Hub71: funding, terms & how to apply
Abu Dhabi's sovereign-backed launchpad — a 12-month Access program packaging AED 250K cash and AED 250K of incentives to anchor global startups in the UAE capital.
Investment
AED 250K cash (SAFE) + AED 250K in-kind (up to AED 750K with top-up)
Equity
Cash via uncapped MFN SAFE; in-kind portion equity-free
Program length
12 months
Format
In person
Deadlines
Cohort-based intakes; late applications roll to the next cohort
Acceptance rate
Not published
Facts last checked 2026-08-26. Deals and dates change — the official site is always the source of truth for the current application window.
What Hub71 actually is
Hub71 is Abu Dhabi's government-backed tech ecosystem inside ADGM, and its Access program is the entry door: a 12-month package of AED 250K cash (invested through an uncapped, no-discount MFN SAFE) plus AED 250K of in-kind incentives — housing, office, health insurance — with performance top-ups lifting the total toward AED 750K. Specialist tracks cover AI, climate tech, fintech and digital assets.
The strategic trade is relocation: Hub71 exists to anchor startups in Abu Dhabi, and the package assumes you build a real presence there. In exchange you get proximity to sovereign capital, government customers and the Gulf's fastest-moving pilot budgets.
What they look for
The bar you need to clear before the application is worth sending.
Startups willing to establish a genuine Abu Dhabi presence.
Products relevant to the Gulf's priority sectors — AI, fintech, climate, health.
Pre-seed to Series A with a working product; the cohort skews post-idea.
Founders who'll actively work government and corporate pilot channels.
Before you apply
Most rejections happen before the interview — in the application itself
Every question Hub71 asks — problem, traction, business model, team, market size — maps to work you can finish first. Build your startup profile in StartupKit, run the readiness score, and walk into the application with real answers instead of blank fields. Free, no card.
Build your startup profile freeApplication FAQ
What does Hub71 provide?
The Access program packages AED 250K cash via an uncapped MFN SAFE plus AED 250K of in-kind incentives over 12 months, with performance-based top-ups reaching a total of up to AED 750K.
Do I have to move to Abu Dhabi?
Yes — the program is built around establishing your company in ADGM and operating from the Hub71 community in person.
When can I apply?
Intakes are cohort-based and recur through the year; if a window closes, applications roll into the next cohort's review.
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