5:03 am - September 2, 2025
Abu Dhabi is rapidly positioning itself as a leading global centre for artificial intelligence startups, supported by strategic government initiatives, international collaborations, and a burgeoning ecosystem that aims to rival established tech hubs with innovative, sector-specific infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi is quickly emerging as a key global hub for artificial intelligence (AI) startups, with its state-backed ecosystem, Hub71, playing a crucial role in attracting and helping scale promising ventures. Launched in 2019 with backing from the sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Hub71 has expanded its AI portfolio to include 53 companies by this year. The emirate seems to be positioning itself—well, at least to me—as a stable and compelling alternative to more established tech centers that are currently facing regulatory hurdles and economic uncertainties.
Peter Abou Hachem, who is the Head of Growth and Strategy at Hub71, emphasized Abu Dhabi’s strategic focus on AI. He pointed out that the emirate’s strengths—its computing capabilities, energy resources, talented workforce, and sovereign investments—all play into this big-picture vision. “Our goal is to help create the next OpenAI right here in the emirate,” he told Arabian Business—pretty ambitious, right? This idea is reflected in the diversity of new AI companies emerging, spanning areas like genomics, enterprise software, and healthcare—sectors that are becoming top priorities alongside AI, climate tech, and digital assets.
Building sector-specific infrastructure and clear regulations has been vital in nurturing Abu Dhabi’s startup scene. Abou Hachem noted, “Whenever you see Abu Dhabi developing infrastructure in a sector, we also build the startup ecosystem to match.” He explained that startups tend not to take off unless customers, investors, and regulators are already in place—so it’s a holistic approach. Initiatives like the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) have played a part by providing clearer rules for establishing funds and virtual assets, which helps companies that want a more predictable environment compared to regions like the US, UK, Hong Kong, or Switzerland—especially with the tougher regulations those places are implementing.
The growth of Hub71 mirrors broader trends across the UAE’s entrepreneurial landscape. The government’s “Projects of the 50” initiative has poured around $8.7 billion into innovation sectors, helping the UAE rank as the top country globally for entrepreneurship for the fourth year in a row, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024–2025 Report. The UAE also scored highly for government support, access to financing, infrastructure, and ease of regulation. All this makes the country one of the most conducive environments in the world for startups—so, no surprise it’s garnering so much attention.
And the economic impact is pretty evident. In 2024, companies within Hub71 generated AED 4.5 billion (about $1.2 billion) in revenue and attracted billions in funding. The ecosystem grew nearly 30% this year alone. According to the Hub71 2024 Impact Report, startups saw funding increase by 44.7% year-over-year, reaching roughly $2.17 billion. They also made 91 deals with corporations worth AED 103 million ($28 million), helping their commercialization and scaling efforts, especially in areas like smart mobility, digital health, food innovation, and alternative proteins. This progress has been partly driven by programs like the Regulatory Sandbox, which works with local authorities to help startups test and develop new ideas.
In December 2024, Abu Dhabi further upped its AI game with the launch of Hub71+ AI—a dedicated ecosystem supporting cross-sector AI innovation. This project is backed by major global tech players such as AWS, Google for Startups, Nvidia, HPE, Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and 42 Abu Dhabi. The goal? To give AI startups access to top-tier infrastructure, tools, and resources to help them grow in a competitive global economy. Between 2021 and 2023, AI companies in Abu Dhabi grew at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 67%. And during the first half of 2024, around one new AI startup was being launched every two days—that’s pretty remarkable, don’t you think? It clearly shows the sector’s rapid expansion.
This momentum got a further boost in May 2025 when Hub71 teamed up with Google to kick off the Google for Startups Accelerator program. The first group included 28 AI-focused startups from Hub71’s community. The program offers an intensive three-month curriculum and connects participants with Google’s network of mentors, engineers, and product leaders. It also provides up to $300,000 in Google Cloud credits—the highest level of support ever offered through Google’s accelerator—along with seed funding and tailored mentoring from Hub71 itself. The aim? To empower these AI startups to scale and go global—affirming Abu Dhabi’s ambition to build companies here that can compete worldwide.
Core42 and AI71 have also become key partners in Hub71+ AI, offering cloud computing credits—think Microsoft’s Azure Sovereign Public Cloud and Falcon’s large language models, respectively. These partnerships give startups access to cutting-edge infrastructure and AI models, supporting both development and regulatory compliance. It’s all about creating a robust technical environment for startups to thrive at the intersection of innovation, research, and regulation.
By the end of 2024, Abu Dhabi’s startup scene was valued at around $4.4 billion—an increase of roughly 6% from the previous year—ranking third in the Middle East and North Africa, and placing it somewhere between 51st and 60th globally, according to the Startup Genome’s Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2025. As the focus shifts from rapid growth to nurturing mature firms, Hub71’s leadership is emphasizing the importance of global market reach and building companies that could be valued at billions.
All in all, Abu Dhabi’s AI startup ecosystem benefits hugely from a combined recipe of strategic government backing, sovereign investments, international partnerships, and a forward-looking regulatory environment. While many traditional tech hubs are unsettled by geopolitical uncertainties and new regulations, Abu Dhabi’s approach—centered around Hub71 and its AI initiatives—positions it as a resilient and competitive global player. Its trajectory is part of a larger national vision to anchor economic transformation around advanced tech sectors like AI, healthcare, and climate tech. Essentially, Abu Dhabi is swiftly becoming an exciting destination for founders and investors eager to scale innovative ideas and make an impact worldwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.arabianbusiness.com/startup/abu-dhabi-attracts-ai-start-ups-as-global-hubs-stumble – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/abu-dhabi-launches-hub71-plus-ai-to-advance-startups-driving-ai-innovation – In December 2024, Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 launched Hub71+ AI, a specialist ecosystem designed to support startups harnessing cross-sector AI innovation. The initiative aims to provide AI startups with the necessary infrastructure and resources to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Between 2021 and 2023, the number of AI companies in Abu Dhabi increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 67%. Hub71+ AI is set to accelerate this momentum by supporting startups and developing the infrastructure required to drive AI adoption across various sectors. The ecosystem is backed by a network of leading partners, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google for Startups, Nvidia, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and 42 Abu Dhabi. These partnerships aim to support the specialist ecosystem and advance the growth of AI startups, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation, underpinned by advanced technology.
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/google-for-startups-accelerator-programme-welcomes-28-hub71-ventures-to-advance-ai-innovation-from-abu-dhabi – In May 2025, Hub71 and Google launched the Google for Startups Accelerator, a joint programme to scale AI-focused startups within Hub71+ AI, the ecosystem’s specialist vertical, and drive innovation across high-impact sectors from Abu Dhabi. A total of 28 startups from the Hub71 community were selected to join the inaugural cohort, gaining access to a tailored three-month curriculum. Startups received access to Google’s global network of mentors, engineers, product leaders, and Google Cloud credits. Top-performing startups were eligible for up to $300,000 in credits, the highest tier of support available through the programme globally. These startups, already based within the Hub71 community, had previously benefited from up to AED 500,000 in funding support, including AED 250,000 in in-kind support services, AED 250,000 in cash via a SAFE note, and tailored mentorship. Through the Google for Startups Accelerator, they gained access to a powerful network of partners, technical experts, and business development opportunities within the Hub71+ AI ecosystem, further strengthening their ability to scale globally from Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/article/biz53mu-uae-ranks-1st-globally-global-entrepreneurship – In April 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was ranked first globally for the fourth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025. The report also ranked the UAE as the best place for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises among 56 economies assessed this year. The UAE secured the top position among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key indicators based on expert assessments of institutional frameworks supporting the entrepreneurial environment. The areas in which the UAE excelled globally included: entrepreneurial finance, ease of access to funding, government policies supporting entrepreneurship, government policies on taxes and bureaucracy, government entrepreneurship programmes, entrepreneurship education at school level and post-school level, research and development transfer, commercial and professional infrastructure, ease of market entry in terms of regulatory burdens, and social and cultural norms related to entrepreneurship.
- https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-records-2-17-billion-in-startup-funding-as-abu-dhabi-rises-among-global-tech-hubs – In April 2025, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, released its 2024 Impact Report, marking a year of record-breaking growth, international recognition, and strategic ecosystem expansion. As of 2024, Hub71 startups recorded $2.17 billion (AED 8.02 billion) in funding, a 44.7% year-on-year increase from $1.5 billion (AED 5.4 billion) in 2023, demonstrating strong investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s innovation economy. Revenue generated by startups also climbed to $1.2 billion (AED 4.5 billion), up from $1 billion (AED 3.5 billion) the previous year, reflecting sustained commercial traction across priority sectors. Beyond funding, strategic partnerships remained a key pillar of Hub71’s value proposition, playing a critical role in helping startups gain traction. In 2024, startups signed 91 corporate deals with government and private sector partners worth $28 million (AED 103 million), accelerating their ability to scale and commercialize their solutions. Programs like the Regulatory Sandbox, co-developed with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Abu Dhabi Mobility, and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), enabled startups to pilot cutting-edge technologies in sectors such as smart mobility, digital health, food innovation, and alternative proteins.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/abu-dhabi-launches-hub71-ai-to-advance-startups-driving-ai-innovation-e0vcqj6e – In December 2024, Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 launched Hub71+ AI, a specialist ecosystem designed to support startups harnessing cross-sector AI innovation. The initiative aims to provide AI startups with the necessary infrastructure and resources to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Between 2021 and 2023, the number of AI companies in Abu Dhabi increased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 67%. Furthermore, studies indicate that, on average, one AI company was established every two days in Abu Dhabi during the first half of 2024. Hub71+ AI is set to accelerate this momentum by supporting startups and developing the infrastructure required to drive AI adoption across various sectors. The ecosystem is backed by a network of leading partners, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google for Startups, Nvidia, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and 42 Abu Dhabi. These partnerships aim to support the specialist ecosystem and advance the growth of AI startups, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s economic transformation, underpinned by advanced technology.
- https://www.financemiddleeast.com/start-up-and-entrepreneurship/abu-dhabi-launches-hub71-ai-to-support-startups-and-innovation/ – In December 2024, Abu Dhabi launched Hub71+ AI, a dedicated ecosystem designed to support artificial intelligence (AI) startups. The initiative aims to provide startups with the infrastructure and resources necessary to advance AI innovation across sectors, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader economic goals. Core42 and AI71 joined as anchor partners of Hub71+ AI. Core42 provided startups with access to cloud credits and advanced digital infrastructure, including deployments of training and inference capacity in the UAE, USA, and other regions. Its Sovereign Public Cloud, leveraging Microsoft Azure, supported startups working in regulated industries and the public sector. Core42 also connected startups to G42’s broader ecosystem, including Presight, M42, AIQ, CPX, and Space42. AI71 provided compute power credits through its API Hub, granting pay-as-you-go access to the Falcon series of large language models and other tools. The company also offered technical support from its team of AI researchers to assist startups in scaling their projects. Hub71+ AI was further backed by strategic partners, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google for Startups, Nvidia, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), and 42 Abu Dhabi. These partnerships provided startups with access to technology infrastructure, industry expertise, and research and development opportunities.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments in Abu Dhabi’s AI startup ecosystem, including the addition of 13 new AI-focused startups in the first half of 2025, bringing the total to 53. ([economymiddleeast.com](https://economymiddleeast.com/news/abu-dhabi-hub71-attracts-13-ai-focused-start-ups-h1-2025/?utm_source=openai)) The article also highlights Abu Dhabi’s strategic focus on AI, with initiatives like Hub71+ AI launched in December 2024. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/abu-dhabi-launches-hub71-plus-ai-to-advance-startups-driving-ai-innovation?utm_source=openai)) The content appears to be original and not recycled from other sources.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Peter Abou Hachem, Head of Growth and Strategy at Hub71, emphasizing Abu Dhabi’s strategic focus on AI and the aim to create the next OpenAI. A search for these quotes reveals no exact matches in earlier publications, suggesting they are original to this narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Arabian Business, a reputable news outlet covering Middle East affairs. While the source is generally reliable, it’s advisable to cross-reference with other reputable outlets for comprehensive verification.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about Abu Dhabi’s rapid growth in AI startups and strategic initiatives align with other reputable sources. For instance, Hub71’s 2024 Impact Report indicates a 44.7% year-on-year increase in startup funding, with revenue climbing to $1.2 billion. ([hub71.com](https://www.hub71.com/latest-news/press-release/hub71-records-%242.17-billion-in-startup-funding-as-abu-dhabi-rises-among-global-tech-hubs?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s tone and language are consistent with typical corporate communications, and there are no signs of excessive or off-topic detail.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative provides a timely and original account of Abu Dhabi’s burgeoning AI startup ecosystem, supported by direct quotes and corroborated by other reputable sources. The source is generally reliable, and the claims made are plausible and consistent with available data.
