Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the UAE-India CEPA Council have entered into a strategic and dynamic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly collaborate on the innovative UAE-India Startup Series.
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 startups seeking to go global.
Through this partnership, RAKEZ and the CEPA Council will work together to deliver the UAE-India startup series, a flagship initiative designed to identify and support the internationalization of promising Indian ventures.
Following a rigorous evaluation process, 20 startups 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.
As part of the initiative, RAKEZ has committed to supporting one of the top five winning startups in the series by providing and sponsoring a comprehensive soft-landing package in the UAE. According to the UAE-India CEPA Council, the partnership goes beyond support, serving as a launchpad for Indian entrepreneurs to scale globally, tap new markets, and drive the future of the UAE-India growth story.
Yaser Abdulla Al Ahmed commented on the significance of the MoU that, “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 startups 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.”
Ahmed Aljneibi, Executive Director of the UAE-India CEPA Council, expressed delight at the overwhelming success of the landmark initiative, noting that more than 10,000 Indian startups have shown interest in the UAE-India Startup Series.
The UAE-India Startup Series, the first initiative under the CEPA framework, is turning policy commitments into real opportunities for entrepreneurs. By linking promising Indian ventures with the UAE’s business-friendly ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and global networks, the series drives cross-border collaboration and sets new benchmarks for innovation-led growth.
With over 10,000 applications already received, UAE-India Startup Series underscores India’s appetite for global expansion and the UAE’s role as a hub for entrepreneurs. The RAKEZ-CEPA Council partnership reflects a strong commitment to harness this momentum, creating lasting value for both economies and strengthening the UAE-India innovation corridor.
