Discover
Understand your business, expertise, market fit and the licensing questions to investigate.
The UAE Founder · Founder Launch
Find your direction. Start building your UAE business.
A personalised, 30-day working programme to shape your UAE business strategy, assess whether free zone or mainland suits your plans, and start taking meaningful commercial action. Company setup is optional.
Programme from AED 5,500Two focus modules includedCompany setup optional
Founder-led, not consultancy-led. Start with commercial direction, then choose the right licensing route. Formation support is available if needed.
Start an application ↗A different starting point
A trade licence is one part of the journey. First, understand what you need to build.
A trade licence can be an important milestone, but it doesn't automatically show you who your customers are, how to reach them or whether a free zone or mainland structure is right for the work you want to do.
Those decisions call for market understanding and a clear commercial plan. We work through them together before you commit to a licensing route. You can join the programme on its own or add a suitable company setup package.
Your licensing directionExplore free zone versus mainland suitability, then choose whether you need setup support.
Your commercial developmentWorking sessions, market priorities, customer conversations and accountability.
The programme
Thirty days of working towards something meaningful.
Every stage has a purpose, practical activities and decisions that move your business forward.
Define
Define customers, your commercial direction and a suitable free zone or mainland route to investigate.
Build
Complete your specialist focus modules and develop practical commercial tools.
Launch
Begin relevant outreach, discovery, partnership conversations or proposal preparation.
Activate
Review what you've learnt and create your next 30-day action plan.
Licensing advice comes before commitment. We assess whether free zone or mainland is appropriate during the programme, subject to activity and authority requirements. If you opt for setup, Sharika can progress an agreed free zone application in parallel. Authority and immigration processing may extend beyond 30 days.
Build your programme
Your business is different. Your programme should reflect that.
Every founder receives two core workshops, two specialist focus modules and weekly accountability. Additional modules cost AED 750 each. Choose the areas most relevant to your business.
Week 01 · Core workshopIncluded
UAE Strategy & Opportunity
A 90-minute working session to explore your proposition, customers, UAE market opportunities and recommend a free zone or mainland direction, subject to licensing checks.
YOUR OUTPUT → UAE Business Direction & Licensing Recommendation
Week 04 · Core workshopIncluded
Revenue Activation & Accountability
A 90-minute review of your commercial activity, lessons learnt and priorities, ending with a practical 30-day plan.
YOUR OUTPUT → 30-Day Founder Action Plan
Choose your focus.
Weeks 2–3 · 90 minutes per module · Choose two included modules. Each extra module costs AED 750. Extra modules are scheduled according to availability.
Optional company formation
First, choose the right route. Then consider the setup.
During Founder Launch, we assess whether a free zone or mainland business is a better fit for your intended activity, customers and operating plans. The recommended structure remains subject to licensing requirements and approvals.
You can join the programme without setting up a company. If a free zone suits your business, Sharika can help with formation. Mainland incorporation is quoted separately.
If you choose an eligible free zone package
- UAE trade licence with two business activities
- Zero to four residence visas, depending on package
- Coworking access where included in the selected setup package
- Company formation and application support
- Guidance through applicable setup and immigration steps
Optional free zone setup powered by
Programme-only enrolment excludes licensing and visas. Setup details and eligibility are agreed before proceeding.
A meaningful deliverable
One clear roadmap. Built around your business.
Throughout the programme, we'll bring our decisions, working materials and priorities into your personal UAE Founder Roadmap.
It becomes a practical reference for the work you're undertaking, the people you want to engage with and the decisions you'll make as your business develops.
Create my Founder Roadmap →The UAE Founder
Founder Roadmap
01Your UAE Business Direction
02Customers and Market Priorities
03Recommended Licensing Route & Rationale
04Two Focus Modules & Outputs
05Commercial Activity & Next 30-Day Plan
Real accountability
We don't build the business for you. We build alongside you.
Good advice becomes useful when you put it into practice. Each week, we'll agree what matters, review what you've done and use what you're learning to make better decisions.
Weekly check-ins take place in weeks two, three and four. We will agree the check-in format at the start of your programme.
Our working rhythm
Commit
Execute
Learn
Adapt
Commit
The founder owns implementation. We work together on structure, strategy, perspective and accountability.
Commercial activation
Start having the conversations that move businesses forward.
From week two, we move beyond planning. Depending on your business and its readiness, that could mean customer discovery, exploring partnerships, preparing proposals or discussing pilot opportunities.
I'll collaborate with you on the thinking and direction. You'll remain responsible for your own outreach, conversations, negotiations and sales activity.
Our aim is meaningful commercial progress, not promised outcomes. No number of customers, revenue, investment or commercial result is guaranteed. Activities must be appropriate to your legal and operational readiness.
Your commercial activity tracker
Know who to approach
Map relevant customers, stakeholders or collaborators.
Prepare your conversations
Sharpen your message and decide what you need to learn.
Take action
Begin appropriate outreach and commercial exploration.
Reflect and adjust
Capture learning and choose the next practical steps.
Is this right for you?
Built for founders who are ready to get involved.
Founder Launch could be right for you if…
- You've decided, or are close to deciding, that you want to build a business in the UAE.
- You have relevant expertise, an existing proposition or a clear direction.
- You're prepared to invest time in testing ideas and taking commercial action.
- You value practical collaboration and are open to challenging assumptions.
It might be a little early if…
- You're still deciding whether the UAE is the right place for you.
- You need someone to secure customers or generate sales on your behalf.
- You're not currently able to dedicate time to building your business.
- You're looking for a promise of revenue or a specific commercial result.
Already trading in the UAE, or not ready to form a company? Choose Programme only for AED 5,500. You can work on your strategy without buying a new licence.
Choose your pathway
Start with the programme. Add company setup if it fits.
Founder Launch is AED 5,500 on its own. You can also explore an optional free zone setup package, with zero to four visas. During the programme, we assess free zone versus mainland suitability before a licensing decision is made.
Provisional free zone visa allocation
A “No visa” package still includes a trade licence. Programme only has no licence or visa included.
Free zone prices are provisional until your activities and licensing route have been assessed. If mainland is more appropriate, incorporation is quoted separately. Any applicable VAT and payment or cancellation terms are shared before enrolment.
Questions, answered
A few things worth knowing before we get started.
What exactly is Founder Launch?
A personalised 30-day programme focused on strategy, specialist working sessions and accountability. You may take the programme alone or explore an optional company setup package. We also assess free zone versus mainland suitability.
What is included in the programme?
Two 90-minute core workshops, two 90-minute specialist focus modules, accountability check-ins in weeks two to four and your personal Founder Roadmap. Company formation is optional, not required.
Can I choose which workshops I attend?
Both core workshops are included for every founder. You also select two of the six specialist focus modules, with further modules available at AED 750 each.
Can I add a third or fourth focus module?
Yes. Two modules are included. Every additional 90-minute specialist module costs AED 750. Additional sessions are arranged according to availability.
What if I don't need a residence visa?
There are two distinct options: Programme only is AED 5,500 and does not include a company licence. The No Visa free zone package is AED 14,500 and includes company setup but no residence visa. Both include two specialist focus modules.
Can I apply for multiple visas?
Current package options cover zero to four visas. Visa availability and immigration requirements depend on the chosen package and relevant authorities.
I already have a UAE company. Can I still work with you?
Yes. Choose Programme only at AED 5,500. No additional company setup is required to take part.
Can I join from the UK or elsewhere in Europe?
The programme is intended for founders based outside the UAE as well as those already living here. We will agree the delivery format and discuss any travel or immigration steps before enrolment.
Will my licence and visas be completed within 30 days?
Not necessarily. The 30 days describe the advisory programme. Optional formation and immigration depend on the relevant authorities and may take longer.
Does this include a corporate bank account?
Bank account approval is not guaranteed and is decided independently by financial institutions. Bank account application assistance is not included as a guaranteed service.
Will you find customers or guarantee revenue?
No. We collaborate on market thinking, messaging, structure and accountability, but you remain responsible for outreach, sales and execution. Customers, revenue and other commercial outcomes aren't guaranteed.
Will you introduce me to investors or partners?
The Partnerships & Ecosystems module helps identify relevant organisations and potential relationships. Direct introductions, investment and partnerships are not guaranteed.
How much time do I need to commit?
The base programme has four 90-minute working sessions plus weekly check-ins in weeks two, three and four. You'll also need time to complete your own research and commercial actions. We agree how check-ins will work at the start of the programme.
What happens after the 30 days?
You leave with your Founder Roadmap and a practical action plan for the next month. Any support beyond the programme would be discussed separately.
Which licence or free zone is included?
No licence is included if you choose Programme only. Optional free zone packages include a licence with two activities, subject to your intended activities and authority requirements. During the programme, we consider whether free zone or mainland is more suitable before you commit. Mainland incorporation is not priced in the current selector.
When will we decide on free zone versus mainland?
During our first strategy workshop, we assess your activities, customers and operating plans to give you a recommended free zone or mainland route with a rationale. It remains subject to confirmation of the relevant authority requirements, not a guarantee of licence approval. If mainland is the right route, incorporation would be quoted separately.
What are the payment and refund terms?
Any applicable VAT, payment options and cancellation or refund terms will be explained before you make a payment.
Is this for founders still deciding whether to relocate?
Founder Launch is designed for those committed, or nearly committed, to building in the UAE. We help assess the appropriate company structure, but it is not primarily a relocation decision-making programme.
What happens when I apply?
Tell us about your business and experience using the form below. We'll review whether the programme is a suitable fit. We will contact suitable applicants about the next steps.
Your next step
Your business deserves more than a licence. Start building with a clear plan.
If you're ready to get involved, tell me about your experience and what you're working towards. We'll use that information to assess how Founder Launch might support your next steps.
Apply for Founder Launch
An application is an enquiry, not a payment or a guarantee of acceptance. Fields marked * are required.
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We will review your enquiry and contact you if the programme is a suitable fit. If you need to reach us, email [email protected].