Dubai-based Creative Zone has launched a startup program with Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and Mashreq NEO BIZ, targeting first-time founders navigating company formation in the UAE.

The Young Entrepreneurs’ Business Setup Program combines licensing, banking access and basic operational support in one package. It is aimed at early-stage entrepreneurs who typically handle those steps separately, often without structured guidance or access to established partner networks.

The UAE is pushing toward one million SMEs by 2030, up from about 557,000 today, while continuing to rank highly in global entrepreneurship benchmarks, including leading the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s National Entrepreneurship Context Index for four consecutive years.

Partners including DHL and Zoho are part of the rollout. The program offers more than AED 15,000 in incentives, covering digital bank account setup, discounted logistics, tax registration, medical insurance and one year of AWS hosting. A virtual office and access to HR and legal services are also included, alongside tools typically reserved for more established operators.

“Starting a business is a major step, and what many new entrepreneurs need is not just ambition, but the right structure and support around them. This program was created to make that step more practical and more accessible for those ready to build something of their own,” said Lorenzo Jooris, Group CEO of Creative Zone.

For new founders, the friction points are consistent — banking delays, unclear processes and limited guidance. Many enter the system without a clear path from idea to operational business. The model here is to reduce those gaps at the outset.

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“This collaboration is about giving young entrepreneurs a more accessible and better-supported path into business ownership, with the right structure in place from the start,” said Anas Hijjawi, Chief Commercial Officer at RAKEZ.

The approach reflects a wider shift in the UAE. Setup providers are packaging services that were once handled separately, aiming to shorten timelines and keep new businesses from stalling early, as competition for founders intensifies across free zones and digital-first platforms.