Case Studies
Real founders, real numbers — jurisdictions chosen, packages priced, timelines hit. Every case study below is a documented Insight setup with the actual cost, structure and days-to-license tracked from day one.
E-commerce Set Up a Dubai E-Commerce Business with Stripe & UAE Banking in 19 Days
A US-based founder selling fashion accessories via Shopify needed a UAE entity to access regional logistics and integrate Stripe for AED/USD payments.…
Restaurant & F&B Open Restaurant Dubai: DED + DM + Civil Defence in 40 Days
An Italian chef-restaurateur opened authentic Italian restaurant in Dubai Marina — DED license + Dubai Municipality food approval + Civil Defence +…
Consulting Management Consulting Firm Setup in Meydan Free Zone — 14 Days
A 3-partner management consulting firm relocating from Singapore to Dubai needed a multi-shareholder structure, 3 investor visas, and corporate banking ready for…
Manufacturing KIZAD Industrial Setup: Plastic Packaging Plant in 60 Days
A German plastic packaging manufacturer expanding to UAE needed an industrial Free Zone with port access, customs benefits and warehouse space. Set…
Trading JAFZA Trading Company: General Trading & Commodities in 25 Days
A Turkish trader expanding GCC operations needed a Jebel Ali-based general trading company with import-export license, port access and corporate banking for…
Consulting & Freelance Got a Dubai Freelancer License & Investor Visa in 17 Days
A UK-based digital marketing consultant needed UAE residency and a legal entity to invoice GCC clients. We handled the full setup via…
Tech / SaaS Dubai Tech Startup: DMCC + AED 4M Funding Round in 18 Days
An Indian SaaS startup raising AED 4M Series A needed Dubai HQ for MENA expansion + investor relations. DMCC tech license +…
Perfume / Cosmetics Dubai Perfume Company: DMCC Perfume Centre + ESMA in 25 Days
A French perfume distributor + Middle East niche brand launcher set up at DMCC Perfume Centre with ESMA + Dubai Municipality cosmetic…
Real Estate Dubai Property Investor: AED 12M Portfolio + Property Visa in 30 Days
A Saudi property investor structured AED 12M Dubai property portfolio (8 apartments) with a Dubai South holding company, Property Investor Visa, and…
Logistics & Freight Dubai Logistics Company: Sea + Air Freight Hub in 28 Days
A 3PL logistics provider from Singapore wanted a Dubai operations hub for GCC distribution — JAFZA sea + DAFZA air, dual-port access,…
Healthcare Dubai Medical Clinic: DHA + DET + Specialist Visas in 50 Days
A UK general practitioner opened a multi-specialty medical clinic in JLT — DHA licensing for clinic + 3 specialists + DET commercial…
Jewelry & Watches Dubai Jewelry Trading: DMCC Diamond + Jewellery in 20 Days
An Antwerp diamond trader expanded to DMCC Diamond Centre + Jewellery Centre + Dubai Customs gold/diamond clearance for GCC luxury distribution in…
Industrial Trading Dubai Industrial Trading: Hamriyah + Customs in 22 Days
A Pakistani industrial valve and pipe fittings supplier needed Dubai-based trading hub for Saudi mega-project supply. Hamriyah + warehouse + LC facility…
Import/Export Dubai Import/Export Company: General Trading + Customs in 24 Days
A Turkish industrial parts trader needed Dubai general trading FZE with customs warehouse and AED multi-currency banking for GCC distribution flow. Set…
Food Manufacturing Dubai Food Manufacturing: Hamriyah + ESMA Halal in 55 Days
An Indian snack manufacturer expanding to GCC needed food-grade industrial Free Zone with Halal certification + ESMA conformity + 20 production visas.…
Crypto / Web3 Dubai Crypto Company: DMCC Crypto Centre in 26 Days
A US-based crypto OTC desk relocating from Singapore needed Dubai entity for VARA-regulated activities + DMCC Crypto Centre membership + USD-AED corporate…
Construction & Real Estate Dubai Construction Company: Mainland LLC + RERA in 45 Days
A UK construction firm bidding on Dubai government projects needed a Mainland LLC, contractor classification, and engineer / labour visa scaling. Set…
Automotive Dubai Car Dealership: Mainland LLC + RTA Approval in 35 Days
A Korean used-car dealer wanted Dubai showroom and trade license for luxury car imports + GCC re-export. Mainland LLC + RTA dealer…
Beauty & Wellness Dubai Beauty Salon: DET + DHA + Municipality in 30 Days
A Lebanese aesthetician relocating to Dubai opened a 200m² ladies salon + esthetic treatments centre. Mainland LLC + DHA cosmetic approval +…
Investment Holding DMCC Investor Setup: AED 5M Holding Structure in 21 Days
A Russian-origin tech investor relocating from Cyprus needed a Dubai holding company for portfolio investments (5 startups + crypto + real estate).…
Commodity Trading DMCC Commodity Trader: Coffee + Gold OTC in 22 Days
A South African coffee + precious metals trader needed DMCC Coffee Centre + Gold Centre access for AED 30M monthly trade. Set…
Family Office ADGM Family Office: $80M Multi-Generational Wealth Structure
A second-generation Indian family relocating $80M of assets needed a Single Family Office structure with foundation, holding companies and Golden Visas for…
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About these case studies
We document setups where the client agreed to publish — typical setup, repeatable structure, and a clean before/after picture. Every cost, jurisdiction and timeline reflects what actually happened. Some details (company name, exact revenue) are anonymized at the client's request.
Costs shown are Year-1 actuals for that specific client: license + visas + bank account + Insight fees. Your own setup may differ depending on the activity, number of visas, office type and any optional services (PRO, payroll, audit). We always send an itemized estimate within 24 hours of the discovery call.
Light Free Zone with virtual office and 1 visa — 5-10 days. Mainland with physical office and multi-shareholder setup — 30-45 days. Regulated activities (DHA, KHDA, DIFC, ADGM) — 45-70 days. The case study timeline is the actual elapsed days from kick-off to a fully operational entity.
Yes — most setups follow patterns. We start by mapping your activity, target market and visa needs to one of the documented archetypes, then customize: jurisdiction, package size, visa count, banking partner. Book a 20-min discovery call to find the closest fit.
Yes. We have established structures in Hong Kong (Limited + HSBC), RAK ICC (offshore IBC) and JAFZA Offshore, often paired with a UAE-resident parent. See the Hong Kong and Offshore case studies for examples.