Abu Dhabi boasts first-class infrastructure and unparalleled global connectivity, making it a premier international destination. Its exceptional qualities make it an ideal location to live, work, and conduct business.
A financial centre that provides transparency, efficiency, and integrity, through its progressive frameworks, future focused infrastructure, all within a familiar independent legal jurisdiction – ADGM is the perfect platform for success.
ADGM, the centre for a transparent and thriving sustainable finance ecosystem.
Our community of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors can depend on ADGM to provide timely news and reliable insights.
At ADGM, we offer various support options, including contact details, FAQs, enquiry forms, and a whistleblowing form.
Gain access to a strong regional economy and be a part of a vibrant tech ecosystem, Hub71, based in ADGM.
Through Hub71, global startups can gain access to capital, market opportunities, longer-term visas and a highly skilled talent pool.
ADGM offers competitive Tech startup licences that enables entrepreneurs to grow and rapidly scale their businesses within an award-winning, internationally recognised, progressive regulatory framework.
Please note : before you apply for tech start up licence you must first apply for the eligibility letter from Hub71. Applications without this letter as of July 2024 will not be accepted.
To apply for this approval letter please click here.
ADGM's Tech Startup License enables entrepreneurs to set up in the UAE quickly and easily. The licence is categorized in two stages; seed and emergent.
The ADGM Tech Startup Licence is not available for technology service providers.
Startups can also apply to the Hub71 Incentive Program which provides up to 100% subsidies on housing, office space and health insurance for up to 25 employees, for up to three years.
Startup stages, criteria and incentive benefits
| Seed | Emergent | ||
| Stage of maturity | Number of FTEs* | 1 - 10 | 11 - 50 |
| Year since first registration in UAE | Does not exceed three (3) years | Does not exceed five (5) years | |
| Incentive packages | Incentivised licence fee | USD 1,000 P.A. | USD 4,300 P.A. |
| Duration of incentive | 2 Years | 3 Years | |
| Office space requirements | 1 Desk space+ in an incubator / co-working space domiciled in ADGM | 1 Desk space+ in an incubator / co-working space domiciled in ADGM | |
| Visa eligibility | 3 Visas for every desk space | 3 Visas for every desk space |
* FTEs: Full time employees + Dedicated office or desk is required.
Eligibility for the incentivised licence is determined at the time of application and the duration is fixed. eg if a startup is approved for the seed stage incentivised licence, it will have two years in seed stage and will automatically move into the emergent stage in its third year of operations in ADGM regardless of the number of full time employees.
Who should apply?
Tech Startup Licence benefits
Startups are encouraged to meet with a member of the ADGM team to discuss their business plans and to get guidance on the necessary documentation before completing and submitting the application online.
Download and review the FAQs for further details. If your application is approved, you will receive an email with the next steps for completing your application.
For enquiries on setting up your Tech Startup, email us at techstartup@adgm.com
Fees for registration and incorporation are in US dollars. The registration fees to establish a tech startup business in ADGM are as follows.
Startups are required to maintain an ADGM office address (see FAQs for details).
Startups are required to prepare a brief business plan using ADGM business plan guidelines or using their own format. This business plan will be submitted along with the online application for Category B - business activities.
Startups can apply online for the ADGM Tech Startup Licence. A Hub71 approval letter, office space lease* and other documentation and the initial annual licence fee* are required along with your application. *Please refer to the Tech Startup Licence FAQs for full requirements. To apply for the Hub 71 approval letter please visit the ADGM/Hub71 Tech Licence Eligibility Form.
ADGM will review the application and advise via email if further information is required.
Once the evaluation is completed, applicants will be informed via email whether their application is successful.
Once approved, the process of registration and incorporation is completed by the ADGM Registrar and the licence is issued. Applicants will receive email confirmation of issuance of licence and can commence operations.
For further questions on Resolution for Incorporation, visit our FAQs
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