Women have accounted for approximately 32% of all UAE-based company formation enquiries received by Sovereign PPG Corporate Services so far in 2026, compared with 18% across the full year in 2025, with professional services, technology and investment-related structures among the most active areas of interest.
The data points to a broadening profile of women-led business formation in the UAE, with professional services accounting for approximately 20% enquiries, including consulting, business advisory, HR, coaching, marketing and corporate services. Technology represents a further 18%, led by software, IT services, digital agencies, AI businesses and online platforms. Creative industries account for nearly 12%, while property and real estate, and ecommerce and retail, each represent around 10%.
“The increase from 18% to 32% is significant, but the bigger shift is in the profile of the businesses women are looking to establish,” said Zana Jablan Musa, Operations Director at Sovereign PPG. “We are seeing strong demand for technology businesses, professional-services firms and structures to hold and manage investments, suggesting that women are increasingly using the UAE not only to start businesses, but to build more structured and scalable ventures.”
The findings come as the UAE continues to prioritise women’s economic participation alongside entrepreneurship and innovation. The UAE Gender Balance Council’s 2026 strategy identifies economic participation, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion as a strategic pillar, while the National Agenda for Entrepreneurship and SMEs prioritises innovation, digital transformation and the accelerated growth of SMEs.
From professional expertise to business ownership
Sovereign PPG is increasingly seeing women use specialist expertise, digital capabilities and professional experience to establish businesses of their own. In professional services, founders are often drawing on experience in consulting, HR, marketing, business advisory and related fields to move from established careers into business ownership.
“A clear trend is women using the experience and networks they have built in the UAE to establish businesses of their own,” said Jablan Musa. “Many already have established professional networks, understand the market and commercial opportunity, and have seen other women build successful businesses here. For them, entrepreneurship is increasingly becoming a natural next step from an established professional career.”
The firm is also seeing entrepreneurs view the UAE as a base from which to build internationally, rather than simply the market they intend to serve. International connectivity, access to customers and talent, and a business environment that supports foreign investment and entrepreneurship are helping make the UAE an increasingly practical base for businesses with regional or global ambitions.
“Founders are increasingly using the UAE not only as a domestic market, but as a base from which to build internationally,” added Jablan Musa. “That is particularly relevant for consultancies, technology businesses, digital agencies and online platforms that can be headquartered here while serving clients across the GCC and beyond.”
Founders are thinking beyond incorporation
The shift is also evident in the nature of company formation conversations, with more founders considering how their businesses and assets should be structured for the longer term rather than focusing solely on obtaining a licence.
Sovereign PPG is seeing founders increasingly consider ownership, governance, residency, compliance, asset protection and business continuity. Almost 40% of women-led enquiries expressed interest in establishing a 100%-foreign-owned LLC, while there is also increased use of holding companies and SPVs, particularly for real estate and other investment activities.
“It is no longer simply, ‘Where should I establish my company?’ Founders want to understand how the structure will work over the longer term: how ownership should be organised, what happens if they relocate or circumstances change, and what governance and succession arrangements should be put in place,” said Jablan Musa. “Entrepreneurs are thinking about resilience, continuity and long-term value much earlier in the life of the business.”
The findings come ahead of Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August, which this year marks the start of a month-long celebration of women’s contributions to national growth, family and leadership. Sovereign PPG’s data offers a business-level view of how women’s participation in the UAE’s entrepreneurial economy is evolving not only in scale, but also in the sectors and structures they are exploring.
For further insight from Sovereign PPG Corporate Services, or to request an interview, please contact lisa@lfandco.me / +971 52 689 5509.
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