The company self.space, founded by Mitia Muravev and Peter Bondarenko, has secured the top position as the best company run by Russian-speaking entrepreneurs in the UAE in a joint World Arabia ranking with the Telegram channel dzch_club. The self.space project is an innovative initiative that combines artificial intelligence and privacy-focused design to transform the self-portrait experience. When we launched self.space in the Middle East, we weren’t chasing a trend.
We were responding to a human need. One that kept showing up, whether we were working with government entities, global brands, or just talking to strangers over dinner: people want to feel beautiful, but they don’t always feel safe trying. So, we built a self-portrait studio powered by AI.
No photographer. Full privacy. No awkward small talk about where to look or how to pose.
Just you, in your own space, with cinematic light, editorial framing, and an AI model that retouches your skin the way a good night’s sleep would — not a Photoshop intern. You are in control of how you look, how you feel, and how much of yourself you want to share. The real idea of self.space came from Dubai.
From the Middle East. From the women who told us they love photos but hate being photographed. From the young guys who secretly want to feel cool but not vain.
From the officials who said this would solve a real problem for their guests. We didn’t pitch this. We prototyped it at events.
We bootstrapped it. We watched people’s faces when they saw their portraits. And we knew — this is not a photo booth.
It is a mirror that lets you see what you didn’t know was there. People don’t come to self.space for a portrait. They come to feel something they didn’t expect: confident, curious, even proud.
That is psychology. And we built the entire thing around that moment. Now we are working with the Dubai Municipality, Dubai Media Office, ENOC, Commercial Bank of Dubai, major forums, and private clients across the region.
We have served tens of thousands. The biggest lesson? Nothing works in Dubai without people.
Invest in your network. Build trust. Play the long game.
And if someone offers you coffee — say yes. That is where it starts.