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Paris Norriss
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Upside pitch competition: an idea at the meeting point of TV and AI

By Paris Norriss··Pitch competition
Upside pitch competition

The event

This was a pitch, not a keynote. In May 2026, Paris Norriss walked into a Shark Tank-style pitch competition at Upside in Dubai, put a new business idea in front of a room of experts and let them decide. He won.

Paris thanked Ziina, Letswork, Galawesh Wyatt, Ukiyo Branding, Virtuzone and Club Ocha for the winners’ prize.

The idea

Paris says he has had a billion-dollar idea three times in his life, and ignored the first two. They were good ideas, but they didn’t align with where he was going, what he stood for, or the decade of work he had been quietly building. He doesn’t regret letting them pass.

The third was different. It sits squarely at the intersection of entertainment production and AI, everything he has spent the last ten years building towards. Paris has not yet revealed the details.

Why it matters

For the first time, Paris wrote, he didn’t have to choose between a big, lucrative opportunity and his purpose: they were the same thing. Purpose sits at the heart of The Grit Code, and this was a case of turning down two big ideas to stay on a path he was passionate about, then being ready when the right one came along.

About The Grit Code keynote

The Grit Code is built on real stories from extreme environments. Paris rowed 4,800km across the Pacific Ocean in 2023 with the Brothers N Oars crew, a row that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation. He also ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, in Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.

From those experiences he draws practical lessons on purpose, vision, limiting beliefs, adapting a plan and keeping a clear head under pressure. He has delivered the keynote for audiences including the UN Tourism General Assembly, TEDx Amman, COP28, Expo 2020, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Durlston Partners in London and Surfbreak in Honolulu. Every talk starts with a briefing call, so the stories connect to your theme, your industry and the challenges your people are facing right now.

“For the first time, I didn’t have to choose between a big lucrative opportunity and my purpose. They were the same thing.”
— Paris Norriss on LinkedIn

Gallery

Upside pitch competition – photo 2Upside pitch competition – photo 3Upside pitch competition – photo 4Upside pitch competition – photo 5

Want Paris for your own conference or leadership event? Read more about The Grit Code, see more past speaking events or send an enquiry.

Speaking in Dubai

Keynote speaker in Dubai · Keynote speaker in the UAE · All keynote speaker locations

About the speaker

Who Paris is

Paris Norriss is a keynote speaker on grit and mindset and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. He ran 7 marathons on 7 continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, and in 2023 he rowed 4,800 km across the Pacific with three teammates, raising more than £150,000 for marine conservation.

His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries, and Guy in Dubai has 22 million views. Past speaking clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.

Why this matters for organisers

Proof behind the story

Every appearance, interview and talk on this page sits in the same body of work: expeditions that can be checked, television that reached 123 countries, and a business he runs as CEO. Organisers who want The Grit Code keynote can book a 45–60 minute session, a virtual version, or a Grit Deconstruction workshop of 90 minutes to half a day.

Paris also hosts as MC, including as a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, and has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh.

Book Paris

Next steps for your event

Share the date, format and audience, and Paris will reply with a short outline. He holds a briefing call before each booking so the examples match the room. He presents as an adventurer and as CEO of Blazing Sand Studios, not as a theorist.

He is an ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel, and an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.

More context

Credentials and formats

Paris is a regular host of AI Talks by Founders, has hosted at the Dakar Rally in Qiddiya and at the UN Tourism meeting in Riyadh, and was a brand ambassador for Land Rover Middle East, TAG Heuer Middle East, The Capital Club, Paramount Hotel and Rove Hotel. He is an ambassador for the charity Gulf for Good.

Bookings can include the keynote alone, the keynote plus workshop, or hosting as MC. He grew up at Longleat, studied at Edinburgh University, lived in Muscat from 2009 to 2012, and has spent 17 years in the Gulf.

FAQ

Common questions

Who is Paris Norriss?

A keynote speaker on grit and mindset, adventurer and CEO of Blazing Sand Studios. His TV shows have been distributed in 123 countries.

What is The Grit Code?

His main keynote on grit and resilience, built on the 7 marathons on 7 continents and the 2023 Pacific row.

Can Paris speak at our event?

Yes. He speaks at conferences and company events worldwide, in person or virtually.

Is a workshop available?

Yes. The Grit Deconstruction workshop runs from 90 minutes to half a day.

Who has Paris spoken for?

Past clients include Nokia, DHL, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Expo 2020, COP28 and the UN Tourism General Assembly.

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