5:09 pm - February 16, 2026

Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 ecosystem is rapidly expanding, attracting over $2.17 billion in funding in 2024, fostering a diverse range of startups from AI to biotech, and positioning the emirate as a major international innovation hub.

Abu Dhabi’s tech scene is really showing some impressive growth lately, establishing itself as a major global hotspot for innovation and startups. At the heart of this development is Hub71, an active ecosystem focused on technology and entrepreneurship that’s played a big role in drawing in investments, supporting new businesses, and helping diversify the emirate’s economy.

Right now, Hub71 is home to roughly 300 startups. Collectively, these companies have raised about AED 9 billion (that’s around $2.45 billion) in funding and brought in AED 5 billion ($1.36 billion) in revenue. That’s a pretty strong indicator of Abu Dhabi’s rising importance in both regional and international innovation scenes. Ahmad Ali Alwan, who’s the CEO of Hub71, explains that the ecosystem aims to help startups grow through innovative programs and strategic partnerships globally. For instance, there’s a recent partnership in Hong Kong designed to give resident startups access to new markets—pretty handy, right?

This growth is largely driven by key sectors like artificial intelligence, climate tech, digital assets, and life sciences. The last one, in particular, is highlighted by a new Hub71+ Life Sciences cluster, which shows there’s a lot of investor and market interest in biotech and healthtech innovation these days.

Looking at some specific startups within Hub71 offers a glimpse into Abu Dhabi’s rising tech capabilities and appeal. For example, Aurem has built an AI-driven Workflow Builder that really speeds up creating complex financial workflows—what used to take months now takes hours or days. With around $7 million in funding, this Abu Dhabi-based company is changing how financial services automate processes using AI.

In biotech, Vivan Therapeutics is another notable name, backed by £4.6 million in investment and £3.7 million in research grants. Founder Laura Towart points out that Abu Dhabi’s flexible regulations have been crucial in deploying their innovative cancer treatments quickly. Their platform uses tumour fingerprint analysis to customize therapies, aiming to improve targeting while lowering toxicity and costs. They’re also setting up new labs alongside local medical institutions to further advance cancer research, taking advantage of Abu Dhabi’s strategic location to push therapies forward in the region.

Fintech is also thriving in Hub71’s environment. Mansa, for example, has secured $10 million and processed over $250 million through its digital liquidity solutions. Founder Abhinav Mehta notes that Abu Dhabi’s solid financial infrastructure and strong network are big reasons for their growth. Similarly, Monit—originally from Pakistan—moved into Hub71 to focus on Gulf markets. Using AI and IoT tech, Monit is all about making workplaces safer, especially in high-risk industries. Currently, they’ve generated around $3 million in revenue and are looking for more funds to set up a regional manufacturing line.

Looking at the bigger picture, the numbers for Hub71’s growth and investments reveal just how fast Abu Dhabi’s tech scene is expanding. Recent data from 2024 shows funding hitting $2.17 billion—up 44.7% from the previous year—and startup revenues already climbing to $1.2 billion. The appeal is global: over 3,100 applications from entrepreneurs across more than 20 countries, plus a 16th cohort of 27 startups—almost two-thirds of which are based outside the UAE. This diversity really cements Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway, linking traditional Western tech hubs like the US, UK, and Germany with high-growth emerging markets.

The steady arrival of international startups underscores Hub71’s success in attracting talent and capital worldwide. Recently, 27 new startups in a cohort raised over $145 million, while earlier groups pulled in $130 million. These companies come from a variety of sectors, emphasizing the city’s strategic plan to diversify its economy—something that aligns closely with Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030.

But it’s not just about funding and new businesses. Hub71 also plays a key role in building strategic partnerships and collaborating with corporations, which helps facilitate tech transfer and commercialization. By nurturing this vibrant entrepreneurial environment, Hub71 supports Abu Dhabi’s broader goal of becoming a global leader in innovation-driven economic growth—especially in sustainable, tech-first industries.

As Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem continues to develop, the city isn’t just establishing itself as a regional hub, but also positioning itself prominently on the international stage. Its clear regulatory frameworks, strong financial systems, and strategic global links all combine to give startups a pretty fertile ground for scaling breakthrough technologies. It’s all part of the emirate’s vision for a diversified, innovation-led future.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

  1. https://famedelivered.com/hub71-startups-secure-2-45-billion-as-tech-ecosystem-grows/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
  2. 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 2024, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, reported a record $2.17 billion in startup funding, marking a 44.7% increase from the previous year. This growth underscores strong investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s innovation economy. Additionally, startup revenue reached $1.2 billion, up from $1 billion in 2023, reflecting sustained commercial traction across priority sectors. The year also saw over 3,100 applications from entrepreneurs across more than 20 countries, highlighting the growing global appetite to build from the UAE capital. Notably, startups from the US, UK, and Germany constituted nearly 63% of Cohort 16, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a gateway between established tech hubs and emerging markets. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-records-%242.17-billion-in-startup-funding-as-abu-dhabi-rises-among-global-tech-hubs?utm_source=openai))
  3. https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-strengthens-abu-dhabis-thriving-tech-ecosystem-with-its-latest-cohort – Hub71 welcomed 27 startups in its 16th cohort, collectively raising over $145 million in funding. This addition brings the total number of ventures supported by Hub71 to 357. The cohort includes startups across key priority sectors, reinforcing Hub71’s commitment to diversifying Abu Dhabi’s economy through technology and innovation. Notably, 63% of the selected startups are headquartered outside the UAE, highlighting Hub71’s success in attracting high-growth international startups. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-strengthens-abu-dhabis-thriving-tech-ecosystem-with-its-latest-cohort?utm_source=openai))
  4. https://www.arabianbusiness.com/startup/abu-dhabi-startups-hub71-firms-raise-2-45bn-as-tech-ecosystem-expands – Aurum, a startup based in Abu Dhabi, has developed advanced solutions for the financial services sector and recently raised $7 million in total funding. The company’s AI-driven product, Workflow Builder, enables institutions to create financial databases and workflows in hours or days—a process that traditionally takes months. Vivan Therapeutics, a biotechnology company founded by Laura Towart, has raised £4.6 million in capital and £3.7 million in global research grants. The company is establishing new laboratories in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with local medical centres to apply its innovative cancer-treatment technologies. Towart explained that Vivan’s platform analyses tumour fingerprints to identify the best treatment combinations for each patient, resulting in more accurate, less toxic, and cost-effective therapies. She credited Abu Dhabi’s flexible regulatory environment for supporting the swift deployment of cutting-edge biotech solutions. ([arabianbusiness.com](https://www.arabianbusiness.com/startup/abu-dhabi-startups-hub71-firms-raise-2-45bn-as-tech-ecosystem-expands?utm_source=openai))
  5. https://english.mubasher.info/news/4438926/Hub71-records-2-1bn-in-startup-funding-during-2024/ – In 2024, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, recorded $2.17 billion in startup funding, marking a 44.7% increase from the previous year. This performance highlights strong investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s innovation economy. Revenue generated by startups grew to $1.20 billion, up from $1 billion in 2023. Hub71 received more than 3,100 applications from entrepreneurs representing over 20 countries in 2024, reflecting the growing global appetite to build from the UAE capital. Of the 46 startups selected, around 70% came from international markets, with more than half in the Seed or Series A stages. Startups from the US, the UK, and Germany made up nearly 63% of Cohort 16, anchoring the city’s reputation as a gateway between established tech hubs and high-growth emerging markets. ([english.mubasher.info](https://english.mubasher.info/news/4438926/Hub71-records-2-1bn-in-startup-funding-during-2024/?utm_source=openai))
  6. https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-welcomes-21-startups-in-15th-cohort-to-abu-dhabi-that-have-raised-over-usd-130-million-in-funding – Hub71 welcomed 21 startups in its 15th cohort, collectively raising over $130 million in funding. This brings the total number of ventures supported by Hub71 to 243. The cohort includes startups across key sectors, reinforcing Hub71’s commitment to diversifying Abu Dhabi’s economy through technology and innovation. Notably, 80% of the selected startups are headquartered outside the UAE, highlighting Hub71’s ability to attract high-potential international startups and Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a preferred global tech hub. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-welcomes-21-startups-in-15th-cohort-to-abu-dhabi-that-have-raised-over-usd-130-million-in-funding?utm_source=openai))
  7. https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-marks-year-of-impact-with-more-than-200-startups-that-raised-almost-aed-4-5-billion-globally-from-abu-dhabi – By the end of 2022, Hub71 had onboarded more than 200 startups, collectively raising almost AED 4.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in venture capital. This achievement underscores Hub71’s impact on a global scale, with its funded ventures generating revenues of AED 3 billion (US$816 million) and securing 41 deals with corporate partners worth AED 160 million (US$43.5 million). The diverse entrepreneurial community at Hub71 spans over 20 sectors, including ClimateTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and EdTech. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-marks-year-of-impact-with-more-than-200-startups-that-raised-almost-aed-4-5-billion-globally-from-abu-dhabi?utm_source=openai))

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:
3

Notes:
The narrative appears to be recycled content, with similar reports published on October 12, 2025, and earlier. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is October 12, 2025. The report is based on a press release from Hub71, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the repetition across multiple low-quality sites and clickbait networks raises concerns about originality. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([famedelivered.com](https://famedelivered.com/woolworths-announces-strategy-to-cease-sales-of-popular-dubai-chocolate-following-aldis-introduction-of-a-7-99-alternative/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score:
2

Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71. These quotes appear to be identical to those found in earlier reports, indicating potential reuse of content. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from April 24, 2025. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-records-%242.17-billion-in-startup-funding-as-abu-dhabi-rises-among-global-tech-hubs?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score:
2

Notes:
The narrative originates from FAME Delivered, an obscure, unverifiable, single-outlet platform. This raises concerns about the reliability of the source. Additionally, the report mentions specific startups and individuals, but without verifiable online presence or legitimate websites, their authenticity cannot be confirmed. This lack of verification suggests potential fabrication.

Plausability check

Score:
4

Notes:
The narrative makes claims about Hub71’s growth and the success of its startups, including specific funding amounts and revenue figures. While these claims are plausible, they lack supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which raises questions about their accuracy. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, and the structure does not include excessive or off-topic detail. However, the lack of corroborating sources and the reliance on a single, potentially unreliable source diminish the overall credibility.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative fails due to recycled content, unverifiable sources, and a lack of supporting detail from reputable outlets. The reliance on a single, potentially unreliable source and the repetition across multiple low-quality sites further diminish its credibility.

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