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HUB71: Scaling the UAE’s Tech Ecosystem

By news August 11, 2025 0 Comments 5 min read

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has emerged as a significant player in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, leveraging its position as a hub for tech innovation and entrepreneurship. One key component of this shift is HUB71, a venture created to foster a robust startup ecosystem, providing a conducive environment for early-stage companies to scale up into global leaders. In this special report, we delve into the journey of HUB71, an organization now making significant strides in helping its startups achieve success.

Partnerships That Unlock Value

Under the visionary leadership of Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of HUB71, the venture has focused on forging strategic partnerships to unlock real commercial and strategic value for its startups. This includes agreements with major organizations such as Google, the Google for Startups programme, and entities like the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and the TII.

Through its partnership with Google, HUB71 has launched the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First programme in Abu Dhabi.
Additionally, HUB71 has established partnerships with companies like HPE, AWS, and ADGM to bring together cutting-edge technologies and innovative startups.

These partnerships have helped position Abu Dhabi as a key player in the global AI ecosystem, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a rising hub for tech innovation.

Empowering Startups with Community Focus

Alwan attributes the success of HUB71 to its emphasis on community-building. He believes that by providing a shared environment and a shared mission for its founders, the venture is able to attract like-minded entrepreneurs who share the same vision. This focus on community has fostered strong bonds among its startups, enabling them to build lasting partnerships and collaborations.

With 357 startups under its umbrella, HUB71 has collectively generated $1.2 billion in revenue, created over 1,100 jobs, and attracted investments of over $2 billion.

Furthermore, the startup community at HUB71 is diverse, comprising over 20 different sectors, including AI, fintech, and clean energy.

Spotlight on Standout Startups

To further illustrate the potential of the HUB71 ecosystem, we take a closer look at some of its standout startups. These innovative companies are not only making significant strides in their respective fields but also serve as a testament to the diversity and potential of the HUB71 community.

Base2: This AI-focused startup is developing an industrial AI suite that helps large enterprises optimize operations for efficiency.
Cambio: With its large language models (LLMs) aimed at powering AI-led customer service, Cambio is poised to revolutionize the way businesses interact with their customers.
Archireaf: This 3D printing startup is using technology to reconstruct coral reefs, helping to capture blue carbon and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Specialised Ecosystems for Deepened Focus

In an effort to create a more nuanced and focused approach, HUB71 has established specialised ecosystems or “Hub71 +” verticals in areas such as climate tech, AI, and digital assets. These targeted initiatives have not only enhanced the appeal of the HUB71 ecosystem but also fostered the development of specific sectors.

With Hub71 + ClimateTech
With Hub71 + AI
With Hub71 + Digital Assets

These verticals offer a platform for startups to plug into funding, regulation, and commercial traction, allowing them to expand their reach and achieve greater success.

Scaling for Global Growth

As a critical component of its mission, HUB71 focuses on helping startups scale globally from Abu Dhabi. The emirate offers a unique set of benefits, including progressive regulations, high security, and global connectivity, which set it apart from other startup hubs.

The partnership with Google for Startups has enabled startups to access Google’s infrastructure and mentorship, empowering them to build globally competitive AI-led businesses.
The Abu Dhabi Economic Department has also supported the development of a strong network of international partnerships to facilitate the expansion of HUB71 startups into regions such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, Hong Kong, and Japan.

A Leader’s Perspective

To gain a deeper understanding of the HUB71 ecosystem, we spoke with Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of the venture. In our conversation, he emphasized the importance of embracing failure, resilience, and being one’s best self, while also acknowledging the critical role of corporate governance in helping startups achieve sustainable growth.

“The most important thing is that our founders are true believers in what we do, and that our startup ecosystem reflects the values that drive our community forward.”
“We have a very diverse range of sectors represented among our startups, which brings a wealth of opportunities for collaboration and learning.”

The Future of HUB71

As we look to the future, HUB71 is poised to expand its capabilities and achieve greater success. The venture is looking to double down on unlocking capital access for its startups, while also continuing to refine Abu Dhabi’s value proposition across various sectors.

The partnership with Google for Startups is expected to continue playing a significant role in the growth of the HUB71 ecosystem.
With a continued focus on specialising the ecosystem in key areas, HUB71 is likely to attract more global interest in the coming months.

The journey of HUB71 serves as a testament to the potential of a strategic approach to creating a thriving startup ecosystem. By fostering partnerships, empowering startups with a community focus, and creating targeted ecosystems for deepened focus, HUB71 is well-positioned to play a major role in shaping the future of the UAE’s tech industry.