How to Scale Smart from Startup Idea to ADGM Success: The Future of Work is Already Here

Opening SkyHub in ADGM: A Leap of Faith in the Future

adgm succes story

I still remember the day I decided to open SkyHub in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). It was 2023, and I was standing in an empty office space on Al Reem Island with a head full of dreams and a stomach full of butterflies. ADGM’s sleek towers gleamed above me, symbolizing possibility.

I asked myself: Can a small startup hub really make a difference here? The decision felt like a leap of faith—one part excitement, one part terror. But deep down, I believed ADGM was on the cusp of something big. The future of work wasn’t some far-off idea; it was unfolding right in front of us on those very floors. I wanted SkyHub to be at the heart of it.

A stunning sunrise over the ADGM financial district symbolizes the dawn of a new era for startups in Abu Dhabi.

Fast forward to today: SkyHub is buzzing with entrepreneurs, coders, and creatives. Opening our doors in ADGM wasn’t just about renting desks; it was about embracing a vision. I’ve watched this free zone transform from a traditional financial hub into a living laboratory of modern work. The risk I took back then has been repaid in the countless personal stories I witness every day. Each startup that joins our community adds a new chapter to this journey, proving that my gut feeling was right.

The future of work is already here, and we’re living it in ADGM.

Transforming Work: ADGM’s New Era Under 2024 Regulations

One of the most remarkable shifts I’ve seen in ADGM is how work itself is being redefined. When ADGM introduced its Employment Regulations 2024 (which kicked in on April 1, 2025), it was like opening the windows to a fresh breeze. 

Suddenly, flexibility wasn’t just a buzzword; it became law. The new regulations expanded the very definition of an “employee,” officially allowing companies to hire remote workers — even if they live halfway around the world. Imagine telling a founder a few years ago that they could legally employ a brilliant developer based in London or Bangalore under their ADGM entity. Now it’s our everyday reality.

The 2024 rules also gave part-time and hybrid work arrangements explicit support. Under the updated law, part-timers in ADGM must receive proper benefits and protections, ending the guesswork about their rights. I’ve seen this change up close: startups in SkyHub started bringing in specialists on a part-time basis without worrying if they were coloring outside the legal lines. 

There’s also a new seriousness about workplace culture. Clear-cut anti-discrimination and harassment provisions mean we must be intentional about company culture from day one. As a founder, I find that reassuring. It’s like the regulators said, “Go innovate, but take care of your people while you’re at it.”

Perhaps one of the biggest changes was psychological. When those regulations took effect, I felt a shift in the conversations around me. Founders were no longer asking “Can we do this in ADGM?” – instead, they were saying “How can we best do this in ADGM?”. With clearer rules on things like notice periods (at least 7 days for short-term staff) and even generous leave policies (up to 65 days maternity leave, 5 days bereavement leave), the fog of uncertainty lifted. These updates have brought real regulatory clarity to founders and startups operating in ADGM, providing transparent guidelines and reducing ambiguity around employment practices. The result? A real transformation in how we work inside ADGM. Teams became more confident in trying hybrid schedules. International hiring picked up. 

I’ve watched an ADGM-based fintech outfit onboard talent from three different countries in one quarter, all without a hitch in compliance. The new ADGM era isn’t about regulation for regulation’s sake – it’s about enabling growth and protecting people in a balanced way. And from where I stand, it’s working beautifully.

Heart of a Supporter: Reflections on Our Startup Community

Every morning when I walk into SkyHub, I don’t just see offices; I see stories in progress. Being a founder in a community of startups is an emotional rollercoaster of its own. There are days I play the role of the veteran big brother, and days I’m simply an awestruck spectator to someone else’s “aha” moment. Supporting startups here isn’t just business for me – it’s deeply personal.

I’ll never forget one of our first members: a two-person startup building an AI-powered calling solution. They came in quietly and a bit unsure, clutching their laptops like security blankets. In our first month, I found them huddled in a corner of the co-working space, practicing a pitch. The collaborative and flexible environment of the co-working space played a big role in their growth, giving them access to resources and a supportive community. I pulled up a chair, gave a few pointers, and mostly just listened. Fast forward to now – their AI calling solution is gaining traction, they’ve hired three new team members, and their confidence is through the roof. I still see the founders around, and sometimes they joke that SkyHub’s coffee and my pep talks were instrumental in getting them investor-ready. Truth is, watching them grow has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my own journey.

Another remarkable story is an entrepreneur who runs an ISP (Internet Service Provider) business out of SkyHub. He’s using machine learning to predict when customers might churn – essentially, figuring out if you’re unhappy with your internet service before you even call to complain. When he first explained it to me, I teased him that he was trying to read minds. But the idea was brilliant: by predicting customer unsubscribes, he could reach out proactively with better offers or support. I’ve seen him save countless accounts with that approach. Once, over a late evening karak tea, he shared how being in ADGM gave him the confidence to innovate in this way. The robust data protection rules and tech-friendly regulations here mean he can analyze customer data and deploy ML models without sleeping with one eye open on compliance.

Stories like these are the everyday reality inside SkyHub. There’s genuine emotion in seeing a founder conquer their fears or a team celebrate their first big sale. I’ve had tough moments too – like consoling a member who lost a client or struggled with a product bug at 2 AM. But the practical side of supporting startups is helping them navigate those lows and celebrate the highs. We organize weekly check-ins, make introductions to mentors, and occasionally play the cheerleader. Over time, I’ve realized, this is more than a coworking space; it’s a family of startup warriors. And as their unofficial “elder,” I wear that badge with pride and responsibility.

Business Structure and Model: Laying the Foundation for Scalable Success

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching fintech startups launch and scale in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), it’s that your business structure isn’t just a box to tick—it’s the bedrock of your future growth. The choices you make at the outset, from your legal framework to your business model, can either unlock unparalleled opportunities or create roadblocks down the line.

When you’re setting up a fintech company in the UAE, especially in hubs like ADGM or the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), you’re spoiled for choice. Both free zones offer a menu of business structures—limited liability companies, private companies, holding companies—each tailored to different needs. The real game-changer? Full foreign ownership. In ADGM and DIFC, international founders can retain 100% control of their business, sidestepping the old requirement for a local partner. This level of ownership, combined with the UAE’s strategic location and world-class infrastructure, gives fintech companies a launchpad that’s hard to beat.

But structure is just the start. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in ADGM and the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) in DIFC provide regulatory oversight that’s both robust and innovation-friendly. Their clear legal frameworks—rooted in English common law—offer the kind of legal clarity and stability that international investors crave. I’ve seen founders breathe a sigh of relief knowing their fintech business is protected by a familiar, globally respected legal foundation.

Of course, a strong business structure needs to be paired with a clear business plan. In the UAE market, where the demand for fintech solutions is rising fast, your plan should spell out not just your mission and target market, but also your revenue model and growth strategy. Whether you’re eyeing payments, digital banking, or wealth management, understanding the local market and its appetite for emerging technologies is key. The most successful fintech startups I’ve seen are the ones that tailor their offerings to the UAE’s smart city initiatives and forge strategic partnerships with local businesses and corporate partners.

Tax advantages are another major draw. The UAE’s free zones, including ADGM and DIFC, offer significant tax exemptions—think 0% personal income tax and, for qualifying income, 0% corporate tax until at least 2030. This, combined with access to a thriving ecosystem of accelerator programs, regulatory sandboxes, and co-working spaces, means fintech companies can focus on innovation and scale without being bogged down by red tape or excessive overheads.

Choosing the right business type—whether as a free zone company or another structure—depends on your specific goals. Free zone companies in ADGM or DIFC enjoy 100% foreign ownership, streamlined registration processes, and direct access to a network of financial services, tech startups, and potential customers. These free zones are designed to help you scale smart, offering everything from flexible office space to compliance support and networking opportunities.

What really sets the UAE apart, though, is its commitment to supporting innovative companies at every stage. Regulatory sandboxes let you test new fintech solutions in a controlled environment, while accelerator programs connect you with mentors, funding, and strategic partners. I’ve seen startups go from idea to market-ready product in record time, thanks to this supportive ecosystem.

In the end, laying the right foundation is about more than just paperwork—it’s about setting your fintech company up for long-term success in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region. With its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and unparalleled access to capital and markets, the UAE—especially through ADGM and DIFC—is the ideal launchpad for ambitious fintech businesses. If you get your structure and model right from day one, you’re not just building a company; you’re building a future-proof platform for growth and innovation.

Remote Hiring, Compliance & Scaling: My Advice to Founders

Growing a startup in ADGM has its unique playbook. From my experience, here are a few pieces of hard-earned advice for anyone looking to scale smart in this environment:

  • Embrace Remote Talent, But Cover Your Bases: Don’t hesitate to hire the best person for the job, even if they’re in a different country. ADGM’s new rules explicitly allow remote employees, which is a game-changer. That said, make sure you have solid contracts in place (ADGM requires written contracts within one month of hiring, for example) and clarify how local vs. remote arrangements will work in practice. Time zones and Zoom calls are easy; legal compliance is easier now, too, but still do your homework. Proper planning during the registration process is essential to avoid delays in obtaining your business license and getting your team operational quickly.

  • Leverage the Compliance Support: ADGM is a regulated environment, but in a good way. Use the resources available. The ADGM Employment Affairs Office, for example, offers guidance to help keep your HR policies updated. Early on, I spent a weekend updating our employee handbook to align with the 2024 regs – from anti-discrimination clauses to overtime rules. Boring? A bit. Worth it? Absolutely. Staying compliant isn’t just about avoiding fines; it builds trust with your team and investors. Startups must meet specific compliance requirements in ADGM, so understanding these obligations is crucial for a smooth business setup.

  • Scale Your Space Flexibly: Don’t lock yourself into a long lease when you don’t have to. One of the smartest moves we made was leveraging coworking infrastructure. Start with a couple of desks; move to a private office when you outgrow the space; open a satellite branch via a virtual office if you need a presence without a full team on site. I’ve seen a startup go from two guys at a shared table to a 10-person suite in under a year within SkyHub. No disruption, no relocation – just growth. Coworking in ADGM makes this possible, letting you scale your physical footprint as your headcount grows.

  • Hire for Culture and Well-Being, Not Just Skills: In a hybrid work era, every new hire impacts team dynamics. Remote work is fantastic, but I’ve learned to invest in occasional face-to-face meetups and team-building. Bring your remote staff to Abu Dhabi once a year if you can, or at least schedule virtual team coffees. People need human connection. The companies thriving here aren’t just compliant on paper – their teams are happy, motivated, and share a vision. That’s no accident. It takes effort to build culture when your team is distributed, but it’s non-negotiable for long-term success.

Following this advice isn’t always easy, but I can vouch that it pays off. The startups in ADGM that balance ambitious growth with smart hiring and strict compliance are the ones that truly scale, not just grow in numbers. In a place as forward-thinking as ADGM, you have all the tools at your disposal – use them wisely.

Coworking Infrastructure: The Hidden Scaling Advantage

I often say that without the right infrastructure, even the best ideas can stumble. One huge advantage we have in ADGM is a thriving coworking ecosystem that acts like a safety net (or maybe a trampoline) for scaling companies. When I set up SkyHub, I wanted it to be more than desks and Wi-Fi – I envisioned it as an enabler for growth. And that’s exactly what I see happening.

Inside SkyHub: entrepreneurs collaborating in a flexible workspace that grows with their team. Flexible workspaces allow startups to punch above their weight class. How so? Consider this: a small fintech team can project the image of a fully-fledged multinational by using our virtual office services and meeting rooms on demand. They get a prestigious ADGM address and professional facilities without bearing the cost of a full office year-round. I’ve lost count of how many investor meetings have happened in our sleek conference rooms, where the investors had no idea the company was just 3 people and a chatbot. Perception matters when scaling, and coworking gives you that polish from day one.

The practical wins are even bigger. Need to add five employees next month? In a traditional lease, you’d be scrambling for extra space or negotiating a costly expansion. In SkyHub, it’s a non-issue – we just allocate you more desks or upgrade you to a bigger office. Need to downsize for a few months? That’s okay too; you can scale down without penalty. This elasticity saves startups from what I call “growth whiplash.” You grow when you need, you pull back if you must, and your overhead stays predictable. Members in our space have reported higher productivity and team satisfaction simply by having the flexibility to choose how and where they work. No one is chained to a lease that’s too small or paying for one that’s too big.

There’s also the community factor. Coworking spaces like ours tend to attract a diverse mix of talent – and magic happens in those chance encounters. I’ve seen a blockchain developer help a legal consultant over coffee, and a marketing freelancer find a gig with a startup that sat two pods away. These are not just networking events in a sterilized sense; these are organic, daily interactions that spark ideas and partnerships. In a way, the coworking space itself scales your opportunities beyond what your core team can do. It’s like having an extended team of hundreds of professionals by virtue of sharing space. And when it comes to scaling smart, I’ll take all the help we can get.

ADGM vs. Other Free Zones: A Founder’s Perspective

I’m often asked, “Why ADGM? Why not Dubai’s DIFC or another free zone?” It’s a fair question, especially from entrepreneurs sizing up the UAE’s options. My answer is always candid: DIFC is a phenomenal place – world-class infrastructure, a buzzing finance scene – but ADGM offered me something different, something I as a founder desperately needed: flexibility and focus.

The way I see it, DIFC was built with big banks and financial giants in mind. Its ecosystem is slightly more traditional, shaped by those heavyweights over the years. ADGM, on the other hand, came into its own during the era of fintech, startups, and digital transformation. It’s no surprise that in 2025, more global companies (and plenty of startups) started choosing ADGM over DIFC for setting up shop, drawn by easier regulations and faster setup processes. It wasn’t just marketing – it’s the lived experience. When I was establishing SkyHub, the licensing process in ADGM was refreshingly straightforward, and the authorities were almost startup-like in their approach – quick, responsive, and open to new ideas.

Numbers tell part of this story, too. By mid-2025, ADGM had issued about 1,869 new licenses in just six months, bringing the total of active licenses to over 11,000. That’s not a vanity metric; it signifies a thriving, magnet-like hub. In fact, ADGM surpassed DIFC in the number of registered companies – DIFC had around 7,700 active companies at the same time. As a founder on the ground, those figures translate to a vibrant community: more potential partners, more clients, more talent in the ecosystem. Walking through ADGM Square, you can literally feel that energy – it’s the buzz of a place on the rise.

From a practical standpoint, ADGM also had some perks that mattered to me. Being based in Abu Dhabi means slightly lower living costs for the team compared to Dubai, and yet we didn’t sacrifice any access to capital or talent. We’re neighbors with some of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds here, for Pete’s sake. And importantly, ADGM’s regulatory framework is built on English common law, just like DIFC’s, which gives an international investor peace of mind. ADGM operates under an English common law foundation, providing a clear, supportive, and internationally recognized legal environment for businesses. When considering ADGM, it’s crucial to understand the licensing requirements and how they relate to the specific business activities your company intends to pursue, as certain activities may require additional regulatory approvals. Both jurisdictions offer 100% foreign ownership and significant tax advantages (think 0% corporate tax on qualifying income until at least 2030). But ADGM’s alignment with global best practices in new sectors made a difference for us. For instance, ADGM was among the first in the region with a comprehensive crypto asset framework and clear rules for fintech innovations. As someone who frequently rubs shoulders with blockchain and fintech startups at SkyHub, that forward-thinking stance isn’t just cool – it’s necessary.

In short, choosing ADGM felt like joining an up-and-coming band versus a long-established orchestra. There’s a spirit of building something new here. It’s less saturated, more experimental. DIFC is an amazing place, no doubt, especially for traditional finance and its own burgeoning fintech scene. But for my journey – creating a space for scrappy startups and future-focused enterprises – ADGM was the canvas where I could paint freely. And two years in, I have zero regrets.

Fintech and Innovation at ADGM: Real Stories on the Ground

If you want to see ADGM’s commitment to innovation in action, just step into one of its events or talk to the founders roaming its halls. Fintech and tech startups aren’t just welcome here; they’re actively nurtured. ADGM is an ideal place to develop and scale a fintech idea, with robust support from the local ecosystem that connects startups, regulators, and investors. I’ve personally attended Abu Dhabi Finance Week sessions under the ADGM banner, where global crypto and fintech leaders share stage time with local startups. It’s not uncommon to find a big-name blockchain investor chatting with a young AI entrepreneur over coffee at these events – the kind of cross-pollination that founders like me get giddy about.

Within SkyHub, I’ve had a front-row seat to some incredible fintech journeys. One of our member companies, for example, is using blockchain to streamline cross-border payments. When they first pitched their concept to an ADGM regulator through a sandbox program, they braced for a bureaucratic smackdown. For ADGM startups, meeting the compliance requirements set by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is essential, and the sandbox provides a supportive environment to achieve this. Instead, they got thoughtful feedback and an invitation to keep iterating under oversight (with guardrails, of course). That’s ADGM for you – principles-based regulation that doesn’t stifle innovation. Another startup in our space launched an ESG investing platform and found ADGM’s environment so supportive that they ended up co-hosting a sustainable finance workshop here in the building.

ADGM’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) deserves a shout-out, too. They’ve put in place frameworks that are among the most progressive anywhere. Back in 2018, ADGM introduced a crypto asset regulatory framework when most people were still Googling “what is Bitcoin?”.

That early-mover advantage has paid off – by now, we have globally recognized names setting up in ADGM. I nearly spit out my coffee (in a good way) reading the news that Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, chose ADGM as a base for its Middle East expansion, among other big fintech players. It validated what we already feel here: ADGM is becoming the place in the region for fintech and digital assets.

Let’s talk real outcomes. I’ve seen a fintech startup here leverage ADGM’s openness to remote work to hire a crack coding team overseas, enabling a 24/7 development cycle. They scaled from concept to a product in-market across three continents, all under ADGM’s legal umbrella. Another one of our SkyHub companies – a RegTech startup – collaborated with an ADGM financial institution to pilot an AI-driven compliance tool, effectively getting a first client through a connection that might only happen in this tight-knit ecosystem. These aren’t press release stories; I witnessed them from the desk next door.

ADGM’s role in tech innovation isn’t just about the headline-grabbing companies; it’s in the daily grind of startups that are benefiting from a cutting-edge, supportive environment. The free zone’s emphasis on things like data protection and governance (we now even find ourselves discussing AI ethics in our meetups) signals where things are going. Engaging with the local ecosystem in ADGM is crucial for networking, regulatory support, and strategic collaborations that can accelerate startup growth. As a founder, that’s both inspiring and confidence-boosting. We know that as we innovate, the powers that be in ADGM have our back – as long as we innovate responsibly. In a world where tech often sprints ahead of rules, in ADGM, it feels like the rules are at least jogging to keep up.

Culture and Balance: Where Regulation Meets Human Reality

Building a startup is tough wherever you are, but doing it in ADGM has taught me something crucial: culture matters as much as strategy, and good regulations can actually foster better workplaces. It might sound odd to say rules helped our culture, but hear me out. Some of the key features of ADGM's regulatory environment—like clear employment laws, support for remote work, and transparent dispute resolution—directly contribute to a positive work culture by setting clear expectations and protections for everyone involved.

When ADGM updated its employment law, it wasn’t just a boon for remote work and hiring flexibility; it also pushed us founders to think harder about our people. For example, the requirement for written contracts and defined notice periods nudged me to professionalize our HR processes much earlier than I might have otherwise. The result? My team knew from the get-go what to expect, how to voice concerns, and what their rights were. That clarity builds trust. These steps help create a strong foundation for long-term team success, ensuring everyone feels secure and supported from day one. It’s a lot easier to keep a team happy when they feel secure and heard.

Work-life balance is another area where ADGM’s culture and our SkyHub ethos intersect. Abu Dhabi, in general, has a slightly more relaxed vibe than the nonstop hustle of some other cities, and I think that seeps into how we operate. Don’t get me wrong – we work hard. Some of our folks are pulling late-nighters more often than I’d like to admit. But we also value downtime. There’s a running joke in the office: when someone looks burnt out, I threaten to ban them from SkyHub until they take a day off. We encourage midday walks along the Al Maryah Island promenade and catching sunset views from the SkyHub lounge. In fact, a couple of our members started a weekly “Walk and Talk” around the ADGM blocks to get steps in and casually discuss projects. It’s amazing how a little Gulf breeze and a pink twilight sky can melt away stress.

Hybrid work has become our norm, especially post-2024 regulations. On any given day, half the team might be in the space and half dialing in from home (or from a café or another country). I had worries initially – would this hurt team cohesion? Would those in the office resent those remote? We tackled it head-on: set up regular all-hands meetings (virtual check-ins plus quarterly in-person gatherings) and made it clear that flexibility goes both ways. Sometimes our in-house folks work from home when they need focus time, and remote folks fly in when we need all hands on deck. Striking this balance has massively improved team happiness. People can tailor their work modes to their lives, not the other way around. And a happy team, in my experience, outperforms a stressed one any day.

One more thing worth mentioning: being in ADGM means rubbing shoulders with professionals from all over the world, each bringing their own work-culture flavor. That diversity is a goldmine. It teaches you empathy and broadens your idea of a “normal” work-life balance. Some of our European members clock off at 5 PM religiously and inspire the rest of us to reconsider late-night emails. Our American startup friends bring that “let’s change the world yesterday” energy that fires everyone up. And our local Emirati entrepreneurs often model a deep sense of community responsibility and family balance that reminds us not to lose sight of life beyond pitch decks and KPIs.

In short, ADGM’s progressive rules set the stage, but it’s the people here who bring it to life. We’re all figuring out this new future-of-work thing together – making mistakes, learning, and growing. The key is keeping it human. After all, regulations and technologies aside, a company is just a group of people chasing a dream. And those people need to feel valued, balanced, and inspired to make the magic happen.

Looking Ahead to 2026: ADGM and the Future of Work

As a founder, I’m wired to look forward – sometimes maybe too far forward. It’s late 2025 now, and I’m already thinking about 2026 and beyond. But can you blame me? The pace of change in the past couple of years has been incredible. If the future of work is already here in ADGM, what’s coming next?

One word that’s on everyone’s lips: Web3. By 2026, I anticipate that concepts like tokenization and decentralized finance will move from fringe to mainstream in our community. ADGM isn’t just casually observing this trend; it’s gearing up for it. There’s talk (and more than talk) of new regulatory frameworks to allow tokenized assets, crypto-based economies, and even decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) to operate with legal legitimacy. I wouldn’t be surprised if by next year we see startups in SkyHub issuing tokenized shares or leveraging blockchain for everyday business operations under an ADGM-sanctioned framework. In fact, I’m counting on it – one of the teams here is already working on a platform for tokenizing real estate, positioning themselves for that wave.

AI governance is another frontier. We all saw the explosion of AI in recent years, and ADGM’s firms have been eager adopters. The question now is how to harness AI responsibly. Knowing ADGM, I suspect we’ll have guidelines or standards for AI use in finance and business, possibly even requiring compliance checks for algorithms handling sensitive data. Governance will be the name of the game – whether it’s governing algorithms or crypto assets. And ADGM’s proactive streak makes me think we’ll be ahead of the curve, not playing catch-up. I envision something like an “AI ethics compliance” certification that companies here might wear as a mark of trust.

On the work culture side, by 2026, hybrid work will probably just be called “work”. The novelty will have worn off; it will simply be how things are done. We might see more companies downsizing physical offices in favor of shared spaces and on-demand hubs. SkyHub itself is adapting – we’re rolling out even more flexible membership models, anticipating that fluid approach. I fully expect more startups will use ADGM as a base for global teams, and they’ll need that kind of flexibility.

And let’s not forget the bigger picture: ADGM as an ecosystem. The numbers show it’s already the largest financial center in the region by some metrics, and it’s still growing. But what excites me more is the qualitative growth – the innovation, the mindset shifts. ADGM likes to say it’s building the future, and from where I stand, that’s not just a slick tagline. I see it in the autonomous vehicle company testing drones near the promenade, and in the Web3 startup founders sketching out ideas on our whiteboards. We’re not waiting for Silicon Valley or someone else to tell us what’s next. We’re creating it here in Abu Dhabi, in our own way. ADGM serves as a strategic launchpad for startups aiming to expand across the MENA region, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth and regional connectivity. There is also a rising demand for innovative business models, such as subscription services, in the UAE market, which is driving new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

So, here’s my forward-looking message as we stand on the edge of 2026: Buckle up. If you’re a startup or an entrepreneur thinking about where to plant your flag, consider this an open invitation. ADGM has surprised me at every turn – from embracing remote work to pioneering crypto regulations – and it’s poised to keep surprising us. The future of work isn’t a distant concept; it’s an evolving reality we get to shape daily. And trust me, there’s no better feeling than knowing you’re part of building that future. In ADGM, we’re not just adapting to what’s coming – we’re actively inventing it. And that, more than anything, convinces me that we made the right choice to call this place home. For founders looking to scale smart, a step by step guide can be invaluable for navigating the evolving regulatory and business landscape in ADGM.