Flipspaces plots Gulf expansion: With USD 50 mn raised in its recent Series C round and backing from Sharjah-based CE-Invests, Mumbai-based interior design startup Flipspaces is looking to expand its footprint in the Middle East’s commercial fit-out market. The brand’s proposition is a one-stop, tech-enabled commercial interior design platform with globally consistent design, founder and CEO Kunal Sharma told EnterpriseAM in an exclusive interview.

EnterpriseAM: What makes the UAE the logical next frontier for Flipspaces?

Kunal Sharma: India and the US remain our core markets, but the UAE is pivotal to our next phase of expansion. Dubai and Abu Dhabi house headquarters for MNCs, fintech firms, and cross-border enterprises that need fast, high-quality workspace delivery across regions. The demand aligns directly with our turnkey design-build workspace model. The UAE doubles as a gateway linking India, the Middle East, and Europe, allowing us to support multi-country rollouts from a single platform.

EnterpriseAM: The UAE has a crowded design and interiors ecosystem. What is your competitive moat in such a mature market?

Kunal Sharma: Most players in the UAE are either design-centric or contractor-led. Flipspaces offers single-point accountability from design to delivery. We utilize a proprietary tech stack that integrates design, procurement, and project management under one roof. This eliminates budget overruns and delays. Unlike local firms limited to one city, our tech-led approach allows us to execute multi-city and multi-market mandates simultaneously.

EnterpriseAM: How are you approaching the GCC market? How do you see the region’s capital shaping your expansion?

Kunal Sharma: We have incorporated in Dubai and are already working on marquee mandates. Our go-to-market will combine owned operations with partnerships across developers, co-working operators, and enterprise clients. Initial focus is on the commercial offices, tech and fintech campuses, hospitality, retail, and education segments. Gulf capital brings in more than just funding. It brings regional insight, long-term capital, and access to decision-makers. We are open to strategic and sovereign investors aligned with our vision of creating a tech-led global design-build organization.

EnterpriseAM: With a revenue target of INR 10 bn by FY27, how crucial will the region be to your growth strategy?

Kunal Sharma: India currently contributes about 70-75% of our revenue. As the US and UAE scale, we expect international markets to contribute around 40% by FY27, with the GCC as a significant driver. The UAE will be run with the same unit-economics discipline that underpins our profitability in India and the US. We will balance our growth aspirations with informed cost investment decisions rather than pursuing a capital-intensive expansion.

EnterpriseAM: You have hinted at acquisitions in healthcare and education interiors. Is the UAE an organic expansion or a partnership-led entry?

Kunal Sharma: We are pursuing a build-and-buy strategy across markets, primarily evaluating specialized design-only firms and boutique design-and-build studios in the region. The idea is to integrate local design specialization with Flipspaces’ tech-integrated execution model. Acquiring a UAE-based firm is on the table if accompanied by a demonstrated body of work that complements our platform and helps accelerate our regional scale.

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