The Art of Fundraising in the UAE. Juliet Su, NewTribe Capital

With crypto-friendly regulations, visionary leadership, and a vibrant investor ecosystem, the region, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offers fertile ground for ambitious founders looking to raise capital.

If you’re a Web3 entrepreneur eyeing investment from the UAE, here’s your essential step-by-step guide to navigating the fundraising landscape:

“In the UAE, fundraising is not just about capital — it is also about community, compliance, and coffee with the right people.” — Juliet Su, NewTribe Capital

1. UNDERSTAND THE REGULATORY LANDSCAPE

Before you even start pitching, ensure your compliance foundation is solid. The UAE offers multiple regulatory jurisdictions for projects to incorporate, each with its own approach to incorporating and regulating Web3 and digital assets projects.

Familiarize yourself with the following:

• VASP laws and regulations: There are two Federal Regulators overseeing virtual assets (VA) activities in the country, the Securities and Commodities Authority and the UAE Central Bank. Additionally, Dubai has its own VA Regulator, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), and its own regulatory framework.

• Financial Free Zones and their sandboxes and accelerator programs: ADGM’s Hub71 + Digital Assets and DIFC’s Innovation Hub.

• Economic Free Zones and their community centers: Economic free zones do not just offer business setup but also access to a local community of investors, partners, and service providers. Research DMCC Crypto Centre, Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and others.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LEGAL STRUCTURE

Choosing the right legal entity is crucial—it affects compliance, investor confidence, and long-term success. Jurisdictions vary in their advantages, so work with local legal experts to decide whether an onshore, free zone, or offshore setup works best for your business and fundraising plans.

Your approach to raising capital—whether through a token sale, a combined token and equity offering, or another model—will shape your legal structure. Pure token sales require a jurisdiction that permits digital asset issuance, while equity components demand flexible share transfer capabilities.

If you are building a DAO, these structures require special consideration, as most legal systems cannot accommodate decentralized entities.

No matter your model, a thorough legal review is non-negotiable—it protects your project, your team, and your future operations. Cutting corners now often means expensive fixes later. The right legal foundation ensures legitimacy and paves the way for growth.

3. BUILD A STRONG LOCAL PRESENCE

UAE-based investors are more inclined to support companies with a meaningful local footprint.

That means:

• Establishing an office or hiring local team members with UAE residency

• Participating in local events and initiatives hosted by accelerators and free zones

Opportunities to connect with investors include:

• Solana Economic Zone

• Sui Hub Accelerator

• DMCC Pitch Days

• Pitch Storm events

• Cointelegraph events

• VC <> Startup Connect

4. CRAFT A UAE-FRIENDLY PITCH

Tailor your pitch to meet the expectations of regional investors. Focus on:

• Vision & Innovation: Highlight your big-picture impact

• Revenue Model: Demonstrate a clear path to monetization

• Compliance & Scalability: Showcase your understanding of risk management and regulatory alignment

• Traction: Emphasize partnerships or pilots, especially those with regional players

• Tokenomics: Be responsible. Avoid speculative hype and focus on long-term utility

• Sustainability: Frame your product around real-world impact and value creation

Pro tip: Warm introductions are gold. Tap into local networks through ecosystem events, legal firms, and accelerators.

5. TARGET THE RIGHT INVESTORS

The UAE offers a diverse investor landscape. Key players include:

• Government-backed funds (Mubadala, ADQ, MGX, IHC)

• Local family offices actively diversifying into digital assets

• Crypto-native VCs (Ghaf Capital, NewTribe Capital, Cypher Capital, Ceras Ventures)

• Traditional VCs expanding into Web3 (Shorooq Partners, Further Ventures, DFDF, Wamda, True Global Ventures)

6. EXPLORE GOVERNMENT AND ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT

The UAE government is actively fostering Web3 innovation. Leverage programs such as:

• Hub71+ Digital Assets (Abu Dhabi) – Offers funding, mentorship, and office space

• Cointelegraph Accelerator (Dubai) – Connects early-stage startups with the right partners

• Dubai Blockchain Center – Acts as a bridge between startups and both public and private sector stakeholders

Some free zones even provide matched funding or grants for high-potential startups.

7. BUILD THE RIGHT NETWORK

Ultimately, the UAE operates on trust and relationships. A strong, credible network is your greatest asset. Surround yourself with reputable ecosystem players, and they’ll open the doors you need—from strategic introductions to long-term support.