Expanding a UK property-tech business into the UAE
A UK property-technology business — real-time, AI-driven property valuations. Suzanne and her husband assumed it had to be in DIFC. We looked first at what the business actually did. This client went with IFZA, a Dubai free zone, and the company now sells its software into the UAE and the wider region.
Speak to us about your situationThe situation
Suzanne and her husband wanted to expand into the UAE. Their UK market had gone stagnant, while the UAE is full of the people who buy what they do — developers, property-management firms and fund managers. Because they sat across property and technology, they assumed DIFC was where they'd need to be.
Why they came to us
They needed help working out the right activity and structure, and wanted straight answers before committing. We had several calls with both of them while they were still in the UK.
What we recommended
We started with what the business does. At Start Business Services we check what a business actually does before we assume which zone it has to be in, because the licence has to describe the real work.
When we looked at what the business actually did, it was a software company selling to the property sector, not a regulated financial business.
DIFC licenses technology and PropTech businesses too, through its Innovation Licence. In DIFC's own words, the licence is "open to all technology and innovation firms, enabling growth at any stage". That is from DIFC's Innovation Licence page.
On paper, DIFC was a good fit for this business. The DIFC route, though, worked out at about five times the cost. Suzanne and her husband had just moved to Dubai, and IFZA suited the business both technically and financially, so IFZA is what we suggested.
This client went with IFZA, a Dubai free zone, and we set the company up there. IFZA gives its head office as Dubai Silicon Oasis on its own About page.
What each zone involves is on our pages on DIFC company formation and IFZA company formation. Two of our other case studies sit close to this one: an investor-backed business choosing between DMCC and IFZA, and a UK online ticketing business set up in IFZA.
The outcome
The company was established in IFZA, the residency visas, Emirates IDs and banking completed, and it is now how they sell their software into the UAE and the wider region.
We had an excellent experience throughout our relocation and business setup process in Dubai. From company formation and residency visas to Emirates IDs, banking support, and medical coordination, everything was handled professionally, efficiently, and with great communication throughout.
— Suzanne
Thinking about a move like this?
Tell us what the business does and where it is heading, and we will tell you whether we are the right firm.
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