Hub71 welcomes record 40 startups as global momentum accelerates

Abu Dhabi's technology ecosystem has selected its largest cohort yet, drawing from a record 2,502 applications and reinforcing the emirate's position as a nexus for innovation and entrepreneurial talent.

The selection of 40 startups for Cohort 19 represents a milestone for Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem. The figure marks not merely growth in volume, but a deepening sophistication within the community: these companies have collectively secured US$296 million in funding and emerge from 14 countries, with 88 percent originating from international markets. Against 2,502 applications from 117 countries, an acceptance rate of just 1.6 percent underscores the rigour of the selection process.

The cohort arrives at a moment of particular significance for Abu Dhabi’s technological ambitions. More than two-thirds of the selected startups operate within sectors aligned to the emirate’s economic priorities, while artificial intelligence threads through the group with remarkable consistency: 90 percent of the companies have incorporated AI as a core element of their technologies. This alignment reflects both the maturity of the ecosystem and the calibre of founders it now attracts.

Ahmad Ali Alwan, Chief Executive of Hub71, observed that Cohort 19 exemplifies “the growing depth and maturity of the companies joining Hub71, with founders building across increasingly specialised sectors.” The cohort spans from Pre-Seed to Series A stages, though notably it includes six Series A companies, an increase from two in the previous intake. This progression suggests that the ecosystem increasingly serves not merely as an incubator for nascent ventures but as a destination for companies with established traction and proven market validation.

The composition of Cohort 19 reveals the breadth of Hub71’s specialist pathways. Twelve startups join the sector-agnostic track, while 19 enter the Hub71+ Digital Assets, Hub71+ ClimateTech and Hub71+ Life Sciences specialist ecosystems. Six companies have been selected through Anjal Z, the programme focused on early childhood challenges, and three will join the pathway into Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster. The Hub71+ Life Sciences pathway attracted particular interest, with applications nearly doubling from the previous cohort.

Among the selected companies are enterprises addressing sophisticated technological frontiers. TurinTech AI, headquartered in the United Kingdom, brings an AI-powered platform for automating code modernisation, validation and optimisation, having raised AED55.1 million. Remarkable AI, a US-based customer retention platform, has secured AED51.4 million. The Life Sciences pathway includes Avesta 76 Therapeutics, developing cancer treatments and having secured AED146.9 million in funding, and SernaBio, which merges RNA data with generative artificial intelligence to design novel therapies.

The ecosystem continues to attract Emirati talent. Mosadad, an Emirati-founded company, joins the cohort after raising AED2 million in Pre-Seed funding; the company streamlines motor accident claims and payments by connecting insurers, garages, banks and regulators through a unified platform. Similarly, TAIA, a UAE-headquartered venture operating through the Anjal Z pathway, supports early-years schools in assessing student work and generating bilingual reports in Arabic and English.

Through its 12-month Access Programme, Hub71 extends tailored mentorship, expert-led workshops and access to investors, corporate and government partners to selected startups, alongside incentives reaching up to AED500,000. Top-performing companies may qualify for further support as they advance through subsequent programmes. The emphasis on practical ecosystem support reflects the conviction that innovation flourishes when entrepreneurs encounter not merely capital but partnership, expertise and access to market opportunity.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The scale and calibre of Cohort 19 signals Abu Dhabi’s maturing position within the global innovation landscape. The emirate continues to attract founding talent from across the world, with 88 percent of this cohort originating internationally. This diversity of origin brings not merely new companies but fresh perspectives, technologies and expertise that enrich the broader ecosystem. The concentration of artificial intelligence capabilities particularly positions Abu Dhabi as a destination for the technological currents shaping global commerce and industry.

The emphasis on specialist pathways reflects Abu Dhabi’s strategic economic priorities. By establishing dedicated ecosystems within Hub71 for life sciences, climate technology and autonomous vehicles, alongside the Anjal Z programme’s focus on early childhood challenges, the emirate demonstrates how a startup ecosystem can align innovation with societal priorities. This approach strengthens the contribution of entrepreneurship and technology to economic diversification and competitive advantage, matters central to Abu Dhabi’s long-term prosperity. As with similar initiatives across the UAE supporting innovation teams, the investment in startup communities reflects a fundamental commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and attracting international expertise.

Source: WAM