An article by Daniel Bryant, CTO of iyris.

In the GCC, scale-ups — SMEs that have proven their business models and are targeting rapid growth — represent only about 5 percent of all SMEs. Yet they contribute outsized value to the ecosystem, particularly when they are homegrown.

It is often assumed that once a startup secures investment and enters the scale-up phase, success is guaranteed. The reality is more complex. Scaling brings a new set of challenges, especially for companies where innovation remains central to the proposition. Balancing commercial execution with sustained innovation is a delicate process—and one that requires discipline, culture, and strategy.

Balancing R&D with market demands

As companies grow, pressure mounts to deliver products that are commercially viable while sustaining longer-term research. This requires careful project prioritisation, ensuring that teams remain motivated and resourced while still responding quickly to market signals.

Managing stakeholders

Shareholders seek returns, customers demand reliable solutions, partners expect synergy, and employees need a supportive environment. Successful scale-ups maintain balance by establishing transparent communication and understanding the priorities of each stakeholder group.

Sustaining the innovation pipeline

A scale-up’s future depends on a robust pipeline of innovation. That means balancing current projects with investment in future research. It also means cultivating a culture of innovation, where team members at all levels feel empowered to propose ideas and challenge boundaries.

Communicating innovation clearly

Even the most sophisticated technology needs a clear communications strategy to succeed commercially. Complex science must be translated into simple, actionable messages that customers can understand. Marketing and customer education become just as important as technical readiness.

Building a Culture of Innovation

Innovation thrives in environments where creativity, critical thinking, and ownership are encouraged. Teams must be technically capable but also deeply motivated by the mission. Just as important is reframing failure as an opportunity to learn, ensuring resilience across the organisation.

Investor relationships

Investors play a central role in scale-up growth. Regular updates, knowledge-sharing, and leveraging investor networks can help scale-ups gain credibility and access to opportunities. At the same time, innovation teams must remain aligned with finance, operations, sales, and leadership to ensure that technology development is fully integrated into the wider business strategy.

Conclusion

Scaling with innovation is a balancing act. For scale-ups in the GCC, success will depend on managing this balance: aligning R&D with market needs, maintaining trust with stakeholders, and sustaining a culture that keeps innovation alive as the company grows. Those that can achieve it will not just scale revenues — they will scale impact.