Google Meet is my go-to. Not the best for speed networking, but the smoothest without breaking the bank. Paired with our speed room structure, it creates fast, meaningful interactions without overwhelming founders with complex tech.

‍Luma is what ties the event experience together. It streamlines RSVPs, reminders, and check-ins, and gives members a clean, consistent way to join our meetups. It also makes it easier for me to manage sessions, track attendance, and maintain momentum.

Together, these tools create a lightweight ecosystem that supports everything we do: connection, collaboration, and consistency. They keep the community organized without adding barriers, allowing founders to focus on what matters most: meeting the right people and building real relationships.

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Advice for Newcomers

My biggest advice is to start small and stay close to your members. Community building is not about scale at the beginning. It is about understanding what people truly need and creating a space where they feel safe, supported, and seen. I wish I knew earlier that you do not need the perfect structure or the perfect plan. You only need the first conversation, the first gathering, and the willingness to show up consistently.

Listen more than you speak. Your members will tell you what to build if you pay attention. Every message, every question, every repeated challenge is a signal. Communities grow fastest when they are shaped around real needs, not assumptions.

Do not chase numbers. Chase depth. A small group of engaged members will create more impact than a large group that barely interacts. Focus on quality interactions, thoughtful touchpoints, and moments that make people feel valued.

Be patient. Community growth is slow at first, then suddenly fast. People join when they trust you, and that trust builds through consistency. Keep showing up even when it feels quiet.

Also, protect your energy. Community work is emotional. You hold space for many people, so make sure you have space for yourself too.

Most importantly, enjoy the process. There is a unique joy in watching relationships form, collaborations emerge, and individuals grow because of the environment you created. If you lead with intention, warmth, and generosity, your community will naturally flourish.

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💬 Let’s connect on LinkedIn — I’d love to hear from fellow community builders.

💡 The People Behind the Programs is a blog series that shines a light on the community professionals powering impactful programs around the world. Want to share your story or nominate someone doing incredible community work? Submit your spotlight here.

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