Hub71’s latest cohort highlights Abu Dhabi’s shift to a global startup hub with record diversity and scale

Hub71 has broadening its international scope quite a bit with the selection of 27 startups for Cohort 18 of its Access Programme, after a record-breaking 2,453 applications from 112 different countries.

This intake really marks a notable shift for Abu Dhabi’s flagship tech ecosystem: for the first time ever, every company picked is based outside the UAE. That detail , well, at least to me , really emphasises how the capital is increasingly being seen not just as a local market, but as a hatchery for global expansion. It kind of places Abu Dhabi on the map as a serious player on the international startup scene.

Hub71 mentioned that collectively, these startups have raised close to $230 million, which works out to about $8.5 million per company on average. That’s quite a significant sum, and it signals that the cohort is made up of businesses that are no longer just in the early experimental phase; they’re now aiming for real commercial traction. I mean, it’s pretty handy when startups are already past the seed stage and looking to scale.

Ahmad Ali Alwan, the CEO of Hub71, commented that Cohort 18 continues the trend of founders choosing Abu Dhabi as a building ground. He explained that the companies in this batch are working on technologies with obvious market applications and strong potential to grow big. He also noted that Hub71’s goal is to support these founders in winning customers and attracting investment, then helping them expand from Abu Dhabi into the wider world.

With an acceptance rate of just 1.1%, this cohort ranks among the most competitive so far. It highlights the growing fight among founders who want access to Abu Dhabi’s funding channels, corporate collaborations, and regulatory support. Interestingly enough, this makes sense given how attractive the ecosystem has become.

The startups will join either the broad Access Programme or specialised communities dedicated to digital assets, climate tech, or life sciences. For example, seven companies were selected for Hub71+ Life Sciences, six for Hub71+ Digital Assets, and five for Hub71+ ClimateTech, with the rest joining the wider programme. It’s a pretty diverse mix.

Among the names to watch are EchoTwin AI, a US-based firm developing digital twin software for municipal infrastructure monitoring, and Wingbits, a Swedish company with a real-time flight tracking platform. Also notable is Amilis from the UK, working on AI-enabled reproductive health tools. Hub71 also highlighted Indian startups Uravu Labs and Endimension Technology, as well as three companies from Hong Kong that had previously taken part in its Hong Kong Immersion Programme.

The fact that the cohort spans such a wide geographic and sector range really demonstrates how Hub71’s appeal isn’t confined anymore , it’s reaching across continents and different stages of startup growth. The companies hail from India, Kenya, Sweden, Hong Kong, the UK, and the US.

The 12-month Access Programme offers selected startups support valued at up to AED 500,000 , which mixes in-kind incentives with actual funding. Besides that, it provides access to mentors, investors, regulators, and corporate partners. For startups breaking into new markets, that kind of local validation and network can be huge.

For Abu Dhabi, this latest batch really underlines a broader policy goal: transforming the emirate into a recognised tech hub that attracts founders from all over the world and connects them to its infrastructure and public sector partnerships. Since launching in 2019 under the UAE’s Ghadan 21 initiative, Hub71 has positioned itself as a springboard for startups aiming to scale globally.

According to Hub71, the ecosystem now hosts 525 startups , that’s more than double the 260 they reported mid-2023, so the growth has been pretty rapid. It reflects Abu Dhabi’s relentless push to establish itself as a key destination for tech companies, especially those looking for a bridge connecting the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America.

Meanwhile, the timing of this cohort is interesting, given how climate tech remains a strategic focus for investors and policymakers across the Gulf. Hub71’s dedicated climate tech ecosystem is designed to support startups working on tools for decarbonisation, resilience, and resource efficiency , areas that tie closely to the UAE’s broader clean energy ambitions.

Digital assets and life sciences are still part of the mix as well, indicating that Hub71 isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket. Instead, it’s pursuing a diversified approach which might help the ecosystem avoid getting overexposed to any single trend, while also facilitating more varied routes to market.

For the startups themselves, the challenge now is turning their admission into momentum. Hub71 says these companies are currently wrapping up licensing procedures and setting up operations in Abu Dhabi. If they pull it off, Cohort 18 will not only deepen the local ecosystem but also boost Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a true launchpad for globally minded founders.