Avela Global founder Gary Young brings decades of sourcing, product development and international business experience to the GCC.
For Gary Young, founder and CEO of Avela Global, successful business is about more than finding a supplier or securing a competitive price. It is about understanding an idea, identifying the right opportunities and building the relationships, systems and supply chains needed to turn that idea into reality.
That philosophy has shaped Gary’s career and the evolution of Avela Global, which has grown from its origins as an advertising business into an international product development and sourcing company serving clients across global markets.
From advertising agency to global product development company
Today, Avela Global works across product development, sourcing, manufacturing, quality control and delivery, helping companies navigate the complexities of international production. The company has established operations and relationships across the United States, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India and the Middle East.
A Different Direction
Gary’s entrepreneurial journey began long before Avela became a global sourcing business. After graduating from Kent State University, he founded Vela Productions in 1984 and later established Ad Lib, a boutique advertising agency. The two businesses were eventually combined in 1996 to form Avela Corporation.
A pivotal moment came when Gary traveled to China in the early 2000s. His experience there changed his understanding of the opportunities available through international manufacturing and prompted him to rethink the direction of his company.
Rather than simply providing advertising and branding services, Gary began exploring how Avela could help existing clients source products and services from China.
Avela Global connects ideas with global manufacturing capabilities
The strategy quickly gained traction. Avela subsequently developed a specialized role connecting Western businesses with manufacturing capabilities in Asia, eventually building a network that would support product sourcing, OEM opportunities and more complex product development projects.
Beyond Traditional Sourcing
Today, Avela Global positions itself as more than a traditional sourcing intermediary.
Its approach covers the journey from concept through production and delivery, with an emphasis on understanding the client’s objectives before identifying manufacturing solutions. The company says its services include product development, sourcing, quality assurance, production management and supply-chain support.
More than two decades of international sourcing expertise
For businesses entering unfamiliar markets, this type of end-to-end support can help address some of the challenges associated with international manufacturing, including supplier selection, communication, quality control, compliance and logistics.
Avela’s model also places importance on having people on the ground. According to the company, local representatives and English-speaking teams help clients communicate effectively with suppliers while maintaining visibility throughout the production process.
A Growing GCC Opportunity
The Middle East is increasingly important to Avela Global’s international strategy, with Dubai emerging as a strategic hub for the company’s regional activities.
Avela opened its Dubai operation in 2025, adding a Middle East presence to its established international network. The move reflects the growing importance of the GCC as a market for entrepreneurship, product development, investment and international business relationships.
Dubai is becoming an important hub for Avela’s expansion
For Gary, the opportunity extends beyond conventional product trading. His stated focus in the region includes developing relationships with businesses and entrepreneurs that are looking to transform ideas into commercially viable products.
This approach is also reflected through Ideas Made Real, a GCC-focused initiative supporting young entrepreneurs through mentoring, product development and practical execution. Avela Global provides product-development and manufacturing expertise to help participants move from concepts toward prototypes and market-ready products.
Technology, Innovation and Leadership
Gary has also been vocal about the changing role of technology in business. At the CXO 2.0 Conference in Dubai, he discussed how artificial intelligence can support agility, empower teams and improve decision-making.
For a company operating across multiple countries and supply chains, the ability to use technology to improve communication, research, product development and decision-making is increasingly significant.
However, Gary’s approach continues to place relationships at the center of the business. Avela describes transparency, accountability and long-term collaboration as important elements of its operating philosophy.
Building the Next Chapter
Gary Gary’s journey demonstrates how an established business can evolve when its leadership recognizes a new opportunity and is willing to change direction.
From advertising and branding to international sourcing and product development, Avela Global has continued to adapt its business model to changing market requirements.
With Dubai now part of its international footprint, the company is positioned to strengthen its engagement with businesses and entrepreneurs across the GCC while continuing to connect clients with global manufacturing and product-development capabilities.
For Gary, the underlying principle remains straightforward: ideas have value, but their real potential is realized when they are supported by the right expertise, relationships, execution and access to global resources.
That philosophy now sits at the heart of Avela Global’s next stage of growth.
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