Innovation City (formerly RAK DAO) Company Setup
RAK's tech free zone for AI, Web3 and gaming — ex RAK DAO
In short
Innovation City is Ras Al Khaimah's technology-focused free zone for AI, Web3 and blockchain, gaming, robotics and healthtech companies — the zone previously known as RAK DAO (rakdao.com now redirects to innovationcity.com, and the zone retains its DAO Association Regulations). Published packages start from AED 6,600/year for the zero-visa Idea package with 10 activities; Seed is AED 13,200/year with 1 visa and a shared desk, Startup AED 15,400/year and Growth AED 22,550/year with a dedicated desk — visas cap at 4 per licence. Entities can form as companies limited by shares, companies limited by guarantee, or branches, and activities under the Capital Market Authority's mandate need CMA approval before operating.
Licence from
AED 6,600
from / published — Idea package at AED 6,600/year (zero visa, 10 standard or custom activities, multiple shareholders). Visa-included packages start at AED 13,200/year (Seed); premium activities, additional visas and premium office space are upgradeable extras, and government and visa fees apply where relevant
Emirate
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311)
Visas
Package-based
Package-defined: the Idea package includes no visas, while Seed, Startup and Growth each include 1 visa — and visa allocation is capped at 4 per licence, with additional visas as upgradeable extras within that cap.
Activities
Wide range
Idea, Startup and Growth include 10 standard or custom activities; Seed includes 1 custom or premium activity chosen from 200+ technology and innovation options. Premium activities are paid upgrades, and anything under the Capital Market Authority's mandate needs CMA approval first.
Why Innovation City?
- The zone formerly known as RAK DAO: rakdao.com now redirects to innovationcity.com (checked 2026-08), and the zone keeps dedicated DAO Association Regulations — still the UAE's specialist home for decentralised organisations.
- Purpose-built for five tech sectors: AI and machine learning, Web3/blockchain and digital assets, gaming, robotics, and healthtech — 200+ technology and innovation activities.
- Four published packages: Idea AED 6,600/yr (0 visa, 10 activities), Seed AED 13,200/yr (1 visa, shared desk), Startup AED 15,400/yr, Growth AED 22,550/yr (dedicated desk) — visas capped at 4 per licence.
- The zone's site advertises 50+ expert partners and displays logos including RAKBANK, Wio, Binance, Tether, Avalanche and NEAR — with simultaneous banking setup during licensing.
- Clear regulatory line: it is a commercial free zone, and any activity under the Capital Market Authority's mandate must obtain CMA approval before operating.
- Three entity forms — company limited by shares (Limited or Incorporated), company limited by guarantee (non-profits and associations), and branches of existing companies.
Best for
AI, Web3/blockchain, gaming, robotics and healthtech founders who want a specialist tech free zone with published package pricing; DAOs and token projects needing the UAE's dedicated DAO Association Regulations; and digital-asset businesses that value an ecosystem with crypto-experienced banking and infrastructure partners.
Less ideal for
General trading, industrial or logistics businesses (RAKEZ next door, JAFZA or UAQ FTZ fit far better), firms needing a Dubai or Abu Dhabi address, and regulated financial-services or exchange businesses that need a full financial regulator — DIFC/DFSA or ADGM/FSRA are the purpose-built routes, and CMA-mandate activities here need separate CMA approval anyway.
Innovation City setup cost
Approximate budgeting figures — your final quote is confirmed in writing. Government fees are passed through at cost, never marked up.
Idea package (0 visa)
10 standard or custom activities, multiple shareholders allowed
From AED 6,600/yr (published)
Seed package (1 visa)
1 custom or premium activity from 200+ options, shared desk included
From AED 13,200/yr (published)
Startup package (1 visa)
10 activities, shared desk included
From AED 15,400/yr (published)
Growth package (1 visa, dedicated desk)
10 activities, dedicated desk; premium space and extra visas are upgrades
From AED 22,550/yr (published)
UAE corporate tax registration
Registration with the Federal Tax Authority is free of charge
Government fee: AED 0
How we set you up
- 1
Pick sector and package
Match your business to one of the five sectors (AI, Web3, gaming, robotics, healthtech) and pick Idea, Seed, Startup or Growth based on visa and workspace needs — visas cap at 4 per licence.
- 2
Choose the legal entity
Company limited by shares for commercial ventures, company limited by guarantee for non-profits and associations (the DAO-friendly route), or a branch of your existing company.
- 3
Clear the regulatory check
If any of your activities fall under the Capital Market Authority's mandate, the CMA licence or approval must be in place before the entity operates — factor its timeline in from day one.
- 4
Submit and license
Application with shareholder documents through the zone; the packages bundle the licence, activities and workspace tier you chose.
- 5
Banking in parallel
The zone advertises simultaneous banking setup through its partner network (RAKBANK and Wio logos are among those displayed) — start the account file with the licence application, especially for digital-asset activities where banks ask more questions.
- 6
Visas and corporate tax
Process the included visa (Seed and up) with medical and Emirates ID as standard, and register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority (registration itself is free).
Pros
- Genuine sector focus: a licensing home built for AI, Web3, gaming, robotics and healthtech rather than a general-purpose zone — with the UAE's dedicated DAO Association Regulations.
- Published, packaged pricing from AED 6,600/yr — rare transparency in the tech-zone niche.
- Crypto-experienced ecosystem: the zone's site shows Binance, Tether, Avalanche, NEAR, RAKBANK and Wio among its 50+ displayed partners, and advertises simultaneous banking setup.
- Workspace included from Seed up (shared desk) and Growth (dedicated desk), plus event space and a content-creator studio at Innovation HQ.
- RAK cost base: cheaper operations and living costs than Dubai, with the E311 running straight to it.
Things to weigh
- The 4-visa cap per licence is tight — teams that expect to sponsor more staff will outgrow the packages and need to weigh RAKEZ or a Dubai zone.
- Digital-asset activities under the Capital Market Authority's mandate cannot operate until CMA approval is in place — a real gate, not a formality, for exchanges and regulated token activity.
- The rebrand from RAK DAO is recent: expect some third-party references, directories and even bank compliance teams to lag behind the new name.
- Ras Al Khaimah is roughly an hour from Dubai — fine for remote-first teams, a real commute if your clients and events are in Dubai.
- Like any free zone, direct mainland UAE retail requires additional licensing or arrangements.
Innovation City or mainland?
Innovation City is a commercial free zone, so the usual trade-off applies: 100% ownership, packaged tech licensing and a sector ecosystem inside the zone, versus a mainland licence's unrestricted UAE market access. For most software, Web3 and AI businesses selling online or internationally, mainland access matters little — the choice is really Innovation City versus other tech-friendly zones (DMCC's crypto centre, DIFC's Innovation Licence, ADGM's tech start-up route), where Innovation City wins on published price and DAO tooling and loses where full financial regulation is required.
Frequently asked questions
Is Innovation City the same as RAK DAO?+
Yes — Innovation City is the current name of the Ras Al Khaimah free zone previously marketed as RAK DAO (RAK Digital Assets Oasis). The old rakdao.com domain now redirects to innovationcity.com (checked August 2026), and the zone still maintains its dedicated DAO Association Regulations while broadening its focus to AI, gaming, robotics and healthtech alongside Web3.
How much does an Innovation City licence cost in 2026?+
Four published packages: Idea from AED 6,600/year (zero visa, 10 activities), Seed from AED 13,200/year (1 visa, 1 custom or premium activity, shared desk), Startup from AED 15,400/year (1 visa, 10 activities, shared desk) and Growth from AED 22,550/year (1 visa, dedicated desk). Premium activities, extra visas (up to the 4-visa cap) and premium office space are paid upgrades — get the itemised quote in writing.
Can I register a DAO in Innovation City?+
The zone publishes dedicated DAO Association Regulations — the framework it became known for as RAK DAO — alongside conventional entity forms (company limited by shares, company limited by guarantee, branch). For token or digital-asset activity that falls under the Capital Market Authority's mandate, CMA approval is required before operating, so have the regulatory perimeter assessed before you commit.
Innovation City or DMCC for a Web3 company?+
Innovation City starts far cheaper (published packages from AED 6,600 versus DMCC from about AED 35,484), offers DAO-specific regulations and a crypto-native partner bench, and suits lean teams within its 4-visa cap. DMCC counters with the Dubai address, its established Crypto Centre ecosystem, stronger banking recognition and room to scale headcount. Budget and DAO structure favour Innovation City; Dubai presence, prestige and scale favour DMCC.
How many visas can I get with an Innovation City licence?+
The Idea package includes none, and Seed, Startup and Growth each include one — with additional visas available as upgrades up to a cap of 4 visas per licence. If your team will need more than four sponsored staff, plan for a zone without that ceiling, such as RAKEZ in the same emirate.
Why set up with ZETUP PRO
ZETUP PRO is an independent advisor — no zone pays us more than another. We will tell you straight whether Innovation City's tech packages and DAO framework fit your structure, banking needs and regulatory perimeter, or whether DMCC, DIFC, ADGM or RAKEZ serves your case better — and we put the full cost in writing, line by line, before you commit. Government and authority fees are always passed through at cost.
Compare with other free zones
Innovation City vs IFZA
from AED 12,900
Consultants, freelancers, service firms, marketing/IT agencies, holding companies and traders who want an affordable Dubai free zone with flexible visa numbers and a wide activity list. Ideal for solo founders and small teams who do not need a physical mainland storefront.
Innovation City vs Meydan
from AED 12,500
E-commerce sellers, freelancers, consultants, agencies, small service businesses and holding companies that want a credible Dubai address, a low starting cost and a quick online setup, while keeping their visa needs modest (up to three on a flexi-desk).
Innovation City vs DMCC
from AED 35,484
Commodities and trading houses (gold, diamonds, metals, energy, agri), crypto/Web3 and blockchain founders, fintech, established SMEs and serious entrepreneurs who want a prestige Dubai address, a credible ecosystem and smoother banking. Ideal when reputation, sector clustering and a physical presence in central Dubai matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
Innovation City vs RAKEZ
from AED 6,000
Cost-conscious SMEs, traders, freelancers and consultants, e-commerce sellers, and especially industrial or manufacturing businesses needing warehouses or land. A common pick for Dubai-based founders who want a cheaper free zone licence and don't need a Dubai address on the trade licence.
Innovation City vs Shams
from AED 5,750
Budget-conscious founders, freelancers, media and creative professionals, consultants, and online or service businesses who want a cheap, credible UAE licence and don't need a Dubai address or to trade directly on the mainland.
Innovation City vs DAFZA
from AED 15,020
Aviation, freight forwarding, logistics, electronics, pharma, luxury goods and trading companies that need physical airport proximity, a prestige Dubai address, and an office or warehouse on-site. Suits funded businesses that value reputation over the lowest possible cost.
Innovation City vs JAFZA
from AED 15,000
Import-export and trading houses, distribution and re-export businesses, logistics and freight-forwarding firms, manufacturers and light-industrial operations, and regional headquarters serving Asia, Africa and Europe. Ideal for companies that physically move, store or process goods and want to sit on top of Jebel Ali Port with bonded warehousing and on-site customs.
Innovation City vs DIFC
from AED 5,500
Financial-services firms, fintech and Web3 startups, investment managers, funds, family offices, holding companies, and international law, advisory and insurance firms that need a credible common-law jurisdiction, DFSA standing and access to capital. The DIFC Innovation Hub specifically suits early-stage, non-regulated tech and fintech founders who want the DIFC address and ecosystem at a subsidised price.
Innovation City vs ADGM
from AED 5,509
Financial-services firms, asset and fund managers, VCs and fintechs regulated by the FSRA; holding companies, SPVs, family offices and foundations; and Hub71-eligible tech start-ups. The right pick when a common-law jurisdiction, a credible financial-centre address and Abu Dhabi's capital ecosystem matter more than the lowest possible licence price.
Innovation City vs Dubai South
from AED 12,500
Logistics, freight and e-commerce fulfilment operations, aviation and aerospace businesses, and traders who want airport-side operations in the corridor Dubai is building around Al Maktoum International. Also a practical government-run package option (Business Hub) for SMEs and startups that want a published-price Dubai licence with same-day issuance.
Innovation City vs SPC
from AED 5,750
Startups, solo founders and consultants who want one of the cheapest published entry prices in the UAE with fast, fully online licensing; e-commerce and trading businesses choosing from the 2,000+ activity list; and publishers and media businesses, given the zone's publishing heritage and Publishers Hub.
Innovation City vs UAQ FTZ
from AED 5,500
Online sellers, dropshippers and solo founders who want the cheapest credible published package in the UAE (UAQ LYTE at AED 5,500); founders who need licence-plus-visa in one transparent bundle (UAQ START at AED 12,500); and light-industrial, trading and logistics businesses using its warehouses, land and UAQ Port.