In brief
Hub71 announced that 40 startups were chosen for its 19th Cohort, the largest selection to date. The new group represents 14 countries, has raised a combined US$296 million, and includes a strong presence of AI-led companies. Almost all startups are part of Hub71’s Access Programme, with many joining industry‑focused ecosystems such as Digital Assets, ClimateTech, and Life Sciences.
Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, announced on 29 October 2026 that it has selected 40 startups for its 19th Cohort, the biggest intake the program has ever had. The decision came after a record 2,502 applications were received from 117 countries, giving the cohort an acceptance rate of just 1.6 percent.
The 40 companies come from 14 nations and have collectively raised US$296 million, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s standing as a destination for innovative technology ventures. More than two‑thirds of the selected startups are in sectors that align with the city’s strategic priorities.
Hub71 will provide all 40 companies with access to its core Access Programme. Twelve will join the sector‑agnostic track, while 19 will enter specialist ecosystems in Digital Assets, ClimateTech, and Life Sciences. Six startups were chosen through the Anjal Z program, which focuses on early childhood challenges, and another three will advance through Hub71’s pathway into the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster.
AI features prominently across the cohort, with 90 percent of the startups incorporating artificial intelligence at the heart of their products or services. The cohort also includes six Series A companies, up from two in Cohort 18.
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said,
"Cohort 19 reflects the growing depth and maturity of the companies joining Hub71, with founders building across increasingly specialised sectors. They add new expertise, technologies and perspectives to the community, while gaining access to the capital, partners and market opportunities that can help them build enduring companies."
Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said,
"We should measure innovation by the difference it makes in a child’s life: a teacher who can respond sooner, a parent who can find the right support, or a child who can communicate more easily. Through Anjal Z and our partnership with Hub71, we are helping six startups test and adapt their solutions for Abu Dhabi’s children and families. Our focus is practical progress that families can see and feel."
With 644 companies now part of the Hub71 ecosystem, the new cohort is set to strengthen the city’s technology landscape and drive economic diversification.
