Masdar City Freezone Company Setup

Masdar City Freezone is a beacon of innovation and sustainability tailored for businesses keen on renewable energy, clean technologies, and eco-friendly solutions. This dynamic ecosystem fosters growth and development with its state-of-the-art facilities and strategic location. It offers compelling benefits such as 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and access to a global network. Whether you're a startup or an established multinational, the Freezone's versatile licensing options and business-friendly environment make it an ideal choice.

At Filings.ae, our experts are dedicated to simplifying your company setup in Masdar City Freezone, guiding you through every step, from initial registration to obtaining your business license, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey towards your sustainable business vision.

Masdar City Freezone

Masdar City Freezone is a strategic business hub within Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, focused on innovation and sustainability. It's designed to be a beacon for clean technology and renewable energy companies, providing a unique ecosystem that fosters growth and development in these sectors. The freezone offers a variety of benefits to businesses.

Benefits of Starting a Company in Masdar City Freezone

The freezone provides numerous advantages for businesses, including:

• Thriving Business Community: Home to over 1,000 key-sector companies, Masdar City fosters a vibrant ecosystem conducive to business growth and innovation.
• Hub of Innovation: The free zone is a nexus for education, research & development, and technology, promoting a culture of innovation and future thinking.
• Networking and Collaboration: Tenants enjoy access to a unique business community, enhanced by regular networking events, introductions, and referrals, fostering collaboration and inspiration.
• 100% Foreign Ownership: Foreign investors can fully own businesses, ensuring full control and decision-making autonomy.
• Tax Advantages: Enjoy complete exemption from corporate and personal income taxes, minimizing your financial burdens.
• No Import Tariffs: Benefit from zero percent import tariffs, reducing costs on goods and materials.
• Capital and Profit Repatriation: The freedom to repatriate all capital and profits offers financial flexibility and security.
• Efficient Setup Process: The One-Stop-Shop services ensure a quick and hassle-free setup, allowing businesses to focus on growth.
• Access to Talent: Located near research and educational institutions, the free zone offers a pool of knowledge and talent, driving innovation.
• Cost-Effective Solutions: Offers cost-effective office spaces and dual licensing options, reducing overheads for businesses.
• Strategic Location: Serves as a gateway to local, regional, and international markets, enhancing business outreach and opportunities.
• Sustainable Tax Planning: The tax benefits contribute to a reduced tax footprint, aiding in efficient financial planning.
• R&D Partnerships: Offers professional opportunities for research and development partnerships, fostering innovation and technological advancement.

Masdar City Free Zone is not just a business location; it's a platform for companies to achieve sustainability, growth, and global reach.

Masdar City Free Zone Business Structure

Masdar City Free Zone provides a flexible and accommodating environment for various business entities, offering the following legal structures:

Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC)

• This is an independent legal entity within the free zone.
• It can have a combination of individual and corporate shareholders.
• Offers limited liability to its owners, protecting personal assets from business risks.

Branch of a Foreign or Offshore Company

• Allows existing foreign or offshore companies to establish a presence within the Masdar City Free Zone.
• The branch is legally dependent on its parent company and must conduct business within the scope set by the parent.

Branch of a UAE-based Company

• Enables UAE-based companies to expand their operations into the Masdar City Free Zone.
• Like a foreign branch, it is tied to the activities and legal identity of its parent company in the UAE.
• These structures are designed to accommodate the diverse needs of businesses.

Masdar City Freezone Business License Options

Businesses setting up in Masdar City Free Zone can select from a comprehensive range of license options tailored to accommodate various industry sectors:

• Renewable Energy: This category is for companies specializing in developing, producing, and distributing renewable energy and related technologies.
• Clean Tech & Information & Communication Tech (ICT): Ideal for businesses involved in clean technologies, IT, telecommunications, and innovative solutions
• Marketing and Events: For firms focusing on marketing services, event management, public relations, and related activities.
• Human Resources: Suitable for companies offering recruitment, training, talent management, and HR consultancy services.
• Energy: Aimed at businesses involved in the broader energy sector, including traditional and alternative energy sources, energy efficiency, and management.
• Healthcare Services: For entities providing healthcare services, medical research, biotechnology, and related fields.
• Service Providers: Covers various service-oriented businesses, from consultancy to professional services across various sectors.
• Property Development Services: Tailored for companies engaged in real estate development, management, brokerage, and related services.
• Regional HQ, Trading, and Holding Companies: Ideal for entities looking to establish their regional headquarters, trading operations, or holding structures in the free zone.
• Business Center or Data Center: For operations that offer business support services, data centre infrastructure, and related IT services.
• Oil and Gas Services: This section is dedicated to companies in the oil and gas industry, including exploration, production, support services, and related technologies.
• Retail, Food, and Beverage: Suitable for businesses in the retail sector, including food and beverage outlets, speciality stores, and consumer goods.

Business Office Space Offered by Masdar Freezone City

Masdar City caters to businesses ranging from start-ups and SMEs to multinational corporations by offering various office space solutions.

• Flexi-Desks: Ideal for startups, offering a shared workspace for flexibility and networking
• Serviced Offices: Fully-equipped offices for businesses seeking ready-to-use solutions.
• Executive Offices: Premium office spaces designed for leadership and executive teams.
• Core and Shell Units: Larger, customizable spaces suitable for SMEs and larger enterprises.
• Bespoke Commercial Space: This opportunity for large organizations to partner with Masdar City for tailor-made commercial premises,

Requirements for Company Incorporation in Masdar City Freezone:

• Proposed Company Name: Decide and submit the proposed name for your entity within Masdar City, ensuring it meets the naming guidelines.
• Legal Structure: Specify the legal structure of the proposed entity (e.g., Free Zone Limited Liability Company, Branch of a Foreign/Local Company).
• Ownership Documentation:

• For an LLC, identify the owner(s):
• If owned by a company, provide a copy of the parent company's Certificate of Incorporation.
• If owned by an individual, provide a copy of the owner's passport.
• For a branch company, a Certificate of Incorporation of the parent company is required.

• Business Activity: Clearly outline the intended business activity or activities of the proposed company in Masdar City.
• Manager’s Details: Submit the proposed company manager’s passport copy, including the visa page, along with their contact information (email, telephone, mobile, etc.).
• Application Deposit: An initial non-refundable deposit of AED 2,000 is required, which will be adjusted against the final registration fee.
• NOC and Undertaking Letter: Provide the original Arabic No Objection Certificate (NOC) and an Undertaking letter, as per Masdar City Freezone's requirements.
• Minimum Capital Requirement: A minimum capital deposit of AED 50,000 is mandated to set up a Limited Liability Company.

Masdar Freezone Company Setup Procedure

Setting up a company in Masdar City Freezone involves a structured process designed to facilitate a smooth entry for businesses into this innovative and sustainable ecosystem. Here’s an overview of the key steps:

Determine Business Activity

Begin with a clear business plan that outlines your vision, objectives, and the specific activities your company will engage in within the renewable energy and clean tech sectors.

Choose a Legal Structure

Carefully choose your entity's legal form (e.g., FZ-LLC, branch of a foreign/local company) based on your business needs, ownership structure, and long-term goals.

Company Name Reservation

Propose one or more names for your company, adhering to the UAE and Masdar City Freezone naming guidelines. Avoid names that are already in use or those that imply government affiliation.

Documentation and Application Submission

Complete the application form provided by Masdar City Freezone and gather all required documents. This includes:

• For an LLC: Owner’s/passport copy of the individual or Certificate of Incorporation if the owner is a company, along with the proposed manager’s passport copy and contact details.
• For a branch: The certificate of Incorporation of the parent company, along with a copy of the proposed manager’s passport and contact details.

Application Deposit

Pay the initial application deposit. This fee is non-refundable but will be credited towards your final registration fee upon approval.

Compliance and Legal Requirements

Provide an original Arabic No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the current sponsor (if applicable) and an Undertaking letter, following Masdar City Freezone's specific guidelines.

Review and Initial Approval

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development will review your submitted information and proposed company name and approve it. Once approved, you'll receive an email notification guiding you to the next step of the setup process.

Legal Documentation and Registration:

Upon approval, you will receive your legal documents, including the Certificate of Incorporation for LLCs or a Branch Registration Certificate for branches. Depending on your company structure, you'll also receive related documents like a Memorandum of Association.

Minimum Capital Requirement

For LLCs, deposit the required minimum capital amount, ensuring compliance with the free zone's financial requirements.

Office Space and Facilities

Select from a range of office solutions offered by Masdar City Freezone, from flexi-desks in shared spaces to custom-built offices or commercial spaces, based on your business size and needs.

Sign Legal Documents

You are required to sign the provided legal documentation. You can do this either in person at the Masdar City Free Zone’s One-Stop Shop or via a courier service.

Office Space Lease Finalization and Payment

Complete the lease agreement process and finalize any necessary payments.

License Issuance:

Upon completing the above steps, Masdar Freezone will issue your business license and certificate of registration/incorporation.

Filings.ae is here to guide you through every step of the Masdar Freezone company setup process, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey.

Streamline Masdar Freezone Company Setup with Filings.ae

Filings.ae simplifies setting up your company in the Masdar Freezone. We guide you from the start, helping with the initial steps, like submitting your business info and choosing a company name, to getting your business license. Our team ensures your documents are in order, advises on the best office spaces, and assists with legalities and paperwork. With Filings.ae, you get a straightforward path to launching your business in Masdar Freezone, so you can focus more on growing your business and less on the setup process.

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