April 2026
HEADSUP LAUNCHES EARLY IN THE UAE, PROVIDING MARKET INTELLIGENCE AS THE F&B INDUSTRY FACES GROWING PRESSURE
Company launches in the UAE free of charge, supporting F&B operators to better navigate rising costs
Dubai, UAE, April 2026 - HeadsUp, a cutting edge technology company providing procurement and pricing intelligence to the food and beverage industry, has launched in the United Arab Emirates, making its platforms available free of charge in response to mounting cost and supply chain pressures.
HeadsUp solves a long-standing gap in the industry, with thousands of suppliers and products in the market but no market-wide visibility on where pricing should be. By combining real purchasing data with the power of artificial intelligence, the platforms show operators how their costs compare across the UAE - giving them a clear view of where they can source, what they should be paying, and what they can do if costs need to come down, while reducing time spent on manual tracking.
With the geopolitical uncertainty, rising costs and supply chain pressure, access to reliable, real-time pricing insight is becoming critical to maintaining profitable operational control. In response, HeadsUp accelerated its entry into the UAE, providing immediate access for operators at a time when cost visibility and procurement agility are essential.
With its launch in the UAE, HeadsUp is making its platforms Pepper, designed for independent and SME operators, and Benchmarket, built for enterprise groups, fully accessible to all operators at no cost, removing barriers to entry when operators need support the most.
“This wasn’t the timing we had planned,” said Sven Tietz, Co-Founder and CEO at HeadsUp. “But as the situation evolved, it became clear how much pressure the industry is under and we had the tools to help operators better understand and manage their costs today.”
He added: “It’s a vote of confidence in the future of the industry in the UAE, and a decision to show up and support the market during one of its most difficult times. We’re carrying the cost of making the platform available because we believe in the leadership of the UAE, in the F&B industry and in the resourcefulness and staying power of its people. When the current situation passes, the industry has a bright and exciting future ahead which we’re looking forward to being an integral part of.”
While the platform will move to a commercial model in the future, HeadsUp’s immediate focus is on supporting the UAE market and building a foundation of shared intelligence across the industry, at a time when greater cost visibility and control are critical.
The platform is already trusted in South Africa, where it is being used by F&B operators purchasing at scale across the market. Insights from real-world usage have informed the technology’s development, ensuring it supports the practical realities of procurement and cost management.
HeadsUp enables operators to easily and instantly compare pricing across suppliers and categories, enabling them to identify inconsistencies, optimize purchasing decisions, and protect margins in an increasingly difficult and complex operating environment. As more operators engage with the platform, the underlying intelligence continues to evolve, contributing to a more transparent and informed food and beverage ecosystem.
— END —
Notes to editor:
About HeadsUp:
HeadsUp is a cutting edge technology company providing procurement and pricing intelligence to the food and beverage industry.
Combining the integrity of on-the-ground transactional data and the power of artificial intelligence, HeadsUp’s technology provides operators with market-wide insight on where to source, what to pay, and what to do if costs need to come down.
Designed for both independent operators (through Pepper) and enterprise groups (through Benchmarket), HeadsUp supports efficient and profitable operations through better-informed decision-making in complex and evolving market conditions.
Website: https://helloppr.com/dubai
Press Contact:
UMAMI Comms
Artemis Saranti
artemis@umamicomms.com
+971 52 649 3670