In brief
Hub71 selected 40 startups from 117 countries, a 1.6% acceptance rate from 2,502 applications, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s commitment to climate‑friendly innovation. Most companies operate in the ecosystem’s priority sectors, including climate technology, life sciences, and Smart Autonomous Vehicles, while 90% incorporate AI at their core. The cohort’s 40 companies collectively raised a combined $296 million, and several are advancing solutions for early childhood through the Anjal Z initiative.
Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, declared that 40 startups will join its 19th cohort, the largest intake to date and the result of 2,502 applications from 117 countries. The cohort’s acceptance rate, 1.6 percent, reflects a highly selective process that prioritizes companies built around Abu Dhabi’s economic goals and sustainable innovation.
Collectively these new entrants have raised US$296 million—about AED1.09 billion—underscoring the region’s growing role as a magnet for climate‑relevant technology and other future‑focused companies. Eighty‑eight percent of the selected firms hail from international markets, bringing the total number of firms embedded in Hub71 to 644.
Hub71 CEO Ahmad Ali Alwan said the new cohort “reflects the growing depth and maturity of the companies joining Hub71, with founders building across increasingly specialised sectors. They add new expertise, technologies and perspectives to the community, while gaining access to the capital, partners and market opportunities that can help them build enduring companies.”
The cohort spans pre‑seed through series A, with more than two‑thirds of the startups operating in Hub71’s priority sectors. AI stands out as a common thread: 90 percent of the companies use artificial intelligence at the core of their offerings, providing a data‑driven edge to solutions ranging from atmospheric monitoring to precision agriculture.
All 40 firms are slated to join Hub71’s Access Programme. Twelve will run its sector‑agnostic track, while 19 enter specialist ecosystems dedicated to digital assets, climate tech and life sciences. Six startups have progressed through Anjal Z, a partnership focused on early‑childhood challenges, and another three will move into the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry cluster.
Anjal Z’s lead, Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, highlighted the impact angle:
We should measure innovation by the difference it makes in a child’s life: a teacher who can respond sooner, a parent who can find the right support, or a child who can communicate more easily. Through Anjal Z and our partnership with Hub71, we are helping six startups test and adapt their solutions for Abu Dhabi’s children and families. Our focus is practical progress that families can see and feel.
Nine of the selected companies have already reached series A, an increase from the two companies in Cohort 18. The new cohort’s composition demonstrates a shift toward more mature, high‑growth businesses that can accelerate the deployment of climate‑friendly technologies throughout the Gulf.
Hub71’s investment in climate tech aligns with its broader strategy of positioning the United Arab Emirates as a European‑style hub of sustainability innovation. The ecosystem is designed to funnel expertise, capital, and market access to founders whose products can mitigate emissions, conserve resources, or improve resilience to climate change.
For instance, several startups in the cohort are working on AI‑driven carbon‑capture sensors that can integrate with smart city infrastructure, while others develop biodegradable materials for packaging that reduce plastic footprints. These innovations complement the UAE’s national agenda of reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions and fostering renewable energy adoption.
In addition, Hub71 will host a series of industry forums and investor pitches that specifically target VC funds interested in environmental impact. The access programme is structured to provide these companies with tailored mentorship, public‑private partnerships, and guidance on navigating regulatory frameworks for sustainable products.
Co‑founder of a life‑sciences startup remarked that being part of Hub71’s ecosystem will help them “scale research from the lab to interested healthcare providers in the region, thereby accelerating evidence‑based solutions that improve public health outcomes.”
Environmental and sustainability advocates have welcomed the expansion, citing the tangible alignment with global commitments such as the Paris Agreement. “It’s encouraging to see a major technology hub actively support climate‑centric startups that can transform societies,” a representative from a UAE‑based green‑technology coalition commented.
The record cohort also demonstrates the ecosystem’s inclusive reach; 85 percent of the new companies hail from emerging economies, offering technology transfer opportunities that could empower communities in developing regions.
With the launch of Cohort 19, Hub71 is reinforcing its mandate to serve as an incubator for green innovations that recognize environmental stewardship as a core value, while fostering a collaborative network that drives the United Arab Emirates toward a low‑carbon, resilient future.
