Located in the heart of Dubai, DIFC is the MEASA region’s leading financial hub. It is home to leading growth companies and designed to empower investors and innovators alike.

DIFC offers outstanding opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs, including access to the Dubai Future District Fund, with the mandate to increase start-up funding and attract venture capital funds to Dubai.

The Centre is home to the DIFC Innovation Hub, the largest start-up ecosystem in the region. The hub is an integral part of the leadership’s strategy for economic growth: a thriving ecosystem of stakeholders, from start-ups to venture builders, financial institutions, and corporate innovation labs.

By bringing diverse stakeholders together through co-working space and a regular events calendar, including Blockchain Week, Talent Week and the AI Festival, the DIFC has built an environment for knowledge-sharing, inspiration and collaboration.

The DIFC Innovation Licence is a Commercial Licence with a subsidised fee structure open to all technology and innovation start-ups.

Innovators from all sectors can access the Innovation Licence, which comes with subsidised commercial licensing options and co-working space.

The DIFC Innovation Licence is offered to a wider ecosystem of technology enablers, catering to Technology/Innovation firms interested in developing or testing new, novel or innovative products.

Get in touch with DIFC today via bdfintech@difc.ae

The Licence is subsidised for a period of 2 years. At a rate of USD 1,500 per annum. Starting from the third year, the subsidised rate will depend on your number of FTEs. If it exceeds 10 FTEs, then the rate is USD 12,000 per annum.

DIFC also offers specialized packages for Indian start-ups, with Innovation Licences offered at USD 400 per annum and co-working spaces at USD 2,000 per annum.

Yes, physical presence is mandatory in the DIFC. The minimum requirement for the DIFC Innovation Licence is 1 flexi-desk (USD 500+vat).

No, the DIFC client on-boarding system is fully digital, and the process is done online.

The process comes in two stages:

1. The first stage is to obtain the In-Principle Approval from the Registration Review Committee, which can take around 5-7 working days.

2. Once you have been granted the In-Principle Approval you will be given access to second stage which is the setup of the legal entity in the DIFC. This process can take up to a day to a few days to complete as it requires you to complete the steps needed (Articles of Association, obtaining a lease, paying the fees etc.).

Once that is done you will be able to submit for the Commercial Licence to be issued. Please note that the second stage is dependent on how fast you can finish the process.

On the first flexi desk, you would have the eligibility to apply for up to 4 visas. All visa related queries can be addressed to gs.helpdesk@difc.ae.

No, there are no capital requirements for entities under the DIFC Innovation Licence.

Yes, other fees include office space, visa costs, the Data Protection and Confirmation Statement.

The DIFC Innovation Licence is only applicable to those conducting un-regulated activities. For further information on conducting financial services, please visit the following links: www.dfsa.ae / www.dfsa.ae/Innovation.

Once the entity is registered and the Commercial Licence is issued, you may begin the process of opening a bank account. The bank account opening remains at the discretion of the bank’s policies and requirements.

Yes, you can once the entity is incorporated. The process can be done via the portal. There is no fee associated with this service. Page 27 of the following Corporate Actions: Client Handbook, provides information on the process.