Set Up Your Company in
Masdar City Free Zone
100% foreign ownership, no physical office required, and a start-up package built for founders, consultants, and technology and IP-led businesses.
Al Wissam handles the full application, from your MOA to your licence, so you deal with one office, not a government counter.
100% foreign ownership, no local sponsor needed.
No physical office required at this stage.
Start-up package from AED 7,000 per year.
Why Masdar City?
Masdar City is Abu Dhabi's sustainable innovation district and a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. It combines a business-friendly free zone with a genuine technology and research ecosystem, which makes it a natural home for founders, consultants, technology companies and IP-led businesses.
A free zone built around a one-stop-shop model for licensing and government services.
A community of global organisations, research institutions and start-ups in one location.
Direct access to The Catalyst, Masdar City's start-up and acceleration ecosystem, with programmes, networking and events.
An address in a district aligned with the UAE's net-zero 2050 agenda, useful positioning for sustainability, clean-tech and ESG-facing businesses.
Masdar City Free Zone Start-up Package
For founders starting with one or two partners who do not need to trade on the ground locally, this is the lightest way into the market. No office lease. No visa commitment. A licence you can grow into later.
Masdar City Free Zone Start-up Package
- Annual package cost
- From approximately AED 7,000 per year (the minimum package that fits a standard start-up structure)
- Physical office
- Not required, no premises to rent at this stage
- Visas
- Not included in the package; can be added later
- Business activities
- Up to 2 activities on the licence
- Shareholders
- Up to 3 shareholders
- Address documentation
- Masdar City provides the facilitating lease/address documentation used to support bank account opening
- Corporate documents
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Board Resolution with general powers
- Additional powers
- Specific or additional powers can be added, typically from approximately AED 250
- Employment visa holders
- A person holding a UAE employment visa may still be a shareholder/partner in the company
- Al Wissam professional fee
- AED 1,700, in addition to the applicable Masdar City fees
All figures are indicative and subject to confirmation by the authority.
Start Now, Grow Later
You do not need to take visa or office facilities from day one. If the business later needs staff or residency visas, the structure can be upgraded by adding a Flexi Desk and a visa allocation (one visa or several, depending on the facility and package selected). This keeps your fixed costs low at the start while leaving every option open as the company develops.
Start-up & Acceleration Support: The Catalyst
Beyond the licence, Masdar City offers a start-up ecosystem worth exploring: acceleration programmes, networking, events and support initiatives. Eligibility depends on the nature of the business: technology, patent and IP elements, and commercial potential are usually the deciding factors. We recommend arranging a meeting with the Catalyst team at info@catalyst.ae to explore whether your project qualifies.
How does Masdar City compare?
See Masdar City set against a Freelance Permit, Trader Licence, and Mainland LLC, fees, set-up time, and ownership, side by side.
Start Your Masdar City Company
Tell us about your business and we will confirm your activities, fees, and timeline before you commit to anything.