A Journey of Innovation, Growth, and Global Impact - Thank you to our clients, partners, and supporters.

In the hot summer of 2004, Karel Zeman had an idea that changed the digital landscape in the Middle East and beyond. What started as a bold vision for multiple web portals became GO-Gulf.com, officially registered on September 18, 2004. Twenty years later, GO-Globe.com is a trusted leader in the global digital space, providing innovative solutions and excellent services to clients worldwide.

The Birth of a Vision: Pioneering  the Digital Future

Karel Zeman saw a chance to change how businesses connect with customers. He aimed to create specialized platforms for different sectors, starting with GO-Gulf.com. This platform launched a series of projects tailored to unique market needs. At the core was GO-Globe.com, an international version designed for global audiences.

One of the first significant projects was GO-Estates.com, the Middle East’s first online real estate portal. It quickly became the go-to site for property buyers, sellers, and developers. With over 8,000 properties and 900 clients, including Emaar, IFA Hotels & Resorts, and Nakheel, GO-Estates became a key player in the region’s real estate market.

Meanwhile, GO-Jobs.com connected job seekers with hiring companies, while GO-Gears.com allowed users to trade cars, boats, and planes. A standout project was GO-Bazaar.com, a classified ads platform that inspired Dubizzle, a popular marketplace in the UAE today.

Overcoming Challenges: The Power of Resilience

Like many ventures, GO-Globe faced challenges. Investors, attracted by the ambitious vision, became impatient. The digital market was new, and specialised portals were revolutionary—maybe too revolutionary. As funding dried up, investors withdrew, leaving significant debts. The company had to shut down all web portal projects.

However, challenges often lead to innovation. GO-Globe adapted by shifting to custom development services for clients needing digital solutions. By the end of 2005, GO-Gulf began offering tailored solutions, breaking even within the year. This shift helped GO-Globe not just survive but thrive. As the digital market grew beyond the Gulf region, the company rebranded to GO-Globe.com, aligning with its global ambitions.

A New Identity: Global Expansion and Unmatched Success

As GO-Globe expanded its services, it also grew its client base. The company’s reputation for quality caught the attention of many businesses. From startups to major international brands, GO-Globe became the go-to digital partner. Notable clients include:

• Royal Dutch Shell (Energy, Netherlands/UK)
• Nestlé S.A. (Food & Beverage, Switzerland)
• LG Corporation (Electronics, South Korea)
• Mitsubishi Group (Conglomerate, Japan)
• AstraZeneca PLC (Pharmaceuticals, UK/Sweden)
• Procter & Gamble (Consumer Goods, USA)
• Fujifilm Holdings (Imaging & Healthcare, Japan)
• Red Bull GmbH (Beverage, Austria)
• Network International (Payments, UAE)
• Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (Financial Services, UAE)
• Nielsen Holdings (Market Research, USA)
• Khaleej Times (Media, UAE)
• Ajman Tourism Development Department (Government, UAE)

These esteemed clients across various industries show the trust and excellence GO-Globe offers. Collaborating with global leaders like Shell, Nestlé, and LG, along with regional powerhouses like Network International and Red Bull, has cemented GO-Globe’s role as a key partner in digital success.

Looking Back, Moving Forward: 20 Years of Excellence

Celebrating 20 years of GO-Globe – A leader in global digital solutions.

As we celebrate 20 years of innovation and success, we pridefully reflect on our journey. From humble beginnings to global recognition, GO-Globe.com has come far. This achievement is thanks to the unwavering vision of our founder, Karel Zeman, and the dedicated team that brought that vision to life.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about the future. The digital world is evolving quickly, and GO-Globe is at the forefront. With a strong foundation and a commitment to ongoing innovation, we’re ready to help our clients tackle tomorrow’s challenges today.

Here’s to the next 20 years of success, growth, and innovation. Thank you to our clients, partners, and supporters for being part of this incredible journey. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible together.

Interview with Karel Zeman: From Prague to Dubai – The Journey of GO-Globe (November 2015)

What brought you to Dubai, and how did you start your business here?

It was a mix of timing, opportunity, and coincidence—like many big life changes. I studied Politology and International Relations at Charles University in Prague. When I entered our computer room, before Google existed, I realized this was what I had always sought. The Internet felt like my oyster, so before 2003, I co-founded a web application development company with a friend from the UK named Connect2Development. Years earlier, I had sent my CV to various Middle Eastern countries after working at the Czech Embassy in Kuwait and Finland. Out of the blue, a recruitment agency contacted me with an offer to be a Sales Manager for the Middle East at Dubai Internet City.

The project involved collecting data for large-scale regional developments—specifically projects over $50 million. We sold this information via subscription to interested companies.

Deciding to move was tough. Our Prague company was just taking off, working with clients like ABN Amro, DHL, and Erste Bank. After careful thought, I found a replacement for my role, wrapped up my insurance, and took the leap to Dubai.

Having travelled to over 50 countries with my father, a sea captain, I first visited Dubai in 1977. The city’s material side didn’t overwhelm me. What stood out was the contrast between Dubai Internet City's advanced infrastructure and the expertise of the professionals there. Returning to Prague wasn’t an option, and after two years of surprises, the company Contax Group I worked for was acquired by MEED. That left me at a crossroads: Should I stay or go?

So, how did you decide?

By then, my wife fully supported starting a business here. The plan was simple—continue developing web applications as we had before moving to Dubai.

Coincidentally, an investor approached us because they were interested in launching web portals. Over the next year, we launched our first real estate platform in the UAE, GO-Estates, followed by GO-Gears, GO-Bazaar, GO-Jobs, and others—each under the "GO" brand. The idea was strong, but the timing wasn’t ideal. Despite being pioneers, the internet business in the Middle East was still young. We faced limited investors, mounting debts, but gained invaluable experience.

So, you started again—but without web portals this time?

Exactly. Again, my wife gave me the confidence to start over, despite financial setbacks. This time, we returned to our core expertise—developing custom web solutions for business clients.

In 2005-2006, we began building websites independently. Within a year, we cleared our debts and turned a profit. Since then, the business has grown organically—as they say, ‘God will pay.’

What does GO-Globe do today?

We’ve grown from a three-person team to around 50 professionals, including our development centres. I registered GO-Globe.com early on, even though I initially thought GO-Gulf.com would suffice. Today, we operate in Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, Czechia, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UK, UAE, and many others.

Our core focus is custom high-end web based applications for medium and large enterprises. We build Extranets, E-commerce portals with payment gateways, Lead Management Systems, Intranets, and more. Beyond corporate identity design and SEO, we follow internationally recognized standards for optimal layouts that drive profits for our clients.

Can you name some of your most important clients?

Certainly. One of our most complex projects was for CEIBS Global, the world’s 10th largest MBA school. Since it had accumulated massive data since 1994, we focused on Information Architecture to organize content for prospective students.

Other key clients include Dun & Bradstreet, ADCB, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Shell, and several projects for the UAE Government. Notably, we developed The UAE National Cultural Encyclopedia Project, launched at GITEX 2015 by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture of the UAE.

What are your plans for the future?

We’ve just completed our Intranet product and a few other web-based solutions. Moving forward, we will focus on custom, high-quality web development—tailored to each client’s needs.

On a broader scale, we aim for regional expansion across the Middle East and Asia, particularly China and Hong Kong. We’re excited to continue evolving and delivering solutions that drive real business success.