Tell us about yourself and your background
My name is Olga Sukhanova, and I am the founder of COLABB. COLABB is a Dubai-based commercial real estate investment and creative development firm.
I started my career as a manager in commercial real estate. Over 12 years, my career trajectory grew into the role of a strategic consultant, participating in major commercial real estate transactions, including landmark deals in the Moscow City towers. These years gave me deep expertise, but also clarity. I wanted more than a successful corporate career. I wanted to build my own company — to combine business with creativity and meaning.
At the same time, I’ve always been passionate about wellness, adventure, and exploring new ideas. For me, a balance between work and self-care is essential. This, combined with an entrepreneurial spirit, has shaped my path to where I am today.
What inspired you to take the leap from corporate life into entrepreneurship?
The corporate world offers a wealth of networking opportunities and broadens your horizons, but at a certain point in life, I had to make a choice. The choice was whether to continue in the corporate world or build my own team and select my own projects and goals. For me, the answer was obvious. I wanted the freedom to pursue bold ideas. It was a leap into the unknown, but one based on strategy, planning, and faith in long-term results, not quick wins.
Tell us about your first entrepreneurial adventure, CODE.
My first entrepreneurial project in Dubai was CODE, a platform that reflected my belief that synergy and collaboration can unlock new opportunities in commercial real estate. It was a bold, ambitious, and transformative experience.
I believed in myself, in the potential of my partners and team, and together we created a project that opened new doors in the Dubai market. Today, I understand: this was an unmissable decision. It became the foundation for everything that followed.
You have recently launched your second venture, COLABB, tell us more.
After CODE, the COLABB project became a natural development in my career path. COLABB has been operating for a year now — during this time, we’ve built a solid foundation and begun working with key partners. Now, we feel an internal readiness to step into the public space. COLABB has three directions: Invest, Digital, and Interior.
Invest: strategic consulting and brokerage services for high-yield commercial real estate transactions.
Digital: storytelling, branding, and creative strategy that enhance investment value.
Interior: interior design and curation that transform properties into living investments that inspire and deliver results.
Together, they support and strengthen one another. This kind of synergy allows us to discover unconventional solutions, unlock new opportunities, and create meaningful outcomes.
What led you to founding COLABB?
I have a dream to build something meaningful that will have an impact on future generations. First, I believe in the power of synergy, where great minds can co-create, support, and empower one another. Second, this aligns with the UAE’s vision – the country is expanding into the future through innovation, culture, and sustainable development. I wanted to contribute to this vision and do so consciously.
What is your mission? OR What is the mission of COLABB?
COLABB was born from a desire to build with purpose. Our mission is simple yet profound: to create projects of the future that are shaped by people, built on trust, and driven by meaning.
We view each project as more than just a business transaction. It’s an opportunity to make a cultural and social impact, setting the direction for the future of real estate.
What makes COLABB unique to the market?
We’re not competing — we’re simply different, and now we’re making that known. Our strength lies at the intersection of disciplines. COLABB combines real estate expertise, design thinking, meaning-driven strategy, and deep market understanding. We don’t replicate — we create. Every project is bespoke, intentional, and investment-ready.
For me, culture means that a space has soul and values — it tells a story and shapes identity. Community is about people, their energy, and the collaboration that happens in the right environment. We create living ecosystems that inspire, connect, and leave a lasting imprint on cities and people’s lives.
How does the process work for investors and for clients needing office spaces?
The process is simple and transparent. We begin by introducing ourselves and establishing contact, discussing goals, expectations, and possibilities. After that, the initial work begins. We determine the key factors — the company’s license and budget. We don’t have a ready-made formula because every client is unique. Our approach is always tailored to the project to achieve the best results.
How is your approach unique and beneficial to investors?
We fill the gap between strategy and execution. In a market often driven by quick fixes, I bring a mindset of depth and long-term vision. My background in both large-scale real estate deals and creative development means I can bridge the financial logic of investors with the emotional and cultural needs of end-users. That balance is what makes projects not only profitable but also relevant and resilient.
COLABB combines investment expertise, creative strategy, and functional design to create future-forward projects that respond to the real needs of people and cities.
What has been your biggest success since launching COLABB?
For me personally, the greatest successes have been building a network of partners and clients who believe in projects with meaning. In our first year, we’ve already advised on transactions in DIFC, offered design solutions for premium offices, and begun preparations for the launch of our flagship hospitality project, LUNAR, a symbolic concept for the future inspired by the phases of the moon.
But as a founder, what I treasure most is the trust I’ve earned — seeing people choose to invest not only in real estate but also in the ideas and values behind COLABB. That is the personal validation that this journey is worth it.
What is the biggest opportunity right now in commercial real estate in DIFC?
DIFC currently offers enormous potential. In 2024, new company registrations there grew by more than 25%. Demand for office space has grown rapidly despite limited supply, and rental indexation has been maintained at around 20% per year for three years. DIFC plans to deliver approximately 150,000 square meters of new office space by 2026/27, but investor appetite is already enormous.
What is your vision for COLABB over the next 5 years?
My vision for COLABB is to grow into a recognized boutique platform in strategic real estate, design, and hospitality — with a portfolio of landmark projects across the UAE, Europe, and select international markets.
A key milestone will be launching our flagship project LUNAR, which fully embodies the COLABB philosophy: capital + culture + creativity + soul.
My focus is on quality over quantity, depth over scale. I want to build long-term partnerships with government agencies, investors, and cultural organizations, and position COLABB as a trusted name in cultural and investment-driven development. I plan to grow organically through meaningful collaborations that create projects with lasting value.
Where can readers find out more?
Your readers can connect with me on LinkedIn, where we also have a company page. They can also visit our website at www.colabb.ae.
