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Insights

Our team is dedicated to finding solutions to every challenge. That is the THINC way.

Share Sale vs Asset Sale

Why a seller or buyer prefers share sale vs asset sale is crucial to making informed decisions in an M&A deal. Introduction Merger and acquisition

Some founders race ahead without a roadmap. Others move slowly but miss the moment. But which are the founders who win? In this video, I unpack startup archetypes and share real-world examples—Spanx and Kitopi —that prove a phased approach can still lead to billion-dollar outcomes. If you’re scaling fast or pacing slow, this one’s for you.
Are you a Hare or a Tortoise? Startup business Persona
If you’ve been watching the markets and wondering whether your investment portfolio missed the memo — yes, it did. Gold has recently surged past $3,800 per ounce (AED 475 per gram), and silver is hovering around $42 (AED 170), both breaking records not seen since 2011 and investor expectations alike marking one of the strongest years for precious metals in recent history. This isn’t a speculative bubble—it’s a reflection of deep-rooted economic, geopolitical, and structural shifts. Gold thrives in uncertain times. It’s been humanity’s go-to asset from ancient temples to modern vaults; gold has always been the fallback when fiat currencies falter, empires wobble, and central banks get twitchy. With persistent inflation, slowing growth, and fears of stagflation, investors are turning to gold as a hedge against eroding purchasing power. Why? Because: • It doesn’t rust, rot, or default. Unlike stocks or bonds, gold is a physical asset. • It’s universally accepted. • It’s nobody’s liability. Gold doesn’t rely on any issuer or institution. • Gold has preserved wealth through wars, recessions, and currency collapses. In 2025, these qualities are more relevant than ever. Central banks globally have also purchased over1,000 tonnes of gold this year, diversifying away from the U.S. dollar. This institutional demand provides a strong foundation for price appreciation. Gold’s rise is driven by a confluence of certain global factors: 1. Economic Uncertainty and Inflation 2. Geopolitical Tensions And what is feeling this golden fire? China, India, Turkey, and Poland have collectively bought over 900 tonnes of gold this year alone. Why? Because they’re hedging against: • Dollar debasement • Geopolitical instability • Sanction risks The U.S. dollar has been on a slow slide, thanks to budget deficits and rate cut expectations. A weaker dollar makes gold cheaper for non-U.S. buyers, boosting demand.
Gold's Rise in 2025: And Why It's Outshining Every Portfolio
The Ryder Cup isn’t just a tournament. It’s a legal battlefield. Behind the swings and scorecards lies a complex web of billion-dollar contracts, geopolitical sponsorships, and data ownership disputes. From DP World’s strategic positioning to AI-generated content rights, the legal layers of this event are as competitive as the players themselves. Three invisible battlegrounds define the Ryder Cup: ◦ Commercial influence and global sponsorship strategy ◦ Player rights, federation politics, and cross-tour disputes ◦ IP, branding, and the legal future of sports data So next time you watch a putt drop, ask yourself: who owns the moment? Watch the full breakdown for insights that go far beyond the fairway.
The Ryder Tournament is a Battleground
I've recently been in Dubai Eye 103.8 and had briefly talked about dating scams but wanted to talk more about it in-depth with you. Overview of the Emerging Scam Patterns 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 & 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀: A common scam involves someone matching with you on Bumble or Tinder, or any other dating app, inviting you to a high-end restaurant or club. Individuals (often posing as romantic interests) lure victims to upscale venues, once there, they order excessively, sometimes with accomplices (waiters or staff), and leave abruptly, forcing the victim to pay bills ranging from AED 10,000-AED 25,000. These scams often feel friendly and flirtatious at first, but are premeditated setups. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺𝘀: Victims are emotionally groomed over weeks or months by scammers posing as wealthy professionals, military officers, or entrepreneurs (by using stolen photos, fake names, and fabricated backstories). They fabricate emergencies and request money transfers. One elderly European woman lost AED 12 million to a scammer who pretended to be a Dubai-based businessman. 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗙𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀: Scammers use stolen photos, fake bios, and newly created Instagram accounts to lure victims. They avoid videocalls, meetings, or sharing real-time selfies. Often, they love bomb early—excessive compliments, emotional declarations—to build trust quickly. 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗔𝗘 Cybercrime Laws on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes (Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021): Criminalises online impersonation, identity theft, and fraudulent digital activity. Penalties include imprisonment and fines ranging from AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000. Deportation is possible for expatriates convicted of such crimes. Victims can file complaints through: 1. Dubai Police eCrime Portal 2. My Safe Society App 3. MoI (Ministry of Interior) App 4. Aman Service (Abu Dhabi If the scam involves loss over AED 100,000, victims can file a report with the Financial Intelligence Department (FID) and/or use the Fraud Incident Reporting (FIR) form. Victims can file a civil claim for financial loss and emotional distress. Courts may award damages if fraud is proven. Example: Abu Dhabi court awarded AED 7,000 for material and moral damages in an online scam. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 (Identity Theft & Impersonation): Creating fake profiles or impersonating someone online is punishable by Imprisonment up to 5 years and Fines up to AED 2 million. Even if the scammer disappears, their digital footprint doesn’t. With the right legal and forensic support, victims can build a strong case. Many scammers operate outside the UAE, using Dubai’s reputation to lure victims. UAE authorities collaborate with Interpol and foreign cybercrime units to track and extradite offenders. Victims can benefit from international asset tracing and mutual legal assistance treaties.
Dating At Your Own Risk
Brown M&Ms. Not a diva demand — a life-saving compliance test. Today’s topic is the clauses that look ridiculous on their face… and the real reasons lawyers let them live in contracts.” Most listeners know the story: Van Halen’s tour rider required a bowl of M&Ms — but with no brown ones. Sound petty? David Lee Roth and the band used that line item as a spot check: if their technical rider (pages of heavy-equipment, electrical and pyrotechnic specs) had been read carefully by venue crews, minor items like candy would be handled correctly. If brown M&Ms showed up, it signalled the promoter hadn’t checked the rest — and the band had a contractual basis to insist on an inspection or even cancel for safety non-compliance. - Musician & celebrity riders — often have demands for specific brands, furniture, food, or even toilet paper brands. - “No-risky-hobby” clauses in athlete contracts — contracts commonly restrict high-risk activities (motorcycling, skydiving, hang-gliding, boxing) to protect the team’s investment and avoid lost-player risk. - Quirky showbiz clauses — anti-death clauses (actor can’t have his/her character die), “no kissing” clauses, or wardrobe/weight specs. These are negotiated tradeoffs to protect an actor’s brand or sequel value. THINC Tank’s reality check: what you can actually put in a contract Rule-of-thumb: you may write almost anything in a contract — but whether a court will enforce it is a different question. For an unusual clause to be enforceable, it generally must: - Be lawful (not require illegal conduct or an illegal result). - Be sufficiently certain/clear (so a court can interpret it). - Not be unconscionable (so one court won’t void it for gross unfairness). - If it’s damages language, must not be an impermissible penalty (many jurisdictions scrutinise “penalty” vs. “liquidated damages” clauses). So the brown-M&Ms trick works because it’s not illegal or unconscionable; it’s a demonstrable compliance check written into a rider attached to the main deal. Clever, yeah?
Brown M&Ms Compliance Test
Family disputes in business cut deeper than most. You’re not just losing a partner, you’re risking a lifelong relationship. A recent case shared by my former colleague, Greg McNab, shows how quickly trust can unravel without a strong written agreement. Two brothers. One oral promise. One written contract. The written agreement prevailed; and the fallout was personal, emotional, and costly. In family businesses, shared history doesn’t replace legal clarity. Put it in writing. Protect the relationship. More about the Ang vs Ang Case here: https://lnkd.in/dgBrs4_H Family Business Podcast with me: https://lnkd.in/d4f6AAVn
Family Times, Legal Lines: The Ang Brothers Case
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