Blab Tech
Hub71 Welcomes 27 Global Startups to Cohort 18, Marking First All-International Intake
Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s flagship tech ecosystem, has just opened its doors to 27 startups from around the world, making Cohort 18 the first group where every participant is headquartered outside the United Arab Emirates. The announcement follows a record‑breaking 2,453 applications from 112 countries, underscoring the hub’s growing appeal to global founders.
The 27 companies bring together nearly $230 million in funding, averaging $8.5 million each, and the acceptance rate for this round was a tight 1.1 percent. “Cohort 18 reflects the continued flow of startups choosing to build from Abu Dhabi. The companies joining us are developing technologies with clear market application and the ability to scale,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71.
While the Access Programme is open to all sectors, Hub71 also runs specialist ecosystems for digital assets, climate technology, and life sciences. For Cohort 18, seven startups were placed in Hub71+ Life Sciences, six in Hub71+ Digital Assets, and five in Hub71+ ClimateTech.
The cohort’s geographic spread is broad: India, Kenya, Sweden, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Highlights include EchoTwin AI from the United States, which offers a digital‑twin platform for monitoring municipal infrastructure; Wingbits, a Swedish real‑time flight‑tracking service; Amilis, a UK‑based AI‑powered reproductive‑health startup; and India’s Uravu Labs and Endimension Technology, both alumni of Hub71’s Hong Kong Immersion Programme.
Each startup will participate in Hub71’s 12‑month Access Programme, which can provide up to AED 500,000 in support—combining in‑kind incentives and cash funding. The package also offers access to mentors, investors, regulators, and corporate partners, giving founders a comprehensive toolkit to accelerate growth.
With Cohort 18, Hub71’s ecosystem now includes 525 startups, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the fastest‑growing technology hubs in the Middle East and North Africa. The program’s focus on international entrants signals Hub71’s intent to attract mature, globally‑oriented companies that can leverage the UAE’s strategic location and regulatory environment to scale into wider markets.
Industry observers note that the average funding level of $8.5 million per company is higher than the average for early‑stage cohorts in the region, suggesting that Hub71 is drawing more advanced startups. The 1.1 percent acceptance rate also reflects the hub’s growing reputation among global founders.
Hub71’s leadership has emphasized the importance of a comprehensive support package, including mentorship, investor introductions, and regulatory guidance. The 12‑month programme is designed to help startups achieve commercial traction and secure additional capital.
As the cohort embarks on its journey, stakeholders will watch how the selected companies leverage Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, talent pool, and market access to expand their operations. The outcome of Cohort 18 could shape future funding flows and partnership opportunities for other international startups considering the UAE as a launchpad.
The hub’s next steps involve integrating the new startups into its community, facilitating networking events, and connecting them with potential investors and corporate partners. Hub71 has not yet announced specific dates for the cohort’s first cohort‑wide event.
In short, Hub71’s Cohort 18 marks a milestone for the Abu Dhabi startup ecosystem: an all‑international intake, a record number of applications, and a high average funding level. The 27 selected startups will receive a mix of financial support and ecosystem services over the next year, positioning them to scale from Abu Dhabi into global markets.
The 27 companies bring together nearly $230 million in funding, averaging $8.5 million each, and the acceptance rate for this round was a tight 1.1 percent. “Cohort 18 reflects the continued flow of startups choosing to build from Abu Dhabi. The companies joining us are developing technologies with clear market application and the ability to scale,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71.
While the Access Programme is open to all sectors, Hub71 also runs specialist ecosystems for digital assets, climate technology, and life sciences. For Cohort 18, seven startups were placed in Hub71+ Life Sciences, six in Hub71+ Digital Assets, and five in Hub71+ ClimateTech.
The cohort’s geographic spread is broad: India, Kenya, Sweden, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Highlights include EchoTwin AI from the United States, which offers a digital‑twin platform for monitoring municipal infrastructure; Wingbits, a Swedish real‑time flight‑tracking service; Amilis, a UK‑based AI‑powered reproductive‑health startup; and India’s Uravu Labs and Endimension Technology, both alumni of Hub71’s Hong Kong Immersion Programme.
Each startup will participate in Hub71’s 12‑month Access Programme, which can provide up to AED 500,000 in support—combining in‑kind incentives and cash funding. The package also offers access to mentors, investors, regulators, and corporate partners, giving founders a comprehensive toolkit to accelerate growth.
With Cohort 18, Hub71’s ecosystem now includes 525 startups, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the fastest‑growing technology hubs in the Middle East and North Africa. The program’s focus on international entrants signals Hub71’s intent to attract mature, globally‑oriented companies that can leverage the UAE’s strategic location and regulatory environment to scale into wider markets.
Industry observers note that the average funding level of $8.5 million per company is higher than the average for early‑stage cohorts in the region, suggesting that Hub71 is drawing more advanced startups. The 1.1 percent acceptance rate also reflects the hub’s growing reputation among global founders.
Hub71’s leadership has emphasized the importance of a comprehensive support package, including mentorship, investor introductions, and regulatory guidance. The 12‑month programme is designed to help startups achieve commercial traction and secure additional capital.
As the cohort embarks on its journey, stakeholders will watch how the selected companies leverage Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure, talent pool, and market access to expand their operations. The outcome of Cohort 18 could shape future funding flows and partnership opportunities for other international startups considering the UAE as a launchpad.
The hub’s next steps involve integrating the new startups into its community, facilitating networking events, and connecting them with potential investors and corporate partners. Hub71 has not yet announced specific dates for the cohort’s first cohort‑wide event.
In short, Hub71’s Cohort 18 marks a milestone for the Abu Dhabi startup ecosystem: an all‑international intake, a record number of applications, and a high average funding level. The 27 selected startups will receive a mix of financial support and ecosystem services over the next year, positioning them to scale from Abu Dhabi into global markets.
