The Dating App Founder | 8M members | Bootstrapped startup with a team of 50+ | Co-founder & COO of Inner Circle | Follow for insights on business, leadership and relationships

I build and scale companies by raising standards, strengthening teams, and scaling execution.

I’m an entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience founding and scaling businesses. 
I’m the Co-Founder of Inner Circle, a dating app founded in 2012, which has grown to over 8 million users across 50 countries. 

As Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Marketing Officer, I sit at the intersection of leadership, hiring, execution, and growth.

Across that journey, I’ve helped build teams from 0 to more than 50 people across two continents. 
I’ve interviewed 1,000's of candidates and hired 100's of high performers, giving me a front-row seat to what separates teams that scale from those that stall. 

As companies grow, performance rarely breaks because of strategy. It breaks when clarity fades, standards slip, and execution becomes inconsistent. My perspective is practical and grounded in operating reality. High-performing companies are built by A-player teams, clear priorities, and leaders who combine ownership with humanity. 

My leadership principles are:

⟶ Disciplined execution beats complexity. 
⟶ Trust works when standards are explicit. 
⟶ Momentum comes from focus, not motion.

This account is for founders and leaders who want to build companies that perform consistently as they grow, without losing speed, accountability, or their human edge.

To collaborate with me as a creator please contact: enquiries@alecrickard.com

Michael Krayenhoff

Most founders don't have a talent problem.

They have an "overthinking" problem.

The way you frame a hard moment decides everything.
Not your skills. Not your network.

The story you tell yourself.

Every team eventually hits a wall.
A bad hire. A missed target. A product that didn't land.

What separates the ones who recover from the ones who don't?

They see the same situation differently.

Learning to code at 35 wasn't about code.
It was about proving to myself that hard things are learnable.
That discomfort isn't a stop sign. It's a starting line.

That shift changed how teams around me operate too.

When the leader treats hard problems as puzzles, not threats,
the team starts doing the same.

It's not about being positive all the time.
It's about training yourself to ask a better question.

Not "why is this happening to us?"
But "what does this make possible?"

That's the real competitive edge.
Not the strategy deck. Not the funding round.

The mind you bring into the room every morning.

Train it like a muscle.
Push it when it wants to stop.
Question the first story it tells you.

The obstacle doesn't change.
But what you do with it always depends on how you see it.

What's one moment where changing your thinking changed the outcome entirely?

Drop it below. I'd love to read it.

♻ If this was useful, repost so more founders see it
✅ Follow Michael Krayenhoff for more on building teams, leadership, and careers

Contract Slayer | Corporate Legal Advisor | TiE Dubai Board Member | Highly Rated for Common Sense

To your own good fortune, you just landed on the profile of your soon-to-be favourite lawyer. I have spent over 20 years working with businesses to make them remarkable. Corporate/commercial aspects of law can so boring, they could be weaponized as a sleep aid therefore I decided to take it upon my wire framed shoulders to change business owners' perspective about lawyers. 

I lead Crimson Legal - our clients are entrepreneurs, globetrotters, SMEs, angel investors, HNWI, UNHWI and family offices. My crack team of lawyers has an intimate understanding of the myriad ways businesses gloriously fail in the UAE. We use our experience to make owning a business, spectacular. 

Do you need help negotiating contracts that are dryer than the Arabian desert? 
Looking to make an acquisition or investment that doesn't sink like a stone? 
Want to resolve disputes before your business becomes a case study in an MBA program for how NOT to succeed? 
Need advice on corporate governance so you can be less mediocre? 

My exceedingly moderate approach, sparked with common sense and working knowledge of legal issues ensures my clients receive reasonably adequate counsel, at best.  

I am quite involved in the local business community and love to share my middling insights.  

My clients say I make a "good enough" effort at understanding their business objectives. I don't hand my clients boilerplate solutions for exorbitant fees i.e. I actually spend time reviewing, advising and drafting. I don't twist the rules too much and respond to messages during working hours. Ethics is my forte.

At the end of the day, my clients don't come to me seeking explosive success. They come wanting to prevent explosive failure! 

I can't promise you the world but I can assure your business stays right-side up so you can do what you do best - generate revenue.

Bianca Gracias

🛟 I used to draft Force Majeure clauses thinking, none of this will ever actually happen. 

20+ years I lived in this blind belief.

Now I’m living through every one of them in a single lifetime within a span of 6 years … pandemics, floods, wars, supply chain collapses… don’t tell me zombies are coming!? 🙃

Contract Slayer | Managing Partner Crimson Legal | Board Member | Highly Rated for Common Sense

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🪢 Had an initial call with a gentleman recently. Very enthusiastic, very entrepreneurial and very confident about doing big business in the UAE.
We are talking multi-million dollar turnover ambitions here.

Naturally, I asked two painfully boring questions:
💡 What exactly will the company sell?
💡 How will it monetise?

Turns out that he wanted to set up a company with no staff, no products and no services. In his words to me "this is a simple setup and it will only be to raise invoices so give me your best price." 

Ah yes! The 'invoice-only' enterprise.  A global phenomenon driven by pure optimism, a deep hatred for compliance and a sheer love for dirty funds.

The UAE does not want shell companies like this. Actually no country does. 

As lawyers, this is where it gets tricky for us. Lawyers cannot draft substance into existence. 

Lawyers cannot contractually manufacture commercial rationale and we certainly cannot sanitise a structure that exists purely to route income. 

If you add AML regulations, economic substance requirements and licensing restrictions into the mix, suddenly an 'invoice-only' company becomes a liability magnet. Especially in the UAE, where compliance is significantly tight.

Of course, somewhere out there, an agent is already typing, “Sir, no problem, we can make this happen ....fast and cheap.” And when the regulators do come knocking, perhaps he can fold all those invoices into swans and pretend they are part of his origami portfolio.

🥥 Some days, the way people talk about the UAE Golden Visa, you would think it came with a throne, tax exemption and diplomatic immunity. The PR/marketing of various agencies is not entirely wrong, it’s just… selectively enthusiastic.

So, in the spirit of responsible myth-busting, I’m going to ruthlessly pop a few golden bubbles that have been floating around lately.

🚫 MYTH 1 - A Golden Visa gives you the right to set up a business. 
The Golden Visa is a residency permit not a business license. The authority that issues you the Golden Visa is federal and very different to the authority that will ever grant you a business license which will be at Emirate level. You still need to comply with existing licensing and regulatory requirements.

🚫 MYTH 2 - Its forever!
The Golden Visa can be renewed but renewal is never automatic or guaranteed. It remains tied to eligibility criteria and documentation. Authorities have full discretion to revoke it if your activities breach UAE laws or public interest policies.

🚫 MYTH 3 - It grants you tax exemption
Lovely in theory, inaccurate in law. The UAE’s corporate tax framework applies based on business activity, not visa type. If your entity is within the taxable scope, the rules apply.

🚫 MYTH 4 - You can sponsor unlimited family members
Residency sponsorship still depends on income thresholds, proof of accommodation, valid health insurance and other documentation. A golden visa does not mean unlimited extensions.

🚫 MYTH 5 - You can stay out of the country forever
Immigration policies evolve. “Forever” is not a legal term. It’s a myth with good marketing. Residency validity will always depend on changing regulations and compliance.

The Golden Visa is an exceptional privilege granted by the UAE government but like all visas it has rules and regulations that attach to it. Do not even think of treating it like a loophole. It does not make you untouchable and definitely does not grant any sort of blanket exemption from laws.

If you live and work in UAE and have come across other golden interpretations that deserve an honourable mention, please can you share them so I can honour you instead?

♦️ If you have clients or contracting counterparties calling you, asking for changes to your contracts or asking to terminate/walk away based on Force Majeure - what should be your legal position?

Force Majeure (FM) has a very specific definition and this is usually interpreted according to what is in your contract. FM does not always allow for termination and even suspension is typically limited to gauging the extent of how much obligations are impacted. 

In a nutshell, FM is not an escape hatch for geopolitics. The law when interpreted, says "if the sky truly falls on your obligations, we will let you go... but only if it is impossible, not inconvenient."

The FM clause is rarely a direct escape hatch. Payment obligations are also typically excluded.

Notification and mitigation are mandatory. Prove you tried everything reasonable to dodge or minimise impact or even a qualifying event might not shield you from damages.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐬𝐤:
1. Do I have a contract and does this contract address FM?
2. What is the definition of FM?
3. Does FM allow for direct termination or is there a process involved?
4. Has the FM event made performance, absolutely impossible?

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭:
🔹 Audit active contracts today
🔹 Flag force majeure triggers
🔹 Document disruptions (government notices, supply blocks, facility statuses) 🔹 Notify counterparties fast if invoking
🔹 Talk before litigating; UAE courts favour practical resolutions over dramatic exits. The new Civil Transactions Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 25/2025) arrives June 1, 2026, with clearer hardship/force majeure tweaks favouring judicial flexibility, so future-proof drafts now.

Actual FM events test FM clauses in real time. 

If your deals are feeling the tremor, call your lawyer. Do not attempt to manoeuvre FM by yourself. It is not something that you can DIY. 

Always remember, in the UAE, we keep business moving forward, even when the region (or foreign entrants) have other plans. 🇦🇪 🫶 ✨

🪽 If you got hurt by debris or shrapnel (GCC situation), your insurer may not cover your medical bills. Let me explain.

The MOI and MOD are consistently posting messages, alerts and guidance about staying away and NOT taking photos of debris and shrapnel and not following this advice can have an adverse impact on you. You need to understand why!

These are the main reasons:
1. You could hurt yourself really seriously
2. You could jeopardise the security of this country by your irrational behaviour if you are not a government official, or a security or military personnel

You also need to understand that insurance policies (whether health, motor, contents etc) EXCLUDE damages caused by acts of war.

Curiosity is human but running towards debris for a social media moment (when you are instructed not to) is recklessness and insurers don't cover this.

Are you surprised?

Well you should therefore:
1.  FOLLOW THE ADVICE FROM THE GOVERNMENT; and
2. read your insurance policies

If you are interested in understanding more about how to deal with real issues like this in your business and how to tackle these, Female Fusion have taken on a wonderful initiative to help the community. Every Tuesday (weekly at 10), they will host Crimson Legal (virtually) to discuss how you can manage risks and continue to remain compliant with the laws. We will discuss any new government regulations and guidance and how best we can comply. I will post the portal in the comments section for those who want to share, ask or listen.

This is open to everybody across borders and an initiative to support the challenges you may be facing as a business leader or owner. There is no other agenda.

If you are a business leader, remember this one thing. You do not have to figure it all out alone. When people share good (and legal) knowledge openly, communities become stronger than the problems they face and right now, that kind of community matters more than ever. 

#weareuae 🇦🇪

🥇 Dubai has a new Public Safety Law effective June 2026 issued by His Highness The Ruler of Dubai.

Dubai Municipality officially becomes the officiating authority for this law, responsible for making sure everything from event crowd limits & lighting to beach swimming times to indoor ventilation obey international best practices. 

A quick summary on what the law sets out for non-lawyers:

🚫 Don’t tamper with manholes, drains or garbage bins. They are not escape rooms

🚫 Don’t set off fireworks, handle flammable stuff or build your own chemistry lab unless you really enjoy paperwork and massive fines (up to AED 2 million)

🚫 Venues must have firefighting equipment, alarms, exits, emergency plans and trained safety supervisors, so you can actually evacuate instead of getting lost

🚫 Beaches now will have 'permitted swimming times'

🚫 Every product meant for humans must come with instructions in Arabic and English so you understand what you are getting yourself into. Unsafe or non-compliant products cannot be sold or used, which really makes me wonder what instructions producers will add onto fireworks?

🚫 If you own or operate a building, pool or service business, you are responsible for maintaining safety standards. Dubai Municipality cannot be blamed if you ignore them

🚫 The public has duties: follow guidance in public spaces, respect safety supervisors and do not enter restricted or staff-only areas

🚫 The law also gives you the right to appeal decisions within 10 working days because laws always give you an opportunity to show face

In summary: Dubai wants to keep you safe, even if sometimes you may forget to do it yourself.

🌴 You ask and we answer!

Tomorrow Female Fusion will host Crimson Legal at 10am to answer ANY questions that any business owner may have on how to manage issues they may be encountering in their business in the current climate. You are welcome to join without condition, across boundaries.

We are welcoming any business leader (CEO, CFO, CHRO etc) and any business owner to come with their legal questions and Crimson Legal will answer questions, the best we can.

The goal is to help identify how best businesses can deal with any unexpected issues they are facing and to help to comply with the laws with minimal hurt to your business.

If we can help you, we will. We are in this together!!

Registration is mandatory. Link below.

Thank you Jen Blandos for this initiative to support the community. 

- with Amna Altaf and Beth Q.  

https://lnkd.in/dChYwwir

Live q&a with Crimson Legal

🌸 For what felt like the longest time, people asked if AI would replace lawyers. 

The question usually arrived with a slightly sympathetic smile. The kind people use when they believe your profession is about to be replaced. 

This has always amused lawyers because we know the deep, silent truth.

Experience has taught lawyers something that non-lawyers never realised.

Whether you are getting married, getting divorced, buying a business, selling one, fighting over one or politely planning your eventual departure from this planet… you will still need a lawyer.

Technology may evolve.

Regulations will definitely multiply.

Human nature, however, remains gloriously consistent.

And that, inconveniently for futurists everywhere, tends to keep lawyers employed. Not AI. Lawyers.

The question you need to start asking is - given the state of affairs, what is the future and fate of AI?

🍋 Its a tricky time to manoeuver from a contract perspective.

Parties with little or no good faith spot every crack and widen it for their own advantage. I am beginning to see little baby patterns.

The usual suspects are:

🔸 using business days as calendar days or vice versa whichever version magically buys extra time

🔸 delaying services by stretching force majeure excuses

🔸 refusing payments under the same banner even when the core obligation never disappeared

🔸 claiming force majeure for general market disruptions or material cost spikes without proving the event actually made performance impossible

🔸 pushing mid contract price hikes or extensions of time citing approval delays or abnormal conditions when the agreement contains zero escalation mechanism

In my twenty plus years steering commercial deals across the UAE I have learned one iron rule - ambiguity in contracts is an engraved invitation to exactly this kind of gamesmanship. This is why precision in contract wording matters. For times of need and implementation!!

If you are entering into contracts now, here are some preventative / mitigative tips:

☑️ spell every term with surgical precision. Define business day. List the exact force majeure events. State the notice period in days not weeks

☑️ write in mandatory mitigation steps and proof requirements. No selective memory or assumptions should be allowed

☑️ add clear adaptation clauses now. The new Civil Transactions Law lands in June and hands courts wider powers to rebalance extreme hardship so draft today as if that tool already exists

☑️ document every conversation every email every site instruction as though an arbitrator will read it next month

☑️ and engage experienced legal counsel the moment the first red flag waves. A two hour review today beats a two year arbitration or a forever-litigation, tomorrow.

Somebody wise once said, "The foundations you lay in tricky times are the ones that stand longest."

taplio

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