United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi

#51-60

Emerging Startup Ecosystem
Members: Hub71

#3

MENA Ecosystem in Performance

#4

MENA Ecosystem in Knowledge

#5

MENA Ecosystem in Funding
Hub71 startups raised a record $2.17 billion (AED 8.02 billion) in funding as of 2024, reflecting significant capital inflow that fuels innovation and growth within Abu Dhabi’s startup ecosystem.

Highlights

Abu Dhabi’s startup ecosystem is rapidly emerging as a global powerhouse fueled by strategic investments, world-class infrastructure, and progressive policies that support innovation across sectors.

Aligning with Abu Dhabi’s economic vision of becoming a leading technology hub, Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, launched Hub71+ AI during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2024 to support AI-driven startups. This initiative is advancing AI across key sectors and is backed by partners like AWS, Google for Startups, AI71, Core42, Nvidia, HPE, MBZUAI, and 42 Abu Dhabi to foster a specialized ecosystem and drive economic transformation.

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry introduced its 2025–2028 roadmap to create a business world that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in the private sector. This roadmap is part of Abu Dhabi’s goal of building a smarter and more sustainable economy. Key projects include the launch of the Abu Dhabi Family Businesses Council (ADFBC), which aims to improve services for private sector companies and support the growth of family businesses. In 2024, the Chamber also launched the inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW), an annual event bringing together entrepreneurs and business leaders to boost Abu Dhabi's global presence and promote sustainable development.

Abu Dhabi Executive Council approved a $3.54 billion (AED 13 billion) digital strategy for 2025-2027, making it the first government to fully integrate AI into all digital services by 2027. The plan targets full automation, sovereign cloud adoption, and a $6.53 billion (AED 24 billion) GDP boost, creating 5,000 jobs for Emiratization, with the Department of Government Enablement leading implementation alongside government entities.

Ecosystem by the Numbers

ECOSYSTEM VALUE

A measure of economic impact, calculated as the value of exits and startup valuations from H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$4.4 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $20.4 bn

NUMBER OF UNICORNS 

The number of startups that meet our definition and have been valued at more than $1 billion and have not exited.
(ACTIVE UNICORNS)
2
GLOBAL AVG. 4

SOFT. ENGINEER SALARY

Average software engineer salary informed by data from Glassdoor, Salary.com, and PayScale, as well as local sources when available.
(2024)
$54 K
GLOBAL AVG. $52 K

TIME TO EXIT

The average age at the time of exit in the ecosystem in 2020–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
8.5 years
GLOBAL AVG. 11.2 years

TOTAL EARLY–STAGE FUNDING

The total seed and Series A funding in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$452 M
GLOBAL AVG. $514.8 m

MEDIAN SEED ROUND

The median of seed rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 - 2024)
$900 K
GLOBAL AVG. $889 k

EARLY-STAGE FUNDING
GROWTH

Early-stage funding growth is based on number of seed and Series A rounds raised between 2021-20222 vs. 2023-2024 and calculated on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
(2021 - 22 VS. 2023 - 24)
10
Scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)

EXIT AMOUNT

The total value of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
$3 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $8 bn

ECOSYSTEM VALUE GROWTH

Ecosystem Value growth (CAGR) is calculated based on companies founded in the ecosystem in H2 2020–H2 2022 vs. H2 2022–H2 2024.
(H2 2020 - H2 2022 VS H2 2022 - H2 2024)
6%
GLOBAL AVG. -14%

MEDIAN SERIES A ROUND 

The median of Series A rounds in tech startups in the ecosystem in H2 2022–2024.
(H2 2022 – 2024)
$10 M
GLOBAL AVG. $6.8 m

TOTAL VC FUNDING

The total VC funding (seed, Series A, Series B+) in tech startups in H2 2022–2024.
(2020 - 2024)
$3.8 BN
GLOBAL AVG. $5.2 bn

EXIT COUNT (#)

The number of exits from the ecosystem.
(2020 - 2024)
28
5
2020
2
2021
6
2022
3
2023
12
2024
GLOBAL AVG. 86

Sub-Sector Strengths

Fintech
Fintech

ADGM has launched 10,000+ businesses as they build a future where innovation meets opportunity. At year-end 2024, ADGM housed 275 financial institutions – 79 licensed in 2024 – highlighting its reputation as a strong Fintech regulatory environment. In September 2024, Hub71 Fintech startup FlapKap secured $34 million, highlighting ADGM’s role in revolutionizing SME financing in MENA and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s expanding influence in Fintech. In October 2024, Mubadala acquired stake in U.K. Fintech firm Revolut, aligning with Abu Dhabi's strategy to integrate global Fintech innovations and enhance regional startup services.

Climatetech
Climatetech

In July 2024, Hub71 startup 44.01 secured $37 million in Series A funding to scale its carbon mineralization technology, which converts CO₂ into rock for sustainable carbon removal. In December 2024, Advanced Technology Research Council’s (ATRC) VentureOne launched Nabat, a Climatetech venture using AI and robotics to restore UAE mangroves, aiming to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience. During Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, the UAE Ministry of Economy's NextGen FDI initiative partnered with Climate First, a European private equity firm specializing in climate innovation investments.

Web3 and Digital Assets
Web3 and Digital Assets

In August 2024, Tether announced a UAE dirham-pegged stablecoin to meet rising Gulf currency demand and diversify beyond U.S. dollar-backed options, reinforcing the UAE's role in digital finance. In December 2024, Zodia Markets, backed by Standard Chartered, gained ADGM approval to operate as a virtual asset brokerage, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's commitment to a strong digital asset ecosystem. Hub71 startup Greengage, a Web3 Fintech provider for SMEs and family offices, secured $10 million (AED 36 million) in funding and joined specialist ecosystem Hub71+ Digital Assets.

Reasons to Move Your Startup to Abu Dhabi

Visa Benefits

The UAE expanded its Golden Visa program in February 2025, offering 10-year residency to investors, entrepreneurs, and specialized talents. New executive regulations under the Federal Decree-Law on Entry and Residence of Foreigners update visa categories, enhancing accessibility for individuals and businesses in the UAE. The Green Visa grants freelancers, skilled workers, and the self-employed five-year residency without a company sponsor, boosting flexibility for tech professionals.

Government Support

In December 2024, Abu Dhabi launched the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority to streamline business registration, simplifying startup setup and attracting foreign investment. The Khalifa Fund launched MZN HUB to support high-potential startups with tailored programs, digital pathways, and sustainable financing, strengthening Abu Dhabi’s global appeal for entrepreneurs. Abu Dhabi Investment Office supports startups with cash rebates, grants, and equity funding, focusing on AI, Agritech, and Fintech.

Strategic Location

Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Abu Dhabi provides unmatched access to global markets, enabling smooth international trade and investment. Abu Dhabi's time zone aligns well with global business hours, enabling seamless communication and collaboration across 75 countries. This advantage is especially valuable for tech startups and professionals working with international partners and clients.

Selected Startup Organizations

Startup Genome Members

MEMBER
Hub71

Hub71 is Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem enabling high-growth startups with capital access, market access and a vibrant community to scale globally from one of the world's fastest-growing innovation hubs.

Key Ecosystem Players

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

ADGM, the international financial centre of the UAE capital, is strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global financial hub and serving as a strategic link between the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and the rest of the world.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)

The government entity is responsible for attracting and facilitating investment into key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s economy.

Mubadala Investment Company

Mubadala, a sovereign investor, manages a global portfolio to generate sustainable returns for Abu Dhabi's government, investing and partnering in innovation to create opportunities for future generations.

startAD

startAD is an Abu Dhabi-based accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi, steering local and global startups to scale in the UAE and beyond.

Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the catalyst for economic growth and diversification, regulates the business sector in the Emirate and leads economic initiatives for a knowledge-based, diversified, and sustainable economy.

ADQ

ADQ is an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company mandated to accelerate the transformation of the Emirate into a knowledge-based economy.

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Work with us

If you are interested in working with us to drive global attention to your ecosystem, please get in touch with Marina Krizman, Director of Business Development.

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