Hub71 Turns 27 International Startups Into An Abu Dhabi Licensing Test
Hub71 selected 27 startups from 2,453 applications across 112 countries, with every Cohort 18 company headquartered outside the UAE and now moving through Abu Dhabi licensing.
Hub71 Picks An All-International Startup Cohort
Hub71 has selected 27 startups for Cohort 18 of its Access Programme after receiving a record 2,453 applications from 112 countries.
For the first time, all selected companies are headquartered outside the UAE, turning the cohort into a test of Abu Dhabi's ability to convert global founder interest into licensed local operations.
The companies are now undergoing licensing and setting up operations in Abu Dhabi.
Hub71 said the selected group has already raised nearly AED 844.7 million in total funding, while the average funding per company stands at AED 31.2 million.
Cohort 18 therefore gives Abu Dhabi a company pipeline with existing capital behind it, not only early interest from founders.
Specialist Tracks Show Abu Dhabi's Sector Priorities
The cohort will enter Hub71's sector-agnostic Access Programme and its specialist ecosystems for Digital Assets, ClimateTech and Life Sciences.
Seven startups are joining Hub71+ Life Sciences, six are entering Hub71+ Digital Assets, and five are joining Hub71+ ClimateTech.
That split keeps the programme close to regulated finance, climate and health innovation.
It also gives Abu Dhabi a way to direct international startup relocation toward sectors where government partners, regulators, corporate customers and investors can shape market entry.
Funding Figures Put Commercial Weight Behind The Intake
The applications produced a 1.1 per cent acceptance rate, while 31 per cent of applications were referred through Hub71's partner and founder networks.
Hub71 named several funded companies in the cohort, including US-based EchoTwin AI, Kenya's Duck, UK-based Amilis, Sweden's Wingbits and UK-based Persium.
The larger ticket in the group is KPay, a fintech platform from Hong Kong that has raised AED 238.7 million and is expanding operations from Abu Dhabi to support businesses in payments and financial operations.
Hub71 also cited Indian startups Uravu Labs and Endimension Technology, pointing to the UAE-India innovation corridor under CEPA.
Licensing Will Decide Whether Relocation Becomes Scale
Hub71's 12-month Access Programme combines incentives with market support.
Each selected company can receive AED 250,000 as in-kind support and another AED 250,000 in cash through a SAFE note, alongside mentorship, investor introductions, regulatory support and access to corporate and government partners.
Top-performing startups may qualify for follow-on support.
The programme now lists 525 companies across the Hub71 ecosystem.
The commercial burden for Cohort 18 is whether these international startups can turn licensing, incentives and introductions into Abu Dhabi-based customers, regulated operations and repeatable revenue from the emirate.
