Engine by Starling, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business created by the UK’s Starling Bank, has opened its first Middle East office in Dubai as part of its global expansion strategy.
The new office will serve as a hub to strengthen relationships with financial institutions in the UAE and across the region. Engine sees the UAE as both a strategic growth market and a launchpad for wider expansion into Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where demand for next-generation banking technology is rapidly increasing.
Local Presence and Leadership
The Dubai office will be led by Sona Raichoora, Regional Manager, who will oversee hiring of local talent across engineering, product development, and delivery roles. The move reflects Engine’s commitment to establishing a local presence to support regional banks in modernizing their technology platforms and enhancing digital customer experiences.
Global Track Record
Engine by Starling leverages the proprietary technology stack developed by Starling Bank to deliver core banking platforms to financial institutions worldwide. Its first client, Salt Bank, became Romania’s first digital-native bank in 2024 and has already captured 4% of the country’s banking market. Earlier this year, AMP Bank GO was launched in Australia, targeting small businesses, with both programmes delivered within just 12 months.
CEO Statement
Sam Everington, CEO of Engine by Starling, said:
“Opening in Dubai is a natural next step for us as we scale Engine globally. The UAE is home to one of the world’s most dynamic financial ecosystems, and by establishing a dedicated local team here, we can help banks across the region reimagine what technology can do for them.”
Strategic Importance
The Middle East expansion underlines Dubai’s growing role as a hub for financial innovation and digital transformation. By choosing Dubai as its first regional base, Engine positions itself to play a central role in helping financial institutions across the GCC adopt agile, cloud-native banking systems.
