Hub71’s 2025 Impact Report reveals a surge in funding, revenue, and international partnerships, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s shift from early-stage innovation to a mature, revenue-generating tech hub.
Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 has recently reported a notable surge in startup activity. Its 2025 Impact Report reveals that companies within the ecosystem raised over AED9.9 billion ($2.7 billion) in the past year and generated AED5.4 billion ($1.47 billion) in revenue.
These figures clearly indicate that the platform is moving beyond just forming early-stage startups and is now entering a more mature, commercial phase. According to the report, Hub71 startups also clinched AED137 million in corporate deals during 2025. This highlights a shift away from solely raising funds, much more focus is now on customer acquisition, forging partnerships, and creating revenue streams that can be repeated and scaled, rather than just fundraising alone.
Backed by the Abu Dhabi government and Mubadala Investment Company, Hub71 emphasised that this growth rate reflects rising international confidence in the emirate as a solid base for developing and scaling tech companies. The ecosystem’s statement, accompanying the report, said it had grown to include 390 startups, with 295 supported through its programmes. It also mentioned more than 200 partners across its network, which is quite a sizable community.
The expansion has partly been propelled by a noticeable increase in founder interest. Last year, Hub71 received more than 5,000 applications, which is a hefty 62% jump from the previous year. Out of these, 52 new startups were selected to join the ecosystem, showing Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal for founders who are looking for capital, supportive policies, and regional market entry. Honestly, it’s pretty impressive, right?
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, who serves as chairman of Hub71 and also heads the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, mentioned that this performance is reflective of Abu Dhabi’s broader push to develop a more competitive, innovation-driven economy. He added that startups are driving investments and long-term growth, while simultaneously reinforcing the emirate’s position as a hub where ambitious tech businesses can grow, scale quickly, and compete on a global stage.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Ali Alwan, the CEO of Hub71, described 2025 as a year marked by “meaningful progress”. He pointed out that the ecosystem now supports more than 390 startups and boasts over 200 partners. Alwan also noted that the combined energy of entrepreneurial ambition and the support system is helping to establish Abu Dhabi as a stronghold for globally relevant tech ventures.
The latest report also highlights that startups within Hub71 raised AED2.2 billion ($599 million) in 2025 alone. During the same period, they generated revenue of AED645 million ($175 million). For comparison, Hub71’s 2024 impact report, released in April 2025, detailed total funding of $2.17 billion and revenue of $1.2 billion. When you look at these numbers together, it’s clear that the ecosystem is maintaining momentum while also expanding its commercial influence.
For Abu Dhabi, the significance of these figures goes beyond just numbers. Hub71 fits into a broader strategy to shift away from reliance on hydrocarbons and move towards a knowledge-based economy, centred around technology, artificial intelligence, and advanced industries. It’s also become a tool for attracting foreign founders and investments, supported by regulatory tweaks, entrepreneur visas, and targeted capital investment, which all help bring in global talent and capital.
This broader approach sets Abu Dhabi apart from other regional startup hubs. Instead of only prioritising the creation of new companies, the focus has increasingly shifted to scaling and globalisation, backed by sovereign support and links to government and corporate giants. Hub71’s model, which balances government backing with private-sector collaboration, has become a key part of this strategy.
The report also points out that the network is becoming more international. In 2025, Hub71 deepened its engagement with venture capital firms, corporates, and government partners in places like Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, India, Ireland, and the USA. The goal? To open up more avenues for investment, partnerships, and accessing new markets for companies based in Abu Dhabi.
To aid this strategy, Hub71 launched its Immersion Programme in 2025. This initiative brings promising international startups to Abu Dhabi to help them navigate market entry, regulation, and commercialisation. The report mentions participation from cohorts from Hong Kong and Japan, in cooperation with HSITP, Cyberport, MTR Lab, and JETRO, all aimed at strengthening ties in those regions.
Plus, Hub71 has expanded its sector-specific offerings. In 2025, it launched Hub71+ Life Sciences, joining existing verticals such as AI, ClimateTech, and Digital Assets. This new platform aims to connect founders, investors, researchers, and industry partners working in healthcare, biotech, and related fields, especially relevant as Abu Dhabi pushes to diversify its economy over the long term.
Looking at the 2025 cohorts, there’s a clear indication of where the ecosystem’s bets are placed. In February, it welcomed 27 startups into Cohort 16, spanning sectors like ClimateTech and Digital Assets. Later that year, it announced its most AI-heavy intake so far, 26 startups in Cohort 17, with a whopping 81% specialising in AI. These startups ranged across healthcare, finance, energy, and climate sectors, with founders from 12 different countries.
That diversity is important, especially for the UAE’s ambitions in climate-related innovation. ClimateTech continues to be one of Hub71’s key verticals, and the broader ecosystem’s ability to attract global talent into energy, industrial, and healthcare innovation seems to support the country’s long-term goals for net-zero emissions and economic diversification. These latest figures make it pretty clear: Abu Dhabi isn’t just attracting attention as a funding spot anymore. More and more, it’s developing into a place where tech companies can generate real revenue, secure customers, and grow regionally.
- https://economymiddleeast.com/news/abu-dhabis-hub71-startups-raise-2-7-billion-generate-1-47-billion-revenue-in-2025-growth-surge/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=abu-dhabis-hub71-startups-raise-2-7-billion-generate-1-47-billion-revenue-in-2025-growth-surge – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-startups-surpass-%242.7-billion-in-funding-as-abu-dhabi-gains-momentum-as-a-global-techhub – In June 2026, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, announced that its startups had raised over $2.7 billion (AED 9.9 billion) in funding and generated $1.5 billion (AED 5.4 billion) in revenue by the end of 2025. This milestone underscores Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a leading destination for high-growth technology companies. The 2025 Impact Report highlights a maturing startup base with increased access to capital, customers, and international markets. In 2025, Hub71 startups secured $599 million (AED 2.2 billion) in funding and generated $175 million (AED 645 million) in revenue, reflecting sustained growth across the ecosystem. Since 2019, Hub71’s community has expanded to 390 startups, with 295 supported through its programmes, connecting founders with investors, corporates, regulators, talent, and strategic partners. The growth reflects Abu Dhabi’s broader effort to build a diversified, innovation-led economy by attracting companies with the potential to scale globally. Founder demand continued to rise in 2025, with Hub71 receiving more than 5,000 startup applications, a 62% increase year-on-year, and welcoming 52 startups into its community. This increase reflects stronger international interest in Abu Dhabi as a base for companies seeking capital, commercial access, and expansion opportunities across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Beyond fundraising, Hub71 startups have signed corporate deals worth $244 million (AED 897 million) from 2022 to 2025, including $37 million (AED 137 million) in 2025, reflecting Hub71’s growing role in connecting founders with corporate partnerships and stakeholders needed to accelerate market adoption. H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Hub71 and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), stated, “Hub71’s performance reflects the sustained progress Abu Dhabi is achieving in building a more competitive, innovation-led economy. Startups are contributing to investment and long-term growth, while strengthening the emirate’s position as a place where ambitious technology companies can build, scale and compete globally.” Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, added, “2025 was a year of meaningful progress for Hub71’s community, which now spans more than 390 startups and over 200 partners. The growth of our community reflects the increasing appeal of Abu Dhabi as a destination for founders, the calibre and ambition of the entrepreneurs at Hub71, and the strength of the ecosystem partners supporting them. Together, these factors reinforce Hub71’s position as a platform that enables founders to build globally relevant tech startups from Abu Dhabi.” Hub71’s 2025 progress was also shaped by its expanding international reach. Throughout the year, Hub71 deepened engagement with venture capital firms, corporates, and government partners across key markets including Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, India, Ireland, and the United States, creating new commercial and investment opportunities for startups building from Abu Dhabi. To further strengthen its offer for international high-growth companies, Hub71 launched its Immersion Programme in 2025. The programme brings high-potential international startups to Abu Dhabi for hands-on engagement on market entry, regulatory frameworks, and commercialisation, helping them establish a base in the emirate for regional and global expansion. In 2025, the programme welcomed cohorts from Hong Kong and Japan through partnerships with HSITP, Cyberport, MTR Lab, and JETRO. As part of its specialist ecosystem strategy, Hub71 also launched Hub71+ Life Sciences in 2025, joining Hub71+ AI, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ Digital Assets. The new vertical also aligns with Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic priorities and supports founders, investors, research institutions, and industry partners working across healthcare innovation, biotechnology, and advanced life sciences. The 2025 Impact Report shows the growing contribution of Hub71 and its startup community to Abu Dhabi’s innovation economy. By connecting entrepreneurs with capital, market, talent, and international expansion, Hub71 is supporting startups in scaling globally from Abu Dhabi while creating economic value for the emirate.
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-records-%242.17-billion-in-startup-funding-as-abu-dhabi-rises-among-global-tech-hubs – In April 2025, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, released its 2024 Impact Report, marking a year of record-breaking growth, international recognition, and strategic ecosystem expansion. As of 2024, Hub71 startups recorded $2.17 billion (AED 8.02 billion) in funding, a 44.7% year-on-year increase from $1.5 billion (AED 5.4 billion) in 2023, demonstrating strong investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s innovation economy. Revenue generated by startups also climbed to $1.2 billion (AED 4.5 billion), up from $1 billion (AED 3.5 billion) the previous year, reflecting sustained commercial traction across priority sectors. This growth underscores Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a leading destination for high-growth technology companies and highlights the maturing startup base with increased access to capital, customers, and international markets.
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-welcomes-record-ai-startups-in-latest-cohort%2C-reinforcing-abu-dhabis-role-in-global-ai-innovation – In September 2025, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, onboarded its most AI-intensive cohort to date, welcoming 26 high-growth startups to its 17th Cohort. Together, these companies have raised over USD 223 million (AED 818 million), the largest funding total of any Hub71 cohort to date, underscoring the calibre of startups scaling from Abu Dhabi and rising investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s position as a global centre for advanced technologies. Notably, 81% of the selected startups are AI-driven, addressing challenges across Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors, including healthcare, finance, energy, and ClimateTech. The majority are seed-stage companies from 12 countries, including the US, UK, Singapore, and India, reflecting the global appeal of Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem and its commitment to fostering innovation in emerging technologies.
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-strengthens-abu-dhabis-thriving-tech-ecosystem-with-its-latest-cohort – In February 2025, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, welcomed 27 startups as part of Cohort 16 across its three programs: Access, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ Digital Assets. This new addition increases the total number of ventures supported by Hub71 to 357. The latest cohort includes startups across key priority sectors, reinforcing Hub71’s commitment to diversifying Abu Dhabi’s economy through technology and innovation. Collectively, Cohort 16 startups have raised over USD 145
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article references Hub71’s 2025 Impact Report, published on 8 June 2026. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-startups-surpass-%242.7-billion-in-funding-as-abu-dhabi-gains-momentum-as-a-global-techhub?utm_source=openai)) The data aligns with the report’s findings, indicating freshness. However, the article’s publication date is not provided, so the exact recency cannot be confirmed.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi and Ahmad Ali Alwan. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-startups-surpass-%242.7-billion-in-funding-as-abu-dhabi-gains-momentum-as-a-global-techhub?utm_source=openai)) While these quotes are consistent with the press release, their earliest known usage cannot be independently verified, raising concerns about originality.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article cites Hub71’s official press release. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-startups-surpass-%242.7-billion-in-funding-as-abu-dhabi-gains-momentum-as-a-global-techhub?utm_source=openai)) While Hub71 is a reputable organisation, the reliance on a single source without independent verification reduces the overall reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
8
Notes:
The reported figures of $2.7 billion in funding and $1.47 billion in revenue are plausible and align with Hub71’s 2025 Impact Report. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-startups-surpass-%242.7-billion-in-funding-as-abu-dhabi-gains-momentum-as-a-global-techhub?utm_source=openai)) However, the article’s tone and phrasing, such as ‘Honestly, it’s pretty impressive, right?’, are informal and may not align with typical corporate communication, raising questions about the article’s authenticity.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents data from Hub71’s 2025 Impact Report, but its reliance on a single source without independent verification, inclusion of unverifiable quotes, and informal tone raise significant concerns about its credibility and authenticity. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-startups-surpass-%242.7-billion-in-funding-as-abu-dhabi-gains-momentum-as-a-global-techhub?utm_source=openai))
