Ahmad Ali Alwan, the CEO of Hub71, is guiding the development of Abu Dhabi’s technological landscape towards a more advanced scale-up stage.
Since his appointment, Hub71 has introduced its 16th cohort in February, incorporating 27 startups chosen from over 1,300 applications in programs such as Access, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ Digital Assets. Prior to joining, these startups had gathered over $145 million (Dhs532 million) in funding, further energizing an ecosystem that now includes 357 startups.
Leveraging this momentum, Hub71 teamed up with Google for Startups in May to unveil the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First program in Abu Dhabi. This initiative is directed at AI-centric startups within the Hub71+ AI sector, providing customized mentorship, technical assistance, and access to Google Cloud credits, bolstering Abu Dhabi’s status as an emerging global hub for AI.
In a recent interview, Alwan discussed Hub71’s progress and future plans. The dialogue unveiled his innovative vision centered on evolving Hub71 from a launching pad for nascent companies into a lively, globally connected ecosystem nurturing scaleups and technological innovators targeting the MENA region and beyond.
Here are highlights from our discussion.
Can you share some significant developments at Hub71 and why 2025 is expected to be a crucial year for the startup ecosystem
Certainly. Hub71 was established in 2019 to foster a thriving environment for early-stage tech startups to grow in Abu Dhabi. Since then, we’ve cultivated a community of 357 startups that have collectively secured $2.17 billion in funding, generated $1.2 billion in revenue, and created over 1,100 jobs across more than 20 sectors.
What distinguishes us is twofold: the strength of our partnerships—spanning government, corporate entities, and investors—that unlock real commercial and strategic benefits for startups, and our commitment to community. Founders here aren’t just building individual companies; they are collaborating in a shared environment with a unified vision.
Can you discuss some of the partnerships you have formed recently and how they bolster Hub71’s mission
One highlight is our collaboration with Google. More than a year ago, we established a strategic partnership to introduce the Google for Startups program in Abu Dhabi. Launched in May at Hub71, the program saw participation from 26 startups, granting them access to Google’s resources and mentorship to cultivate globally competitive AI-driven businesses.
Through our partnership with Google, we’re empowering founders to create innovative technologies that address significant global challenges.
Additionally, Abu Dhabi’s broader focus on AI significantly benefits us. The emirate has made extensive investments to emerge as a global AI hub, supported by organizations like the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), TII, HPE, and AWS. Hub71’s role is to channel this momentum directly into opportunities for our startups.
Are there any notable startups within your ecosystem that you would like to highlight
That’s always a challenging question—it’s like choosing a favorite child. However, a few come to mind.
In the realm of AI, Base2 is excelling. They’ve developed a suite of industrial AI solutions aimed at helping large enterprises improve operational efficiency.
Another noteworthy company is Cambio, which is developing its own large language models (LLMs) to enhance AI-driven customer service and call center operations. Cambio, led by women, is under the remarkable leadership of CEO Rachel along with her co-founders.
Beyond AI, Archireaf stands out with its unique approach to utilizing 3D printing for coral reef reconstruction, contributing to blue carbon capture. They’ve expanded from Hong Kong and are now operating out of Kizad, attracting increasing investor interest from the region.
Hub71 has introduced specialized ecosystems, termed ‘Hub71 +’ verticals, in areas such as climate tech, AI, and digital assets. Why are these verticals significant
These verticals emerged from a desire to transcend the traditional role of a tech hub. We aimed to establish focused ecosystems that draw global attention and investments into specific sectors.
For instance, Hub71+ Digital Assets was one of our initial verticals. It is anchored by the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), which has implemented progressive crypto regulations since 2016, along with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), which has engaged to stay connected with digital asset advancements. Currently, we support about 30 to 40 startups in that vertical, bolstered by a robust partner network.
A similar strategy was adopted for climate technology, particularly in light of COP28, and now for AI as well. In each vertical, we are creating pathways for startups to connect with funding, regulations, and commercial opportunities.
How does Hub71 facilitate the global expansion of startups from Abu Dhabi
We like to remind founders: you don’t just set up in Abu Dhabi, you operate from Abu Dhabi to reach the world.
The emirate provides progressive regulations, high security, and global connectivity. We harness that value proposition and convert it into real opportunities for our founders. We’ve established over 10 international partnerships that aid our startups in scaling into markets like Saudi Arabia, the USA, Hong Kong, Japan, and further afield.
Based on your experiences, what distinguishes successful startups from those that struggle or fail
I often share three personal and professional principles with founders:
- Embrace failure; it’s part of the learning curve. Investors often regard second-time founders positively for the insights they’ve gained from earlier experiences.
- Resilience is crucial. The entrepreneurial journey is fraught with ups and downs, and you need to manage through them.
- Focus on being your best self. While learning from others is important, it’s vital to remain grounded in your own strengths.
From an operational standpoint, corporate governance is a key differentiator. Many early-stage founders overlook this aspect, yet without appropriate structures, scaling can be a challenge. While product development may secure initial interest, governance is essential for sustainable growth.
As a leader, what values have been instrumental in navigating your own journey
The same three principles—embracing failure, resilience, and authenticity—have been particularly valuable to me. Additionally, I would emphasize the importance of purpose. I feel incredibly fortunate to operate at the intersection of innovation, people, and national economic development; that sense of purpose fuels my drive.
Returning to the theme of community, how do you foster collaboration and commitment within your team
Two key elements: attentive listening and structured processes.
I’ve honed my ability to listen—not just to what is spoken but also to what remains unspoken. This attentiveness cultivates trust and aligns individual priorities with the organization’s broader goals.
While we maintain a dynamic and collaborative environment, structure is imperative. It shapes our culture and enables us to work cohesively. However, I also allow for a degree of healthy chaos—around 10 to 20 percent—to keep things fresh and innovative.
What’s next for Hub71? What developments should we anticipate in the upcoming months
We will intensify our efforts in facilitating access to capital for our startups. Abu Dhabi is rich in investment opportunities, and it is our mission to assist startups in seizing them.
Moreover, we will continue to refine the city’s advantages across various sectors—AI, climate tech, digital assets—and more initiatives are on the horizon. Our responsibility is to ensure that every global advancement in these fields translates into tangible opportunities for startups within Hub71.
Read: Hub71 startup, Ovasave, raises $1.2m pre-seed round