Startup Founders: Ready to Expand Your Business to the UAE?

June 30, 2025

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Startup Founders: Are You Ready?

The UAE–India CEPA Council, in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in India, has launched a new Start-up Series.

The launch event took place in Delhi, which involved signing the MoUs between the UICC and entrepreneurial institutions, including PRIME Meghalaya under the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (M.B.M.A.), IDEATE Lab @ OP Jindal Global University, and Jamia Hamdard.

The event drew over 100 participants from across the start-up, investment, policy, and media landscape.

The signing of Mou suggests that Indian entrepreneurs get a chance to expand their business in the UAE, a hub for innovation and expertise and technological advancement.

Who are they looking for?

The Start-up Series is open to promising Indian start-ups from any sector that show strong innovation, solid business potential, and a good fit for the UAE market.

To apply, your start-up needs to be registered in India, have a clear product or service, some market traction, and a game plan for expanding into the UAE.

Whether you’re based in a metro city or a smaller town, you’re welcome to apply, especially if your start-up aligns with the UAE’s key focus areas.

Expand to the UAE, free of cost*

The main objective of this collaboration is to choose 5 exceptional start-ups and support them with:
1. Expanding to the international market
2. Connecting them with incubators in the UAE to build partnerships
3. Strategic access to UAE-based innovation hubs
4. Free round-trip flights and hotel stay
5. Free Local transport and meal allowance

Submissions will be evaluated through a transparent 100-point framework.

From all entries, 20 startups will be shortlisted to pitch in New Delhi, and 5 final winners will receive the full package of support to expand in the UAE.

How to boost your chances of getting selected?

To boost your chances of selection, your startup should demonstrate novelty, traction, quality execution and alignment with the UAE’s priority sectors such as technology, healthcare, tourism, and renewable energy.

Moreover, as a startup, you need to demonstrate a solid plan of action to expand in UaE and a well-structured pitch deck.

The deadline for the application is 31st July 2025

Apply here: https://start-upseries.cepacouncil.com/how-to-apply/

India and UAE: Greater relations, Greater growth

India and the UAE have shared trade links through the centuries.

India has had strong formal bilateral relations with the UAE since 2015.

India is the UAE’s second-largest importer and exporter. In FY 2023–24, bilateral trade climbed to $83.64 billion, a nearly 15% jump since the implementation of the CEPA. India’s exports to the UAE were valued at $37.1 billion, while imports from the UAE were $46.5 billion.

India primarily exports gems and jewellery, petroleum products, engineering goods, electronics, and chemicals. In return, it imports key products from the UAE such as mineral fuels, precious stones, metals, and machinery.

To further boost growth, they have also promoted the use of INR and AED for cross-border transactions.

This initiative, developed under the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aims to encourage more collaboration in areas like innovation and entrepreneurship. By creating stronger links between start-up communities in both countries, it opens up practical opportunities for growth, exchange of ideas, and future partnerships.

Credit for header image: Highland India
[This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. This has been constituted based on third-party sources. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on this information.]