Set up in Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park — the UAE's deep-tech free zone, established by royal decree and home to over 10,000 startups, SMEs and innovation programmes.
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) was established in 2016 by royal decree of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Sitting next to University City, it is the UAE's deep-tech and research free zone, home to over 10,000 startups, SMEs and innovation-programme participants across six anchor sectors.
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park was established in 2016 by royal decree of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. The park sits next to University City — the UAE's largest education cluster — giving member companies direct proximity to academic researchers, postgraduate talent and joint-venture partners. SRTIP positions itself as a global hub for innovation, research and business growth.
The zone's commercial profile is unlike most UAE free zones. SRTIP is built around six anchor sectors — water technology, renewable energy, environmental technology, transport and logistics, digitalisation and smart cities, and industrial design and architecture — and surrounds members with a dedicated ecosystem: SoiLab for advanced prototyping, the SAIA accelerator programmes, the SBAN Business Angels Network for early-stage investment, and direct partnerships with the universities next door. According to SRTIP, the ecosystem now includes more than 10,000 startups, SMEs and innovation-programme participants.
SRTIP — Sharjah Research, Technology & Innovation Park — is the UAE's purpose-built deep-tech and applied-research free zone. Established by royal decree of the Ruler of Sharjah and located next to University City — home to the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah — it specifically targets R&D-heavy ventures, deep-tech start-ups, and businesses that benefit from direct academic-industry collaboration. Not a general-purpose zone — but the strongest UAE answer for research-led businesses.
SRTIP's licence framework is built around applied research, prototyping, and deep-tech commercialisation. Activity categories support sectors like advanced manufacturing, green energy, water tech, biotech, AI/robotics, and aerospace.
SRTIP campus sits adjacent to American University of Sharjah and the University of Sharjah — providing direct access to faculty research, graduate-engineering talent, and university R&D facilities. The academic-industry link is the zone's defining feature.
SRTIP is a Sharjah Government strategic initiative, established by royal decree of the Ruler of Sharjah and regulated by the SRTI Park Free Zone Authority. Strong political will translates into sector-specific incentives, R&D grant access, and direct engagement with Sharjah's leadership on major projects.
On-park facilities include a Fab Lab, prototyping workshops, advanced materials labs, and shared R&D space — supporting deep-tech ventures that need physical experimentation alongside corporate licensing.
SRTIP has positioned itself as a sustainability and green-tech hub — home to start-ups working in water reuse, solar deployment, circular-economy materials, and clean-mobility tech. Aligned with UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy.
SRTIP operating costs sit below Dubai equivalents (DSO, DIC) while providing comparable or better R&D infrastructure for deep-tech ventures. The cost differential materially extends grant-funded research runway.
SRTIP issues three licence families aligned to its deep-tech, research and innovation focus. Each maps to a specific operational profile inside the park.
For research, consultancy, technology and advisory firms. The largest SRTIP category by activity count and the natural fit for innovation-led businesses.
For advanced manufacturing, prototyping, healthcare production and value-added processing — used by members building physical products alongside research.
For commercial trading and distribution of technology, equipment and innovation-led products produced inside or outside the park.
SRTIP recognises two operating structures — covering solo founders and multi-shareholder partnerships.
Single-owner vehicle with limited liability. The standard route for solo researchers and founder-led innovation businesses.
Multi-shareholder limited-liability vehicle. The most common structure for joint ventures, spin-outs from universities and growth-stage research businesses.
SRTIP runs incorporation through its digital onboarding flow. Standard setups complete inside five to ten working days once documents are ready.
Match the planned operations to one of SRTIP's anchor sectors — water technology, renewable energy, environmental technology, transport & logistics, digitalisation & smart cities or industrial design & architecture — and the right licence category.
FZE for solo owners or FZC for multiple shareholders — chosen to fit shareholder count and liability exposure.
Submit the proposed name through SRTIP. UAE-wide naming rules apply.
Choose between offices, R&D lab access, prototyping space at SoiLab or workshop units inside SRTIP. Space type drives the visa quota.
Upload shareholder documents and the business plan. SRTIP reviews fit with its sector focus alongside standard KYC checks.
SRTIP issues the trade licence and corporate documents. The company can then open a corporate bank account and apply for investor and employee visas.
Standard document set for individual shareholders. Corporate shareholders need additional KYC documents. Sector-specific activities (healthcare, advanced manufacturing) may require regulator clearance.
SRTIP pairs an innovation-focused regulator with the surrounding ecosystem most deep-tech founders actually need — academic talent, accelerator programmes and early-stage capital.
SRTIP entities follow the standard UAE Free Zone Corporate Tax regime. Qualifying R&D and qualifying intellectual-property income are explicitly on the Qualifying Activities list — directly relevant to SRTIP's tenant profile.
Corporate Tax at 9% above AED 375,000. SRTIP entities can elect QFZP for 0% on Qualifying Income. Qualifying intellectual-property income (income from patents, copyrighted software, R&D-derived IP) and qualifying headquarters/qualifying services activities are explicitly on the Qualifying Activities list under Ministerial Decision 265/2023.
Standard UAE VAT — 5% on taxable supplies, AED 375,000 mandatory registration threshold. R&D services and IP licensing to non-UAE clients may qualify for zero-rating on export-of-services grounds. UAE-academia collaborations may benefit from VAT exemptions where the academic counterpart is a recognised educational institution.
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law 47/2022 (Corporate Tax) · Cabinet Decision 100/2023 (QFZP) · Ministerial Decision 265/2023 (Qualifying activities incl. IP) · Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 (VAT) · SRTIP Authority + Sharjah Research Foundation
SRTIP's anchor sectors reflect Sharjah's commitment to building a research-led, innovation-first economy.
Avyanco runs SRTIP engagements end-to-end — from sector positioning and activity selection through to a banked, visa-ready entity registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
We map your business to SRTIP's anchor sectors and the right licence category — clear-eyed about which sector clearances are needed.
Holding, JV and spin-out structures designed for research-led businesses and UAE Corporate Tax efficiency.
Memorandum of Association drafted to SRTIP's current template and the application taken through the zone's onboarding flow.
Introductions to UAE banks that actively onboard SRTIP entities, plus the compliance file the bank's KYC will require.
Investor, partner and employee visas processed end-to-end with Emirates ID and medicals coordinated.
FTA registrations and ongoing filings — including QFZP eligibility assessment for the 0% qualifying-income rate.
Five partner-level advisors covering every leg of an SRTIP setup — formation, sector positioning, tax and ongoing compliance.
Three things that come up in every SRTIP engagement.
Live engagements with manufacturing, healthcare, sustainability and mobility-tech founders means we know which SRTIP sector lane fits — and which sector regulators may need clearance.
Application, MoA, office or lab, bank, visa and tax — handled by one team on one engagement letter.
Recommendations shaped by how research-led and deep-tech businesses actually operate — equity, IP and university joint ventures included.
SRTIP suits research-led, deep-tech and innovation founders. Other zones serve different sector ecosystems — compare here.
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Read moreA slice of recent feedback from founders who set up their UAE companies through Avyanco.
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
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Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleI've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleI had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleCommon questions about setting up in Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park.
Content verified against the live Avyanco site and the official SRTIP website (srtip.ae) as of June 2026. Avyanco Business Consultancy LLC is independent of SRTIP and the Government of Sharjah, not endorsed by either, and not affiliated with any UAE government agency.
SRTIP sector focus, ecosystem programmes, lab access and Qualifying Free Zone Person eligibility evolve. Always confirm the current rules for your specific activity directly with SRTIP and the Federal Tax Authority before acting on any fact on this page.
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Speak to an Avyanco partner about an SRTIP licence scoped to your business — whether you're standing up an R&D venture, a deep-tech startup, a healthcare manufacturer or a sustainability-led trading arm.
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