Abu dhabi: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the UAE-India CEPA Council have formalised a new partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the UAE-India Start-up Series.
According to Emirates News Agency, the MoU, signed between Yaser Abdulla Al Ahmed, Chief Government and Corporate Relations Officer at RAKEZ, and Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the CEPA Council, will anchor joint efforts to promote and support high-potential Indian start-ups seeking to go global.
Yaser Abdulla Al Ahmed stated, ‘This collaboration marks a strategic step in aligning economic policy with entrepreneurial opportunity. By working closely with the CEPA Council, we are creating seamless access for Indian start-ups to enter and grow in the UAE market. Our role is not just to facilitate entry but to build an ecosystem that helps these ventures thrive and make lasting contributions to our bilateral economic ties.’
Through this partnership, RAKEZ and the CEPA Council will work together to deliver the Start-up Series, a flagship initiative designed to identify and support the internationalisation of promising Indian ventures. Following a rigorous evaluation process, 20 start-ups will be shortlisted to take part in a high-profile pitch event in New Delhi, where five winners will be selected to receive incubation support and market access in the UAE.
Ahmed Aljneibi expressed enthusiasm, noting the interest of over 10,000 Indian start-ups in the UAE-India Start-up Series. He emphasized the dynamism of India’s entrepreneurial community and the UAE’s role as a global launchpad for innovation. Aljneibi highlighted that the partnership is about building bridges for start-ups to scale globally and shape the future of the UAE-India economic corridor.
As part of the initiative, RAKEZ has committed to supporting one of the top five winning start-ups in the series by providing and sponsoring a comprehensive soft-landing package in the UAE.
Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, shared his vision for the partnership, highlighting Indian start-ups’ role in global innovation and their interest in the UAE’s ecosystem in Ras Al Khaimah. He emphasized that the partnership with the CEPA Council is about empowering bold ideas and turning ambitions into reality, offering a launchpad for Indian entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and shape the future of the UAE-India growth story.
The UAE-India Start-up Series is the first initiative of its kind under the CEPA framework, translating government commitments into practical opportunities for entrepreneurs. By connecting India’s promising ventures with the UAE’s business-friendly environment, infrastructure, and global networks, the Series aims to accelerate cross-border collaboration and set new benchmarks for innovation-led growth.
With over 10,000 applications already received, the Series demonstrates the appetite among Indian start-ups to expand internationally and the UAE’s position as a partner of choice for global entrepreneurs. The collaboration between RAKEZ and the CEPA Council signals a shared determination to harness this momentum, creating long-term value for both economies and reinforcing the UAE-India partnership as a driver of innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.