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We're a B2B SaaS company based in London, around 28 employees, profitable, and planning to raise our first institutional round sometime early next year.
Over the last few weeks we've spoken to a few law firms and company formation consultants. Almost everyone recommends a different structure.
One firm is pushing ADGM because investors supposedly prefer English Common Law.
Another says DIFC is the obvious choice.
A third keeps insisting DMCC is enough unless we're a fintech.
Honestly, it's becoming difficult to separate genuine advice from what's simply easier for them to sell.
A few questions I'm hoping someone with recent experience can answer:
- Did you flip the parent company before fundraising or afterwards?
- Was opening the UAE bank account more difficult than incorporation itself?
- After ESR was removed, what has actually changed from a compliance perspective?
- Are investors genuinely asking for ADGM/DIFC or is that mostly consultant marketing?
- Looking back, would you choose the same jurisdiction again?
We'd rather spend more upfront if it avoids problems later with investors, banking or governance.
Would really appreciate hearing from founders, lawyers or anyone who's completed this during the last year or two.
^Might be relevant
Once you process the advice from the above three, ask lawyers for cost and execution plans. You don’t need a incorporation lawyer as much as you need a tax + exchange control lawyer to guide you.