ADGM Fund Insights
Abu Dhabi's sandbox with serious ambitions.
ADGM is quietly becoming one of the more interesting fund domiciles in the Middle East. Common-law framework, English-language documentation, and a regulator that actually picks up the phone. We cover FSRA licensing, fund structuring in Abu Dhabi Global Market, and what makes ADGM different from DIFC.
UAE corporate tax and ADGM funds: how to maintain 0% through Qualifying Free Zone Person status
The UAE's 9% corporate tax does not have to apply to your ADGM fund. Qualifying Free Zone Person status preserves 0% — but the conditions are strict and the compliance is ongoing.
ADGM service provider requirements: who you must appoint and why local nexus matters
ADGM mandates specific service provider appointments for every fund — fund administrator, custodian, and corporate service provider. New proposals tighten local nexus requirements further.
ADGM Category 3C licensing: the fund manager licence and the sub-threshold shortcut
ADGM's Category 3C licence is the gateway for fund managers in Abu Dhabi. A proposed sub-threshold framework could cut capital requirements and approval times in half for emerging managers.
ADGM fund classification: Exempt vs. Qualified Investor Funds and what the minimums mean for your raise
Choosing between an Exempt Fund and a Qualified Investor Fund in ADGM is not a technicality. The minimum subscription threshold — $50,000 or $500,000 — shapes your investor base, your fundraise, and your admin costs.
VC fund pricing in ADGM
$3.5k
+ 0.75%
of fund size
Best for funds under 2M
$20k
+ 0.2%
of fund size
Best for funds 2M - 26M
$20k
+ 0.15%
of fund size
Best for funds over 26M