One of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai is now home to nearly 200 nationalities and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Dubai is a future-driven, pro-business destination and world leader in financial services, technology, logistics, and research and development.
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DUBAI GLOBAL RANKING for business*
#1
In MENA for ease
of doing business
#1
Globally for exports
of commercial services
#1
Globally for trade
to GDP ratio
#1
In MENA for startup
funding
#3
Globally for foreign
direct investment
#5
Best city in
the world
The venture capital environment in Dubai is flourishing. Dubai is home to one-third of all Middle East and North Africa (MENA) investors, with tech investments proving the most popular avenue of investment. Other potential sources of finance include growth-stage funding, angel investors and venture capital firms.
1/3
of MENA investors are
based in Dubai
232
Venture capital funds and
venture capitalists
$1.2 Billion **
Total funding across
155 transactions
DIFC is the leading international financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. We are a rich ecosystem of 30,000 professionals working across nearly 4000 active companies including the world’s top banks, asset managers, insurers, professional services firms as well as 500+ tech firms – all of whom benefit from the centre’s independent English common law legal & regulatory framework, inspiring architecture and lifestyle, and enabling support services. DIFC is the region’s top ecosystem for Venture Capital firms seeking to access the market, offering a range of support mechanisms.
DIFC: An active venture capital ecosystem
- DIFC provides the perfect environment for venture capitalists to establish a presence in Dubai and invest in cutting-edge technologies and businesses.
- Join other venture and individual investors who are accessing deal flow from Dubai as well as from our Innovation hub, which hosts 500+ tech firms and is the largest innovation ecosystem in the region.
- Investors can access our AED 1 billion Future District Fund. Established in 2020, the Fund aims to attract top global and regional capital in order to accelerate the digitization of the region’s economies.
THE SIMPLEST AND FASTEST WAY TO ESTABLISH A VC FIRM IN DIFC
ZERO fees***
For the DIFC ROC
commercial license
60% subsidy on regulatory fees
Waivers
- No internal audit
- No finance officer
- No investment committee
ZERO
Regulatory capital
25% discount on visas
Fast and automated process
1 week turnaround****
*Source: World Bank, IMD, MAGNiTT, fDi Intelligence and Resonance
** Source MAGNiTT, State of Startup Funding – 2022 Emerging Venture Markets Report
***For the first 2 years
****Post application acceptance
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