Harshaal Kumaar, Founder of Consult Kumar®
The UAE is no longer just a destination; it is a global convergence point where capital, capability, and opportunity meet. For the modern entrepreneur, the Emirates represents the ultimate frontier—a land of exponential growth, world-class infrastructure, and rigorous standards. But in a landscape defined by rapid evolution and complex regulatory frameworks, the difference between a fleeting attempt and a flourishing legacy often comes down to one thing: the right foundation.
Enter Harshaal Kumaar—the man who doesn’t just open doors to the UAE, but ensures they stay open.
A Legacy Born of Transformation
Harshaal’s perspective is unique because he didn’t just study the UAE’s rise; he lived it. Born and raised in the Emirates to parents who arrived in 1975, he is a “son of the soil” who witnessed the country’s metamorphosis from a regional economy into a globally respected business powerhouse. Growing up within both the public and private education systems of the UAE, he was grounded in the region’s multicultural fabric and a work ethic that demands excellence. This deep-rooted connection provides him with an instinctive understanding of the country’s values, its laws, and its ambition.
However, his local insight is balanced by a formidable global pedigree. In the early 1990s, Harshaal’s schooling in Canada exposed him to mature Western systems where structure, governance, and long-term thinking were deeply ingrained. This international exposure continued into the early 2000s in the United Kingdom, where he earned a degree in Business Management with majors in Finance and Marketing from the University of Lincolnshire & Humberside.
His strategic thinking was further refined through early professional roles with global titans like American Express, Zurich Financial Services (Eagle Star), and Sainsbury’s UK. These experiences gave him firsthand insight into regulated environments, institutional decision-making, and large-scale operational excellence. It was here that he learned a fundamental truth: entrepreneurship is not defined solely by speed, but by credibility, compliance, and sustainability.
The Seed of an Idea: Architecting Outcomes
The seeds for what would become Consult Kumar® were sown around 2007–2008. While working in the media and marketing space, Harshaal was introduced to one of the UAE’s leading free trade zones. This exposure opened an entirely new world for him—one that went far beyond mere licensing and documentation. He began to master the nuances of free zone jurisdictions, compliance frameworks, and the operational intricacies that dictate success in the region.
Over the next decade, this learning deepened through extensive exposure across multiple UAE free zones and international roadshows spanning Asia, Europe, and North America. These global missions reinforced his conviction that the UAE is the central bridge between East and West—not merely a jurisdiction, but a platform for global convergence.
When he founded Consult Kumar® in 2010, he did so to address a critical gap he observed in the market. Many service providers focused on the “entry” stage—the quick setup—but very few focused on “endurance.”
“We don’t facilitate setups,” Harshaal explains. “We architect outcomes. Every structure we design is built for longevity, compliance, and scale.”
A Seamless Differentiator
The differentiator that Harshaal brings to the business formation landscape is the “seamlessness” of his execution. This is not a hollow marketing promise; it is the result of intimate knowledge and solid relationships with stakeholders across UAE government entities, nurtured over decades.
Harshaal acts as a committed enabler across a “bouquet of services” that form an integral chain leading to the establishment of a successful business. Whether he is advising UHNWI (Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individual) families or global enterprises, the stakes are consistently high. He has learned that in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, credibility is the most valuable currency. This often means having the discipline to say “no” to speed when it compromises structure, prioritizing systems over shortcuts and value over convenience.
The Philosophy of the Lion
Harshaal’s leadership approach is anchored in clarity, accountability, and mutual respect. He views leadership as a form of alignment—bringing together the needs of the client, the requirements of the regulator, and the capabilities of his internal teams.
His personal drive is famously captured by a quote from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum that has served as his North Star:
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle—when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
To Harshaal, this is not just poetry; it is a philosophy of survival and ambition. He believes the real predator in business is not market pressure or competition, but comfort. The moment a leader believes they have “done enough,” their relevance begins to erode. Long-term effectiveness comes from discipline, not ease. This belief is what fuels his work today and ensures that Consult Kumar® remains at the forefront of the industry.
The Future: Bridging Capital and Capability
Looking ahead, Harshaal’s vision for Consult Kumar® is to evolve beyond traditional advisory. He sees the firm becoming a platform that bridges capital, capability, and opportunity. As the UAE matures further, he is expanding into deeper advisory roles, technology-led ecosystems, and early-stage enablement.
While he embraces the future of technology and global expansion, the UAE remains his anchor. It is the land where he believes the world comes to build, experience life, and grow responsibly.
His advice for those looking to scale in the region remains consistent: “Come to the UAE with intent, not impatience. Respect the structure, governance, and compliance. Build for the long term, and the UAE gives back exponentially.”
In the fast-paced world of global business, Harshaal Kumaar is the steady hand that turns an entrepreneurial vision into a permanent, thriving fixture of the UAE’s success story. Through Consult Kumar® and his earlier ventures like Team Square Advertising, he continues to prove that when business is built with integrity and intimate local knowledge, the sky is the only limit.