The idea of starting a business at midlife is gaining acceptance across the Middle East. Women who once prioritized family or worked in traditional careers are using their experience to create businesses that are sustainable, local, and personally meaningful.
In Jordan, women like Lina Khalifeh, founder of SheFighter, are launching platforms with social impact. In the UAE, many female professionals are leaving the corporate world to start boutique consultancies, fashion labels, or wellness brands. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have seen a rise in home-based enterprises, especially in food and design.
These entrepreneurs tend to start with clear goals: financial independence, control over their time, and alignment with personal values. Many use their networks—often built over decades—to test ideas and gain early support. Government grants and incubators like Sheraa in Sharjah and Flat6Labs in Cairo offer resources for those looking to scale.
Social media and online marketplaces have also lowered barriers. Women are launching businesses without traditional storefronts, reaching customers through Instagram, WhatsApp, and local e-commerce platforms. While funding can still be a challenge, many focus on self-financed growth and long-term sustainability.
For these women, starting late is not a disadvantage. It’s an opportunity to build something that fits their life—and to bring wisdom to business in a way that younger founders may not yet be able to.
