26 Startups, US$223M: Is Abu Dhabi the New AI Hub?

Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global tech hub, recently welcomed its 17th cohort of startups, and it's a big deal. For the first time, this group of 26 high-growth startups has collectively raised over US$223 million, marking the largest funding total of any Hub71 cohort to date.

What's really interesting is that over 80 percent of these companies are using AI to solve problems in key sectors like HealthTech, FinTech, and ClimateTech. This focus on AI highlights Abu Dhabi's growing importance in the global AI scene, especially with the launch of Hub71+ AI, a specialist ecosystem designed to support AI breakthroughs.

This new group of founders comes from 12 different countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, and over 70 percent of them are from outside the UAE. This shows that Abu Dhabi is becoming a go-to destination for ambitious founders who want to access capital and grow their businesses.

Among the new startups is Harmonic Discovery, a US-based biotech company that uses AI to create targeted treatments for difficult diseases. They've already raised US$8.5 million. Another notable name is Planys Technologies from India, which builds autonomous underwater robots for inspections and has raised US$7.2 million.

Beyond the AI focus, six startups in the cohort are tackling environmental issues and will be part of the Hub71+ ClimateTech ecosystem. One of them is SunGreenH2 from Singapore, which is developing technology to produce green hydrogen and has secured US$6.6 million in funding.

The startups are joining Hub71's Access program, which provides them with up to US$136,000 (AED 500,000) in support. Top-performing startups can also receive up to an additional US$272,000 (AED 1 million) after their first year. The program also gives them access to a network of investors, talent, and business opportunities, helping them scale up from Abu Dhabi.

This latest cohort confirms Hub71's growing appeal and Abu Dhabi's rising influence in the world of technology and AI.