Held under the theme “Impactful Momentum”, the annual event celebrated cross-sector collaboration spanning government, venture capital, and entrepreneurship — setting the stage for Abu Dhabi’s next phase of innovation-driven growth.
Hub71+ Life Sciences
At the event, Hub71 announced the launch of Hub71+ Life Sciences, a new specialist ecosystem designed to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovations in BioTech, MedTech, and digital health.
The platform connects founders directly with regulators, hospitals, investors, and industry partners, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global launchpad for life sciences startups.
From early clinical validation to market access, founders will tap into the emirate’s integrated healthcare cluster to transform scientific advances into real-world outcomes.
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said: “Since 2019, Hub71 has supported hundreds of startups that have helped shape Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape.
“With Hub71+ Life Sciences, we are channeling that experience into a dedicated environment where founders, researchers, market players, and investors can collaborate to advance healthcare innovation.
“The initiative targets startups developing breakthrough solutions in HealthTech, BioTech, and life sciences, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role in driving global healthcare innovation.”
HealthTech innovation
The ecosystem launches in strategic alignment with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE), and the HELM cluster (Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine), all of which are building a high-functioning life sciences economy anchored in Abu Dhabi.
DoH, EDE, and HELM — developed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) — join as Founding Partners, while the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and Ultrahuman serve as Anchor Partners.
A total of 12 partners will collaborate with startups on regulatory support, pilot projects, and funding opportunities to bring transformative healthcare innovations to market.
The launch aligns with projections that the MENA healthcare market will reach $412bn by 2032, underscoring strong regional demand for medical innovation.
Expanding AI innovation and venture support
In parallel, Hub71 expanded its Hub71+ AI ecosystem, adding 15 new strategic partners to its growing network of 24 investors, corporates, and government entities, including the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and BECO Capital as Anchor Partners.
The growth of Hub71+ AI supports Abu Dhabi’s goal of becoming the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, positioning the emirate as a global testbed for responsible AI development.
Hub71 also launched Initiate, a new programme for early-stage founders developed with SC Ventures and VentureOne.
The initiative provides hands-on venture-building expertise to help entrepreneurs validate ideas, build business models, and prepare for scale — creating a full pathway from concept to market-ready startup.
Alwan said the event’s announcements demonstrate Abu Dhabi’s commitment to fostering an innovation ecosystem that delivers long-term impact.
He said: “Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem continues to be shaped by a shared purpose of driving impact through innovation and collaboration.
“The launches we announced today reflect how far we have come in our mission to expand opportunities for founders and entrepreneurs and how we are strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a platform for technology growth.
“We are building an ecosystem that fosters innovation and ensures its long-term growth.”
New partnerships and funding
At the Impact Event, Hub71 revealed several strategic agreements designed to unlock new financing and pilot opportunities for startups across sectors.
A collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) integrates the Anjal Z initiative into Hub71’s Access Programme, providing five seats in Cohort 19 and AED3m ($816,000) in pilot funding for startups developing early-childhood solutions.
Each participating startup will also receive up to AED500,000 ($136,000) in incentives and access to Hub71’s market networks and investor community.
In partnership with Numou, an ADGM subsidiary, Hub71 introduced a Procurement Financing initiative to improve SME liquidity by enabling easier access to working capital, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s efforts to support small business growth.
The event also welcomed eight leading Web3 startups from Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi through the Hub71 x Hong Kong Immersion Programme, strengthening cross-border collaboration between Asian and Middle Eastern innovation ecosystems.
Hub71’s wider community now includes almost 300 startups that have collectively raised AED9bn ($2.45bn) and generated AED5bn ($1.36bn) in revenue, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the MENA region’s fastest-growing startup markets.
The addition of Hub71+ Life Sciences brings the number of specialist ecosystems to four — alongside Hub71+ AI, Hub71+ Digital Assets, and Hub71+ ClimateTech — each designed to unlock innovation in high-priority sectors.
Through these initiatives, Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its role as a global innovation capital, bridging the worlds of entrepreneurship, investment, and research to build the industries of the future.
