Nicholas Watson
Visiting Lecturer
Research Interests
Nicholas Watson's teaching interests span entrepreneurship education with emphasis on practical, hands-on learning over theoretical frameworks. His approach centers on problem-first thinking, customer discovery, and rapid validation skills essential for launching AI-driven ventures. Drawing from direct experience building and scaling a mobility technology company in the Middle East, he focuses on helping students transition from academic mindsets to genuine entrepreneurial thinking.
His teaching emphasizes real-world application: conducting customer interviews, building minimum viable products, and pitching to investors. He is particularly interested in how emerging entrepreneurs can leverage AI tools throughout the startup journeyófrom market research to prototype development – and how vulnerability and authentic failure stories create more impactful learning than polished case studies.
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Prior to joining MBZUAI, Nicholas Watson co-founded Udrive, the GCC's first profitable car-sharing platform, now operating 1,500+ vehicles across the UAE. He helped build the region's mobility technology leader from startup to scale, navigating significant challenges including near-company loss during COVID before successfully rebuilding. With more than 20 years of experience across India, Africa, the Middle East, and the United States, he specializes in scaling technology businesses at the intersection of mobility, fintech, and AI. He has led multinational teams through rapid transformation and built ground-up operations across emerging markets. Watson graduated with a B.Sc (First Class Honors) in Vizualisation (Computer Animation and Games Programming) in the UK and has resided in the UAE for 23 years.
- Bachelor of Science in Vizualisation in Computer Animation and Games Programming from Teeside University.