- What
- AED 250K in-kind plus AED 250K cash via SAFE note; AED 250K top-up for high performers.
- Who
- Pre-Seed to Series A startups with at least one founder relocating to Abu Dhabi.
- From abroad
- Open to companies from abroad — At least one founder of accepted startups expected to relocate long-term and build a team in Abu Dhabi All programmes open to founders from abroad →
- Latest
- Last programme news Aug 2026 — Expanded Initiate programme after ~5,500 founder applicationsNewest dated item on its own site · checked Oct 2026
- Timeline
- Access programme: deadline Feb 2027, starts Sep 2027; feedback within 3 months ↗As published by the programme itself
Checked · October 2026 · hub71.com · How we check ↗
In detail
Hub71 is a tech ecosystem / accelerator in the UAE. Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, backed by Mubadala and ADDED, based in ADGM. Access Programme: AED 250,000 of flexible incentives plus AED 250,000 in cash for equity via SAFE note; high-performing startups committed to Abu Dhabi can receive a top-up of AED 250,000 for additional equity. Cohort 21 applications open — deadline February 2027, programme starts September 2027. Also runs Initiate (ideation and pre-MVP founders) and the MZN x Hub71 programme with the Khalifa Fund for Emirati founders. Specialist tracks for AI, Web3, ClimateTech.
- Amount
- AED 250K in-kind + AED 250K cash via SAFE note · top-up of AED 250K for additional equity for high-performing startups (Access Programme)
- Terms
- Yes — via SAFE note
- Eligibility
- Pre-Seed to Series A; at least one founder relocating to Abu Dhabi
- Sectors
- AI, ClimateTech, Web3
- Benefits
- Support towards housing, office space and health insurance
- AWS Activate credits
- ADGM tech licence
- Status
- Open — Hub71’s own application page reads “Hub71 is currently accepting applications for Cohort 21. The current deadline is February 2027, and the programme starts in September 2027.” Only the month is published, no closing day (checked October 2026)
Is this for you?
Where is your company?
Are you open to giving equity?
We match them against what Hub71 publishes.
A guide to the published criteria, not a decision — the programme selects.
What the source says
“To benefit from the programme and the Abu Dhabi ecosystem, at least one founder of the start-ups accepted to the Access Programme is expected to move to Abu Dhabi.”
“Backed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Mubadala Investment Company.”
“based in the flourishing metropolis of Abu Dhabi, in the city's prestigious, award-winning international finance center, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)”
“AED 250,000 worth of flexible incentives ... AED 250,000 in cash in exchange for equity through a SAFE note”
“additional AED 250,000 in exchange for additional equity by the end of the one year program”
“Hub71 is currently accepting applications for Cohort 21. The current deadline is February 2027, and the programme starts in September 2027.”
Closing soon on the map
No published deadline in the next 30 days · All published deadlines →
Compare accelerators & incubators in the UAE
| Cost | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub71AED 250K in-kind plus AED 250K cash via SAFE note; AED 250K top-up for high performers. | AED 250K | Equity | Open |
| 500 Global UAEEquity investment of US$100,000+ through the Sanabil Accelerator by 500 Global. | US$100,000+ | Equity; Phase 1 programme fee US$35,000 | Closed |
| CatalystSeed funding as SAFE notes, pre-seed and seed. | not published | Convertible | Active |
| Disrupt.comVenture builder that co-founds AI-first ventures and funds them from its own balance sheet. | not published | Equity | Open |
| in5 DubaiSubsidized business licence and coworking workspace. | not published | No equity | Active |
| IntelakAED 50K equity-free grant. | AED 50K | No equity | Active |
| NQubatorIncubation and acceleration programmes; Digital Commerce Cohort. | not published | Equity | Active |
| SheraaEquity-free ERF grants from an AED 5M fund plus programmes. | not published | No equity | Active |
| DIFC Innovation Hub — Fintech AcceleratorRegulatory sandbox access and programme support for fintech startups. | not published | No equity | Closed |
| Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2)Free 16-week tech incubator with mentoring and investor introductions; no cash amount. | not published | No cost to join | Closed |
| Innovate For Tomorrow (Dubai Holding)AED 500,000 to the winner plus a funded UAE pilot; runners-up AED 250,000 and AED 100,000. | AED 500,000 | No equity | Closed |
| Plug and Play Abu DhabiAccelerator programme with potential VC investment. | not published | Not published | Active |
| Presight AI AcceleratorSix-month accelerator with a $50K in-kind SAFE note; no working application link today. | $50K | SAFE | Active |
| startADNo direct investment published; corporate pilots via sprint accelerators. | not published | No equity | Active |
No programmes match these filters.
Highest amount in each programme’s own “What” line. Other currencies converted for sorting only (Gulf pegs; KWD, EUR, GBP approximate).
All accelerators & incubators in the UAE → · Across the Gulf →
Questions founders ask
What does Hub71 offer?
AED 250K in-kind plus AED 250K cash via SAFE note; AED 250K top-up for high performers.
Does Hub71 take equity?
Equity — via SAFE note.
Can founders from abroad apply?
Open to companies from abroad — At least one founder of accepted startups expected to relocate long-term and build a team in Abu Dhabi.
Is there a deadline?
No closing date is published; applications are open.
How do I apply?
Through its own application form — the Apply button on this page goes straight there.
Sources
Primary source · hub71.com · LinkedIn · linkedin.com/company/hub71ad · Checked October 2026