In 2023, ATB Legal was approached by an overseas Indian-origin investor holding U.S. citizenship, an entrepreneur with a distinctly global outlook and a vision that extended well beyond conventional business expansion. His goal was not simply to set up a company in the UAE; he wanted to create a future-ready holding structure capable of nurturing, scaling, and transforming a group of technology businesses through global collaboration.
The brief he shared was both ambitious and refreshingly forward-looking. He envisioned an Applied Technology Enterprise that would function as an innovation engine, one that would co-create solutions with partners, affiliates, and specialist developers across multiple jurisdictions. The goal was to elevate existing business models in sectors such as E-commerce, EduTech, RegTech, and FinTech, while simultaneously powering them with emerging capabilities like Artificial Intelligence, cloud-native architectures, mobile-first development, and advanced security-compliance systems.
What he needed was a legally and internationally respected structure, flexible, and tax-efficient corporate base. And among the many global jurisdictions he had explored, he found himself repeatedly returning to one name: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).
This is the story of how ATB Legal helped transform that vision into a robust corporate reality.
This is a Part of Our Company Formation Services.
The Client’s Vision: A Unified Innovation Hub With Global Reach
The client’s business philosophy rested on two pillars:
Globalisation: Scaling proven models across borders
He had spent years refining digital business frameworks across multiple sectors. These models worked exceptionally well in their local markets, but scaling them into new territories required structure, governance, and credibility, particularly when engaging with international partners and institutional investors.
Technological Elevation (Techno-Fi): Continual enhancement through advanced tech
For him, the future of any sustainable business lies in continuous reinvention, using AI, automation, cloud-native solutions, and secure compliance systems to strengthen reliability and market competitiveness. What he lacked was a central entity that could oversee, invest into, and harmonise these various operations. He needed a holding company.
And not just any holding company, one positioned in a jurisdiction that offered:
- International recognition
- Regulatory confidence
- Easy cross-border structuring
- Strong governance
- Investor credibility
- And above all, a framework that supports innovation-driven enterprises
ATB Legal immediately recognised that ADGM offered the perfect match for the client’s requirements.
Why ADGM? Our Strategic Recommendation
From the first consultation, it became clear that the client required a jurisdiction whose legal infrastructure could mirror global standards. As a U.S. citizen with significant overseas interests, he sought a system that could align with international corporate governance norms while giving him freedom to scale swiftly.
ATB Legal analysed multiple options and recommended ADGM for several strategic reasons
- A Common Law Ecosystem
ADGM operates entirely on English Common Law, providing familiarity for international investors and partners. Contracts, investment agreements, board governance, and shareholder rights align seamlessly with global expectations.
- A Powerful Jurisdiction for Holding Structures
ADGM’s SPV and holding company framework is widely regarded as one of the best in the region. It allows businesses to consolidate intellectual property, cross-border investments, shareholdings, and assets under one umbrella with clarity and efficiency.
- A Magnet for Technology-Driven Enterprises
ADGM is a preferred hub for innovative and regulated technology businesses. It encourages experimentation, cross-collaboration, and forward-thinking enterprise models, perfect for the client’s co-innovation philosophy.
- Tax Efficiency and International Confidence
With a tax-free environment for most activities, international recognition, and compliance with global transparency standards, ADGM gave the client the neutrality and credibility he needed to scale worldwide.
The client immediately aligned with our recommendation and advice, and ATB Legal initiated the incorporation process of an ADGM Holding Company.
Our Approach: Turning a Multinational Vision Into a Compliant ADGM Entity
Our team managed the incorporation end-to-end, ensuring the client experienced a structured, seamless process, despite residing overseas. Our way of approach was as follows:
Understanding the Vision in Detail
We conducted deep-dive virtual sessions to understand:
- His group structure
- The nature of his affiliated businesses
- Expected investments
- Future expansion strategy
- IP ownership and licensing plans
- Cross-border compliance considerations
These insights formed the foundation for designing a fit-for-purpose holding structure.
Drafting the Corporate Blueprint Of the Entity To Be Formed
ATB Legal developed a customised corporate model that allowed the holding company to:
- Act as the parent entity for multiple global subsidiaries
- Secure and manage intellectual property
- Support joint ventures and co-development initiatives
- Invest in new territories legally and efficiently
Handling Regulatory Requirements With Precision
ADGM has a highly sophisticated regulatory review process. To ensure smooth approval, ATB Legal:
- Completed the detailed business plan
- Prepared the ultimate beneficial ownership documentation
- Ensured all declarations aligned with international compliance standards
- Coordinated filings through ADGM’s digital portal
- Communicated continuously with the Registration Authority
- The application progressed without delays or revisions, a testament to thorough preparation.
Post-Incorporation Support
After incorporation, ATB Legal continued assisting the client with:
- Bank account facilitation
- Corporate governance frameworks
- Drafting shareholder agreements
- Regulatory compliance guidance
- Structuring for future subsidiaries
The holding company eventually became the anchor platform for the client’s global innovation ecosystem.
Outcome: An ADGM Holding Company Incorporated
With ATB Legal’s guidance, the client now has an ADGM-registered holding company that:
- Serves as the nucleus of a multinational technology group
- Enables global partnerships with confidence
- Provides international investors with a secure structure
- Protects intellectual property under a common law environment
- Supports the rollout of AI-enhanced and cloud-native business models
- Gives the client long-term flexibility for expansion across continents
The company he envisioned is no longer an idea; it is a reality, and one that grows stronger each quarter.
The client has since expanded into new markets, established additional subsidiaries, and initiated groundbreaking co-innovation projects. He continues to rely on ATB Legal for ongoing corporate advisory, regulatory structuring, and strategic expansion planning.
A Vision Fulfilled. A Trusted Partnership That Continues
This case study is a powerful reminder that the right jurisdiction and the right legal guidance can transform a business concept into a future-ready global enterprise.
