Mantvydas Narusevicius may be spending more time in Dubai since his company WFDM set up offices in the UAE city last year, but from both a personal and professional point of view, his heart is still tied to Malta. As he explains, “Malta remains incredibly important to me and my family. In fact, the majority of my businesses are based on the island, so I see it is our home court. But a number of factors have meant that it has become necessary to split my time between Dubai and Malta in order for me to continue growing WFDM as a business and ensure we are improving our services on behalf of our clients.”

The largest contributing factor to WFDM’s Dubai expansion centres around its recruitment and logistics division, a cornerstone of the company since its inception in 2020. With a specialised focus on hiring foreign nationals for various local companies, this shift has provided Mantvydas the means to refine the agency’s recruitment strategies further to ensure even higher-quality hires.

“A presence in Dubai enables me to have a closer approach with potential candidates. Being here on the ground allows me to personally evaluate individuals in skill services, at driving schools, and through yard tests, ensuring a thorough look at each person we bring to Malta,” the CEO explains.

Addressing growing concerns in Malta about service personnel lacking English proficiency and essential skills, Mantvydas attributes the issue to recruitment agencies neglecting due diligence. “At WFDM, we take an extra step to recruit the very best from the regions we work in by taking a hands-on approach to talent acquisition. While I may not be Maltese, I consider Malta my home, and that's why I take my job incredibly seriously to ensure I bring the very best talent to the island.”

While WFDM initially focussed on supplying couriers for businesses like Wolt, it has seen increasing demand for skilled candidates in various sectors such as construction, mechanical services, and catering. And with increased clampdowns by the authorities on visas and renewals, the move to Dubai is a strategic decision that aligns with WFDM's expansion plans into the GCC to cater to clients in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and beyond.

Never one to be content in just one lane, Mantvydas has also been busy taking his NFC business cards brand DOUP to the next level of growth. Known for facilitating seamless contact exchange through NFC technology and smartphones, DOUP cards have gained traction with prominent brands in Malta. Now, DOUP is expanding through the launch of an end-to-end encrypted application. Beyond storing contact details, it will include chat, conference calls, lead capture, a physical card scanner, and task delegation features, enhancing professional connectivity and functionality across the board.

“We’re currently working with two amazing development companies to bring the DOUP app to life. As with most of my business ideas, they start from limitations or gaps I encounter in tools I use daily. That’s why this app is designed to tackle real needs and deliver instant benefits for professionals. Plus, we're committed to keeping the DOUP system as low cost as possible to ensure it offers great value to our clients,” he explains.

There are even more plans on the horizon with DOUP going eco-friendly with 100% recyclable plastic cards and introducing a clothing line featuring NFC technology. Products will include gym wear and lifestyle apparel with touch-chip sleeves for convenient sharing of details on the fly. The brand is also exploring a tracker product, similar to Apple’s AirTag technology but with additional features.

“This will be a game-changer. With NFC technology, kids or individuals with medical conditions, for example, can store crucial info on their person which is easily accessible with the touch of a smartphone. If a child gets lost or someone is involved in an accident, authorities can access their contact details, medical data, and much more in an instant,” Mantvydas explains, adding that there has been keen interest from Irish distributors and ongoing discussions with Dubai authorities to tailor the product for different uses.

Mantvydas has such faith in DOUP that he is planning a launch in the United States, which could propel the brand to the top 5 in the global NFC industry. “The New York Times will be featuring an article about DOUP and how it all started in Malta. This will be huge—not just for us, but for Malta too, as we want to show the world what a great businesses ecosystem Malta can offer start-ups.”

Expanding on his digital ventures, Mantvydas also established Digirilla in 2023. This one-stop digital marketing agency promises everything businesses need to thrive in today’s increasingly online world. The agency helps with AI automation and website development to social media management, PR tools, content creation, and more.

Detailing how Digirilla sets itself apart from its competitors, the CEO notes: “We take an almost scientific approach to digital marketing, basing our content and decisions on data-driven insights. What’s more, we are a very versatile and multi-national team, meaning we can better cater to clients from all over the world. We even have someone with three doctoral degrees in AI, so he will be helping us push forward on this front to deliver some highly innovative services. I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Reiterating his approach to developing business ideas rooted in gaps or inefficiencies currently in the market, Mantvydas is also continuing to expand WFDM's recruitment services by eyeing innovation in job portals and posting platforms, which he argues are often ineffective and pricey for employers.

“I believe that WFDM's strength lies in our diverse businesses and expertise,” he notes. Leveraging these diverse competencies, WFDM is currently developing its own job portal, which will link employers with top talent from around the world. “Thanks to our vast experience in applying for visas and work permits, we can also act as mediators, streamlining the entire hiring process for both employers and job candidates. We’re confident our job portal will disrupt the entire market. So, watch this space.”

Image credit: Bernard Polidano