(November 26, 2025) Dubai-based entrepreneur Sharath Shanth has built his career at the intersection of strong business fundamentals and a global educational foundation. After studying accounting and finance at the American University of Sharjah and completing the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School, he went on to establish two impactful ventures in the UAE. His first, UCWF – U Call We Fix, has become a major player in the country’s facilities management sector. He later co-founded The Blue Box, a smart retail platform transforming unattended retail through technology, data analytics, and consumer engagement. Together, his businesses reflect his commitment to creating practical, scalable solutions that deliver everyday convenience to communities.
Sharath’s family has lived in the UAE for over two generations, and the country has profoundly shaped both his personal and professional identity. “My career began in banking as a credit analyst, where I developed a strong foundation in finance, risk management, and business operations,” he tells Global Indian. Driven by a desire to build something of his own, he eventually transitioned fully into entrepreneurship.
Learning, adapting, building
Sharath’s career has been a constant pursuit of learning. He began in 2007–2008 at Dubai Bank as a credit analyst, gaining deep insight into financial systems and how businesses operate structurally. “In 2008, I launched UCWF, my first entrepreneurial venture. Building it from the ground up taught me leadership, operational efficiency, and the importance of scaling with integrity. Today, UCWF manages a large portfolio of properties, including high-rise towers, malls, and commercial developments across the UAE,” he says.
Between 2010 and 2016, he explored technology, events, and trading. These experiences expanded his exposure to digital systems, customer engagement, and global markets. During the pandemic in 2020, he co-founded The Blue Box, recognising the global shift toward contactless retail. The platform blends vending technology, data analytics, and advertising to create a smart, future-ready retail ecosystem.
While his education at the American University of Sharjah provided a solid foundation, the Harvard program widened his perspective. “Harvard Business School was a turning point. It gave me a global perspective, sharpened my strategic thinking, and influenced how I scale businesses sustainably,” he notes. Harvard program also led him to the understanding that cultural borders are often self-imposed; people are fundamentally the same, just “differently packaged.” These insights now guide how he builds teams and partnerships that merge local understanding with global best practices. “Each phase of my journey, from banking to facilities management to smart retail has strengthened my belief in adaptability, lifelong learning, and innovation,” he adds.
Retail Road: Reimagining how brands connect
The Blue Box was founded by Sharath and a group of friends who saw an opportunity amid Covid-19’s acceleration of contactless retail. It enables brands to connect directly with consumers through automation, analytics, and interactive advertising. “Technology drives everything we do,” he says.
Co-Founders of The Blue Box
Their smart vending machines use sensors and software to track consumer behaviour in real time, identifying trends, optimising product placement, and providing actionable insights to brands. Each machine features dynamic screens for targeted advertising, linking visibility with instant purchase and achieving exceptionally high ad-to-sale conversion rates. By blending retail with analytics, The Blue Box delivers convenience to consumers and intelligence to businesses, helping brands make informed decisions.
Making an Impact: Innovation with community value
The impact of Shanth’s ventures lies in innovation, efficiency, and community value. With more than 2,000 smart vending machines deployed, The Blue Box offers brands and venues real-time behavioural data while giving consumers convenient, contactless service. “Airports, malls, and other high-footfall locations use our system to enhance engagement and operational efficiency,” he says.
At UCWF – U Call We Fix, he manages over 200 major contracts, serving residential and commercial properties across the UAE. The company’s focus on professionalism, reliability, and strong client relationships has helped raise standards in the facilities management sector.Together, his ventures reflect a belief that entrepreneurship should improve lives through practical, scalable innovation. He draws inspiration from entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg and from decisive leaders such as Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin. He also finds grounding in Indian philosophy—the Upanishads and Puranas, which emphasise discipline, purpose, and resilience. “Curiosity keeps me adaptable and open; it’s the foundation of creativity and continuous growth,” he says.
Scaling ambition across borders
Sharath Shanth’s journey is driven by curiosity and a desire for continuous growth. From scaling mountains to building companies, he has learned that embracing uncertainty unlocks transformation. “I believe in blending tradition with technology, applying timeless Indian principles while building future-ready businesses. Learning is a lifelong pursuit.”
He now aims to scale across the GCC—Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. For The Blue Box, his focus is on expanding the machine network, enhancing data insights, and evolving the platform into a leading force in smart retail and experiential marketing. “Ultimately, my future plans centre on innovation, impact, and sustainable growth, while staying adaptable to new opportunities in a fast-changing world,” remarks the entrepreneur.
Beyond business
Beyond business, the entrepreneur’s love for adventure keeps him occupied. He has climbed Mount Everest, earned a third-degree black belt, is an active cyclist, and speaks seven languages that help him connect across cultures with ease. He signs off with a philosophy that defines his life: growth comes from curiosity, courage, and the willingness to step beyond comfort.
- Follow Sharath Shanth on LinkedIn
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