Your definite guide to starting an IT Consultancy in Dubai.
As of 2018, the global market for IT consulting services is worth around $48 billion.
In the coming years, the IT consulting market in the GCC region is forecasted to grow exponentially on the back of large technological megatrends, including digitization, analytics, cloud, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
IT consulting firms can be distinguished in three separate categories.
- The large global firms that specialize in information technology
- Generalist consultancy firms that have a separate IT consulting unit
- SME niche IT firms that focus on a specific discipline or service.
The focus of this article will be on the SME IT consultancy firms.
Find your Niche
IT consultants offer everything from IT support, helpdesk, to server monitoring, disaster recovery, security, and offsite backup. Take the time to understand the UAE marketplace. What problem can I solve better than all my competitors?
By doing research first, you can identify gaps in the market. Once you have a clear idea of what your offering will be, and you’re sure you have a market for it, you’ll be able to develop your business plan around this.
The Right Jurisdiction to Start IT Consultancy
If you’ve completed your business plan and are now ready to start your IT consultancy firm, the next part is challenging. The choices of where to incorporate are limitless, as is the opportunity to get it wrong!
Dubai Internet City
Dubai Internet City is the biggest information technology park in the Middle East. It’s home to businesses like Microsoft, IBM, Dell, Tata CS, as well as many local IT consultancies. With 100% expat ownership and a coveted location in the heart of new Dubai, it is the ideal location for your business.
The free zone also has access to tech incubators and various schemes to provide synergy between SME firms and large established companies. But the only downside is that the start-up costs can be beyond the reach of smaller firms. Due to intense demand, office space within the free zone also comes at a premium.
Local Business License
There are many free zones within Dubai that welcome business within the IT consultancy sector: Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSOA), Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP), Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Meydan Free Zone (MFZ) and many more. However, there’s one significant limitation to this form of business incorporation. The free zone company must appoint a local licensee in order to provide services within the Emirate of Dubai.
So here comes the Dubai mainland business license option. Establishing a business through the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) with a local sponsor is a much more favorable long-term option. Not only do you remove the aspect of providing services through a third party, but you can reduce your office costs with access to a broader commercial real estate portfolio.
Solutions for Every Need
Maybe the type of IT consultancy that you wish to provide revolves around penetration testing of corporate networks, server monitoring, or offsite backup. Essentially, things that you can perform remotely without having to spend any time at your client’s business premises. Perhaps your clients are based outside the UAE?
We have perfect solutions for you. Hence we work with jurisdictions that offer affordable packages that can issue you a license in a matter of days with minimal paperwork. Whether it’s an offshore, free zone or local license, if you can help us understand what you want to achieve, we can get you the right license.
Leave a reply