Hub71 Welcomes Record AI-Focused Startup Cohort with $223m in Funding

Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, has unveiled its most artificial intelligence-driven cohort to date, bringing in 26 startups that have collectively raised more than $223 million (AED 818 million) — the largest funding total ever secured by a single intake.

The 17th cohort, selected from over 2,000 applications worldwide, features companies from 12 countries including the U.S., U.K., Singapore, France, Canada, Egypt and India. Nearly three-quarters of the startups are headquartered outside the UAE, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s growing international appeal as a launchpad for technology ventures.

AI is at the core of this year’s selection, with 81 percent of companies leveraging the technology to address global challenges in healthcare, finance, energy and climate solutions. Most of the entrants are early-stage firms, but all have demonstrated strong funding and scalable business models.

“Backed by strong funding and building technologies with broad market applications, they are pursuing growth globally,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71. “Their decision to build from Abu Dhabi highlights the strength of our ecosystem and its position as a global launchpad for innovation.”

Diverse Innovations in Focus

Among the most notable additions is Harmonic Discovery, a U.S.-based biotech firm using AI to design precision therapies for hard-to-treat diseases such as sickle cell, with $8.5 million in backing. India’s Planys Technologies has raised $7.2 million to develop underwater robots and smart sensors that enable diver-free infrastructure inspections.

Sustainability solutions are also a major feature of the intake, with six startups tackling environmental challenges. Singapore’s SunGreenH2, for instance, secured $6.6 million to advance high-efficiency electrolysers for green hydrogen production. On the digital finance front, eight companies are building blockchain and Web3 products, including UAE-based Resolv Labs, which raised $12.5 million for its crypto investment platform.

Other ventures in the new cohort range from marine robotics and renewable energy systems to workforce intelligence tools and next-generation fintech platforms.

Expanding Abu Dhabi’s Tech Ecosystem

Startups in Cohort 17 will receive extensive support through Hub71’s accelerator programme, including incentives of up to AED 500,000 and potential follow-on backing of AED 1 million for top performers. They will also gain access to a wide network of investors, corporate partners and talent pools, alongside Abu Dhabi’s specialist ecosystems such as Hub71+ AI, backed by AI71, Core42, Amazon Web Services and Google for Startups.

Passenger traffic through Abu Dhabi has been steadily rising, and the city is rapidly positioning itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in AI. The arrival of this record-breaking cohort further cements its ambition to become a global centre for emerging technologies.

By combining strong capital backing with cutting-edge solutions, Hub71’s newest startups are expected to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and sustainable technology worldwide.