Startups options moving to Dubai

1. Startups options moving to Dubai
By: Abdullah Alshalabi
Co-founder of fishfishme.com
and Wamda Contributor
Date: Sep, 2013
Twitter: @A_Alshalabi

3. Question In5
What they do? Assistance with company registration, Space and plugging you in with the startup community in
Dubai
Mother Company/
Shareholders
An initiative by Dubai internet city
Office space? How much? 6-12 months for 1,000AED per month
Location (description A Boutique Villa that fits around 12-15 startups (15min away from down town Dubai)
Funding? No
Yes/no, how much? Equity? They don't take equity
Program duration? The official announced duration is 3 months,but it can go up to 12months.
Mentorship? Yes, but still not fully implemented
Networking/events? Yes, they organize events sometimes. They have a great network with almost all Tech
Companies in Dubai
Company registration? Total cost is around 1,200AED , they help and do most of the work for you
Visas up to 4 visas
Other logistics? A professional secretary from Dubai Internet City that helps with Visa and company
registrations
Accommodation/transportati
on
No
Training sessions Yes
How long the program is
running?
Less than 1 year. Startups are still flowing.
Total number of startups 10-15 startips
Best fits who? Best for startups that need helps with logistics (space and company registration). Not the best
fit for early startups that are seeking funding and coaching
How to apply? How long
process takes?
Through website, yet the best way really is to get refrenced (an introduction from someone
that knows someone that works there). If you don't know anyone, then apply online, book your
ticket to Dubai, go to their office and meet with them personally. You need to show comtiment.
Current and previous
startups
Doctorized.com, fishfishme.com, SnappApp, promomz app, travelervip.com
Website? Email? Phone? InFive.ae

5. Question SeedStartup
What they do? An international startup accelerator, fudning early stage startups to grow. Part of
Techstars global network
Mother Company/
Shareholders
Privately held
Office space? How much? Yes, Free
Location (description Dubai
Funding? Yes
Yes/no, how much? Equity? USD20,000-25,000 for 10% equity stake
Program duration? 3 months
Mentorship? Yes, access to a global network of mentors
Networking/events? Yes
Company registration? Will help with registration in Dubai or any other place the startup feel better fits
it needs. In Dubai registration might cost from 12,000 to 20,000AED depending
on the type
Visas Depends on type of company registered, no special treatment
Accommodation/transportationNo
Training sessions Training session customized for each startup needs in all fields (marketing,
business model, product market fit, legal…etc)
How long the program is
running?
3 intense and productive months
Total number of startups More than 15 startups
Best fits who? Very early stage stratups with solid technical team and global ambition
How to apply? How long
process takes?
Online by answering 43 questions on this link
http://www.f6s.com/seedstartupspring2013#programs/ajax-application
Current and previous startups Exa.io, Rasello.com, matchnurse.com
Website? Email? Phone? www.seedstartup.com/, all applicaties and inquiries should go through the
website

7. Question Silicon Oasis
What they do? Help early tech startups and entrepreneurs setup their business in Dubai through funding,
mentorship, space and other services
Mother Company/
Shareholders
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
Office space? How much? Yes, 40,000AED for 1 seat including telephone and internet (60,000AED for 2 seats, 75K for 3
seats. 85K for 4 seats and 120K for closed office). All in annual basis
Location (description 15min away from down town Dubai
Funding? Yes
Yes/no, how much? Equity? USD80,000 for 20-40% equity, depending on valuation
Program duration? Depends, 6,9 or 12months. After that Silicon Oasis will help in raising more funding from VC's
Mentorship? Yes
Networking/events? Yeah lets of networking events, investors events
Company registration? The company registration cost is included in the office space cost the 40,000AED.
Visas 1 visa per seat
Other logistics? Secretary, Accounting, Marketing, legal advise
Accommodation/transportati
on
Not at the moment. Still they will help you by recommending some good places
Training sessions Yes, pitching training,
How long the program is
running?
Around 2 years
Total number of startups four to five
Best fits who? Tech startups, scalable in Middle East, localised to the market
How to apply? How long
process takes?
Online, attach simple business plan, how much you are looking for, 2 weeks they get back.
Get a reference. For Venture funding only, you can contact dhorska@dso.ae
Current and previous
startups
Nabbesh.com , mena.searchinmena.com, 2cvs.com
Website? http://www.dsoa.ae/ or www.siliconoasisfounders.com

9. Question i360accelarator
What they do? we take your idea from concept to investor-grade prototype in 120 days, plus 120 days of post-
acceleration support and fund raising
Mother Company/ Shareholders Private company
Office space? How much? Yes, a it’s a Co-working space where each startup gets a branded desk for 2 Founder/Cofounder
Location (description The Cribb Dubai, Al Quoz Ind-1, Al Manara St. 15/A.
Funding? $24,000, 120 days 10-20%
Yes/no, how much? Equity? 10-20%
Program duration? 120 days
Mentorship? Provided internally and externally (more than 100 mentors from Silicon Valley, Asia, Australia,
Europe, UK). Also we have Executives-In-Resident (Resident Mentors)
Networking/events? Meetups, Social, Movie Nights, Sports Competitions
Company registration? Yes, they give support with admin and registration in Dubai or internationally depending on the
nature of the startup – local, regional or global.
Visas Yes provided
Other logistics? They help with finding accommodation and settling down in Dubai
Accommodation/transportation Yes provided (included)
Training sessions A lot of training sessions (business model canvas, pitching, sales and marketing, IP advisory,
financial management, digital marketing)
How long the program is running? Close to 1 year
Total number of startups Round-1 : 5 teams, Tech Backpack, at the moment 12 total, from Egypt, UK, Russia, Ukraine, 2
UAE based teams
Best fits who? Idea stage, any type of startups in any market but have to be innovative
How to apply? How long process
takes?
Application is via:
1) Innov-A-Thons (Idea Competitions at different cities Worldwide) 2) Online Pitching. Scouting
process is 3-months
Current and previous startups http://i360accelerator.com/#text-17
Website? Email? Phone? www.i360accelerator.com info@i360accelerator.com, +9714.3197645

10. Strong enough to
do it yourself

11. Question Going Solo
What they do? Nothing
Mother Company/ Shareholders You are by yourself
Office space? How much? Between 6,000AED to 12,000AED. Working in co-working coffee
shops is not a bad idea (try The Pavillion, Make, or the Hub)
Location (description Doesn't apply
Funding? Try your family and friends
Yes/no, how much? Equity? Doesn't apply
Program duration? Until you run out of money
Mentorship? If you are lucky
Networking/events? Use Meetup.com (Dubai Tech Nights is a good start)
Company registration? The regular cost, go for Free Zone license that costs 12,000AED and
registration costs 5,000AED, then you'll need to rent an office in the
Free zone probable with Dubai Internet City
Visas Each Visa costs 7,000AED if I remember correctly
Other logistics? Doesn't apply
Accommodation/transportation Cheapest accommodation will be around 3,500AED/month.
Transportation will depend, read my post here
Training sessions Nop
How long the program is running? Until you run out of money or kicked out of the country
Total number of startups Not sure how many tried it before, but not much succeeded
Best fits who? Unstoppable entrepreneurs
How to apply? How long process
takes?
Come with tourist visa and hustle
Current and previous startups www.shipandcollect.com/
Website? Email? Phone? Goodluck!

12. Share this and help other startups
make their decision
Good Luck :)