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Performous · Dubai

Ideas.
Investment.
Execution.

Nearly three decades of creating and growing businesses, now combined with software built using AI, to turn ideas into working ventures and make established businesses run better.

Explore the ventures
1997
First business founded, in Glasgow
9
Current ventures, from Dubai to Glasgow
2018
ResDiary, which Marcus cofounded, acquired by AccorHotels
200+
People at Clicksco Group, cofounded by Marcus Cent
What we bring

Commercial experience, and the means to build it ourselves

Performous is not an agency, a software house or a fund. It is one entrepreneurial operation that can take an idea from opportunity to working business.

Commercial judgement

Spotting where money is being left on the table: a garage running on spreadsheets, a travel brand saying nothing after the booking, an exchange rate nobody checks.

Brand and marketing

Names, identities, websites and search visibility that make a new business look established from its first day.

Investment and ownership

Our own capital, committed as founders, cofounders and investors, with a stake in how each business performs.

Software built with AI

Bespoke CRMs, platforms and tools written with AI coding assistants, in days or weeks rather than the months a development team would need.

Operational execution

Systems designed around how each business actually works, so the software replaces effort rather than adding to it.

We find the opportunity, build the business, and write the software it runs on.

Current ventures

What we are building now

Each case study covers the opportunity, what was built and how it helps the business earn more, spend less or move faster.

See all case studies
How we work

Three steps, repeated across every venture

  1. 01

    Find the opportunity

    A gap in a market or a cost inside an existing business, sized with the judgement of someone who has run businesses for nearly thirty years.

  2. 02

    Build the business and its systems

    Brand, website and the operating software it needs, built quickly with AI tools and shaped around real workflows.

  3. 03

    Operate and improve

    We stay involved: watching what customers and staff do, then improving the product week by week.

Track record

Building businesses since 1997

From a Glasgow web agency in the first internet boom, through affiliate marketing, advertising technology and restaurant software, to the ventures on this site. The tools have changed. The work of turning an idea into a business has not.

See previous ventures
  • MarcatFounder
    1997
  • iBooking.comFounder
    2003
  • Affiliata and ClickspaceFounder
    2000s
  • ResDiaryCofounder
    2006 to 2018
  • DistinctMEDIAManaging director
    2008
  • Clicksco GroupCofounder and shareholder
    2010s
News and views

Notes from building with AI

What works, what doesn't, and what we are learning across the ventures.

All news and views
Questions

About Performous

What is Performous?

Performous is the venture vehicle of entrepreneur Marcus Cent, based in Dubai. It creates, operates and invests in businesses, and builds the brands and software those businesses run on.

Is Performous an investment fund?

No. Performous invests its own capital and works hands on inside the businesses it backs, as a founder, cofounder or investor. It does not manage money for outside investors.

How does Performous use AI?

Mostly to build software faster. CRMs, publishing platforms and customer portals that once needed a development team are written with AI coding tools. Some products also include AI features for staff or customers, such as the design studio at The Garage Guys, and each case study says exactly where.

Which businesses are in the portfolio?

Current ventures are BetterFXRates, Centric Homes, Cyclists.com, MagiPort, On the Spot, Powerworks Garage, The Entrepreneur Institute, The Garage Guys, Visit Network. Earlier ventures include Marcat, iBooking.com, ResDiary and Clicksco Group.

Does Performous work with other founders and businesses?

Yes, when the fit is right. We are glad to talk about new ventures, investment ideas, technology projects, or how an established business could operate more efficiently.

Where is Performous based?

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with ventures operating in the UAE, the United Kingdom and internationally online.

Have an idea, or a business that could run better?

We're always glad to talk about new ventures, investment ideas, technology, or how an existing business could operate more efficiently.

Start a conversation