The Story

Why IRIS

A kayak gliding through calm mangrove water
The problem

Great experiences are hard to find, trust and share

Fragmented

Good finds are scattered across social media, group chats and word of mouth.

Unverified

It is hard to tell a genuine hidden gem from a paid post, and details are often out of date.

Alone

Many people want to try something new but have no one to go with, and independent venues struggle to reach them.

What we believe

Curated, not crowded

Every place meets a clear standard and is checked before it goes live.

Merit only

Venues never pay to be listed, and anything sponsored is clearly labelled.

Shared by members

Members add plans and tips, so trusted, first-hand knowledge keeps growing.

The founder

Founded in Abu Dhabi

IRIS began with a simple wish: to discover places beyond the obvious, share them with people who would love them too, and experience them together. IRIS is the platform its founder wanted to find, built in Abu Dhabi for everyone curious about life beyond the usual.

"Everything in a human being should be beautiful: one's face, one's clothes, one's soul, and one's thoughts."

Anton Chekhov

Opening spring 2027.

Join the waitlist