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Gaining Traction, Driving Impact

At Hub71, we understand that making a lasting impact requires more than just a great idea, it also requires taking decisive action to bring that idea to life

Impact Report 2022

How Do
We Define
Impact?

The idea behind Hub71 is simple yet bold: to create a world-class platform that attracts the highest potential startups from around the world, and connects them with active investors, UAE champions, corporate giants, government entities and an array of other opportunities.
"If the gravity of the past year has taught us anything, it is the importance of economic diversification."

Message
From
Our
Leadership

star

H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi

Chairman of Hub71
chairman

While the world has navigated global macroeconomic headwinds, Abu Dhabi has not just weathered the storm, its economy has expanded.

Message
From
Our
Leadership

H.E. Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi

Chairman of Hub71
chairman
"If the gravity of the past year has taught us anything, it is the importance of economic diversification."

While the world has navigated global macroeconomic headwinds, Abu Dhabi has not just weathered the storm, its economy has expanded.

Badr
Al Olama

Acting CEO of Hub71
chairman
How many ways are there to measure impact? At Hub71, more than 1 billion."

That’s how many dollars startups based in Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem have raised collectively over the past three years.

Hub71’s Impact
in Numbers

tri triangleBlue

209

Total startups

51

Startups accepted
in 2022

18

Startups graduated

triangleBlue

21

Sectors

1,408

Applications received

265

(January – April)

423

(May – August)

700

(September – December)

42

Female founders

48

Nationalities of founders

18

Emirati founders

$1.2B

(AED 4.5 billion)

Value of funds raised by Hub71 startups to end of year 2022

33

VCs/ investors

cubeRed

$816M

(AED 3 billion)

Revenue generated by Hub71 startups to end of year 2022

923

Jobs created

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$22M

(AED 81 million)

Costs saved by startups

43

Government and
corporate partners

41

POCs signed with
corporate partners

9

New initiatives added

692

Mentorship hours
provided

$43.5M

(AED 160 million)

Value of corporate deals

128

Mentors

A Year of
Impact

three
  • Startup
    Successes
  • Building Partnerships
  • Ecosystem, programs,
    and initiatives
g1 g2 g3

Startup
Successes

g1Mobile

Building
Partnerships

g2Mobile

Ecosystem,
programs,
and initiatives

g3Mobile
global

Abu Dhabi’s accelerating tech journey

global

Success creates success and nowhere is this more evident than in Abu Dhabi’s thriving technology scene, where key ecosystem partners across government, academia and the private sector collaborating to accelerate innovation.

Hub71 helps to set the pace of change, providing access to incentives, structured programs, mentorship and talent, and access to funding.

Cumulative Hub71 startup growth histograme

Diversifying capital investment for startups

The emirate of Abu Dhabi boasts a diverse and dynamic investment landscape, including participation from sovereign wealth funds, venture capital funds, and family offices.
Total Funding Raised
statistic
Launched in October 2022, Tech Barza is an exclusive capital club for regional family offices to accelerate the transition into the venture space by accessing curated deal flow, engaging with global co-investors, networking with relevant entities, and benefiting from educational programs, through Hub71’s ecosystem.
Launched in October 2022, Tech Barza is an exclusive capital club for regional family offices to accelerate the transition into the venture space by accessing curated deal flow, engaging with global co-investors, networking with relevant entities, and benefiting from educational programs, through Hub71’s ecosystem.
Total
Funding
Raised
graphMobile

Focusing on Quality
to Create Value

Why choose between quantity and quality when you can have both? It’s certainly an approach that’s working well for Hub71.

focusing

Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem recently marked a significant milestone by welcoming 200 startups, an impressive number by any standard. But just as important as the rapidly growing pace of companies being onboarded is their quality. This is thanks to Hub71’s rigorous selection process.

Hub71 Incentive Program applications are open year-round with cut-off dates assigned for each cohort and non-relevant applications are filtered. Hub71 then screens applicants and scores them against set criteria. Thereafter, the Hub71 team meets qualified applicants, VCs and investors, as well as the relevant regulatory partners depending on the sector.

Forging Powerful Partnerships

From Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ClimateTech to cross- border collaborations and satellite communications, Hub71’s strategic partnerships with leading local and global entities are helping cement Abu Dhabi’s status as a regional innovation and technology powerhouse.
logo1
Hub71 is partnering with AIQ – the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s artificial intelligence joint venture with Group 42 – to develop new AI solutions aimed at unlocking greater value from oil and gas operations and charting a more sustainable and carbon-efficient future for the sector.
logo2
Through Hub71, startups have access to the automated legal services of Clara, a UK-based LegalTech company, as well as favorable pricing for its broader range of products, including document generation, cap table management, and predictive legal education tools.
logo3
As the UAE’s first dedicated artificial intelligence hub, the e& enterprise AI Centre of Excellence will help solidify Abu Dhabi’s leadership in AI innovation and adoption by connecting startups, companies, and investment firms, as well as developing and scaling cutting-edge AI solutions.
logo4
The strategic partnership with Emirates Post Group (EPG) aims to foster active collaborations with startups and will facilitate interactions and introductions between EPG and entrepreneurs who are leading smart businesses aimed at enhancing efficiency and productivity within the logistics sector.
logo5
The expansive partnership with GetFundedAfrica – a tech-enabled marketplace that matches startups, investors, corporations and government – aims to provide a soft-landing for Hub71 startups seeking to expand into Africa, and for startups in the continent seeking to penetrate the UAE and the Middle East region from Abu Dhabi.
logo6
The partnership between Hub71 and the Mohammed Bin Salman Foundation aims to ease international market access for startups and technology companies between Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It includes value creation programs, incentives and introductions to investors and partners – both corporate and government.
logo7
Hub71 and Siemens Energy are collaborating to support startups in developing innovative technologies that directly address global climate change. With the UAE set to host COP28 in 2023, the partnership will support the nation’s ability to drive investments in green infrastructure and clean energy projects both locally and globally.
logo8
Through this partnership, Yahsat is working with founders in the Hub71 community to advance technological innovations that support the development of the UAE’s mobile satellite capabilities and, more broadly, the emirate’s space industry. As part of the agreement, Yahsat has appointed Hub71 as its Innovation Partner.

Driving Cost Savings for Founders

dMobile

$22M

(AED 81 million)

Value of cost savings

923

Jobs created

253

Housing units availed

904

Health insurance
policies issued

253

Housing units availed

Making A Sustainable Difference Through ClimateTech

With the UAE hosting COP28 in 2023, Hub71 is building a tech ecosystem that will support the nation’s ability to drive investments in green infrastructure and clean energy globally. Nowhere is this more evident than in the early success of our CleanTech startups.

Air Carbon Exchange
and Mubadala

Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) acquired a strategic stake in AirCarbon Exchange (ACX), a significant boost for ACX’s establishment as on of the world’s first fully regulated carbon trading exchange and carbon clearing house that will be based in the UAE’s capital.

Siemens Energy
partnership

AAs part of a recent agreement, Hub71 and Siemens Energy are working together to identify prominent CleanTech and ClimateTech startups to explore investment opportunities that have the potential to accelerate the clean energy transition.

44.01 – Earthshot
Prize Winner

Less than a year after joining Hub71, 44.01 is already making an impact on the global carbon reduction stage.

The Oman-based startup also scooped a prestigious global Earthshot Prize, awarded to just five companies each year for their contributions to environmentalism. Each winner receives a grant of £1 million to continue their environmental work.

Archireef investment and
partnership with KEZAD

Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company ADQ’s partnership with Archireef, will fund the Hub71 ClimateTech startup’s research and help implement eco-engineering solutions for marine biodiversity restoration using innovations in 3D printing, internet of things, and artificial intelligence.

Archireef has also established a regional production facility in KEZAD, Abu Dhabi, for production of their proprietary coral reef tiles and research and development into marine conservation solutions.

A Truly Global
Ecosystem

triangles

Partners

Sector breakdown
of Hub71 startups

48

Founder
nationalities

28

Startup countries
of origin

7

Countries where
partnerships established

21

Sectors

21

Government

22

Corporate

33

Funds

46

46 FinTech (22%)

31

HealthTech (14%)

15

EdTech (7%)

12

Mobility (5%)

9

FoodTech (4%)

7

ClimanteTech (3%)

89

Startups across
15 various sectors

7

Countries where
partnerships established

48

Founder
nationalities

21

Sectors

28

Startup countries
of origin

Partners

21

Government

22

Corporate

33

Funds

Sector breakdown of
Hub71 startups

46

46 FinTech (22%)

31

HealthTech (14%)

15

EdTech (7%)

12

Mobility (5%)

9

FoodTech (4%)

7

ClimateTech (3%)

89

Startups across 15 various sectors

Creating a Connected Community

wework
cloud
Events and
delegations
5,800

Sq meters

1,500

Sq meters

414

Number of events
hosted

1,207

Office space
capacity

300

Office space
capacity

95

Number of
delegations

Creating a Connected Community

wework
5,800

Sq meters

1,207

Office space
capacity

wework
1,500

Sq meters

300

Office space
capacity

Events and
delegations
414

Number of events
hosted

95

Number of
delegations

Future
purpleCube lGreen

“We’re not waiting for the future to unfold; we’re actively shaping it. Our tech ecosystem is helping solve today’s pressing global challenges to build a prosperous, sustainable tomorrow.”

Badr Al-Olama, Acting CEO, Hub71

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