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Showcasing how Tetr students created successful businesses in Dubai
Imagine launching your very own eCommerce business in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, navigating real-world challenges, and generating revenue—all while pursuing your degree. That’s precisely what Tetr students achieved during the Dropshipping Capstone in Dubai.
Held during Term 1, this hands-on program brought the classroom to life, leveraging Dubai’s reputation as a global hub for logistics and eCommerce. It wasn’t just about theory—it was about rolling up their sleeves, diving into the market, and building businesses from scratch.
At Tetr, we believe the best way to learn is by doing, and the Dropshipping Capstone was the perfect example of this. Students worked in teams to identify products, build stores, and tackle the nitty-gritty of running a business. The beauty of dropshipping? It’s a low-capital model, which allows students to focus on research, store-building, and mastering digital marketing strategies without worrying about inventory or shipping.
The result? A journey packed with entrepreneurial grit, creativity, and lessons you can’t get from textbooks.
The journey began with a crash course in collaboration. In the first week, students assessed each other’s strengths and formed diverse, well-rounded teams. With guidance from industry experts like Ishan Suri, they learned the ins and outs of building a D2C brand—from setting up Shopify stores to creating viral Facebook ads.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Students had to tackle real-world hurdles, like opening local bank accounts and navigating business laws in a foreign country. Weekly leaderboards, gamified milestones, and competitive grants kept the energy high. The first team to hit $1,000 in sales earned a $5,000 grant, sparking fierce but friendly competition.
The program spotlighted some incredible stories of innovation and hustle:
Tafflo: A five-member team of students from diverse nationalities hit the $1,000 milestone first, winning the coveted $5,000 grant.
5 Bandar, ShipSmart, JIPSR, and SmartDrop: These teams went viral on social media, showcasing creative campaigns that resonated with their audience.
Over 100 hours of mentoring from global experts and $20,000 in Tetr funding equipped students with real-world expertise in advertising, conversions, and scaling.
As a cohort, the students generated over $137,000 in revenue and $15,000 in profits—numbers that prove the power of hands-on learning. They also explored innovative financial models, like interest-free loans tied to Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), mastering risk management in the process.
Shark Tank Finale
The program wrapped up with a Shark Tank-style event judged by industry stalwarts, including Tala, an ex-Softbank VC, Tetr Founder Pratham Mittal, and Program Director Tarun Gangwar. Students pitched their businesses to secure funding for their next ventures.
Labyrinth, a lifestyle accessories brand, won the best pitch award, earning $2,500.
Claycia, a smart glasses business, secured a $10,000 loan.
Welz Company, known for smart rings, walked away with a $5,000 loan.
This high-stakes finale was the perfect culmination of weeks of hard work and innovation.
At Tetr, we don’t just teach entrepreneurship; we live it. This isn’t just about revenue or business pitches—it’s about the transformation students undergo. They leave with invaluable skills in teamwork, marketing, financial management, and problem-solving. More importantly, they walk away with the confidence to take on the real world.
As these students head into the next phase of their journey—building D2C businesses in India—they carry with them the lessons learned in Dubai, a city that thrives on ambition and innovation.
Want to be part of this journey? Explore our programs and start building your entrepreneurial future today.
Ayush Jain has designed programs for EntryLevel, coached social entrepreneurs at StartSomeGood, and supported startups at Techstars and SPARK Deakin. Now, as Senior Learning Designer at Tetr, he brings together academic theory with real-world business.