Khalifa Fund & Hub71 Launch First MZN Hub71 Cohort to Accelerate Emirati Startups
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, in collaboration with Hub71, has launched the first cycle of the MZN Hub71 Program, selecting 17 Emirati founders developing early-stage startups across priority and emerging sectors in the UAE.
The inaugural cohort was selected from more than 370 applications, highlighting the growing demand for structured support programs designed for early-stage entrepreneurs.
Led by Khalifa Fund and delivered through MZN Hub Al Ain, the initiative aims to provide Emirati founders with a structured pathway to transform business ideas into scalable ventures while strengthening the UAE’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The selected founders represent sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy, including HealthTech, ClimateTech, FinTech, and AgriTech, alongside startups integrating artificial intelligence solutions across multiple industries.
According to program data, nearly 90% of participating founders are under the age of 35, while more than 75% are launching their first business ventures. Female entrepreneurs account for 35% of the cohort, reflecting the continued growth of women’s participation across the UAE startup ecosystem.
The program also demonstrated strong ecosystem collaboration, with 59% of selected founders referred through partner networks developed by Khalifa Fund and Hub71 to identify and support emerging entrepreneurial talent.
HE Khalifa Al Kuwaiti, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Sector at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said:
“We are pleased to launch the first MZN Hub71 cohort in collaboration with Hub71; it reflects Khalifa Fund’s commitment to empowering Emirati entrepreneurs and nurturing the next generation of national enterprises. Through MZN Al Ain, we are creating a structured pathway that enables founders to transform ideas into viable businesses, strengthen their capabilities, and contribute directly to the UAE’s economic diversification goals.”
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, added:
“MZN Hub71 reflects the growing momentum among Emirati founders building ventures from Abu Dhabi. This cohort brings together an impressive group of founding teams developing timely solutions well positioned to enter the market. At Hub71, we are proud to support founders from the earliest stages, helping them build strong foundations, validate their ideas, and scale their businesses.”
The three-month program at MZN Hub Al Ain guides founders through multiple development stages, including concept development, minimum viable product creation, market validation, and launch preparation.
The initiative will conclude with a Demo Day event, where founders will present their startups to investors, government stakeholders, and ecosystem partners, creating opportunities for funding, strategic partnerships, and commercial expansion.
Following the program’s completion, participating founders will continue to gain access to Abu Dhabi’s broader innovation ecosystem, including capital networks, commercial opportunities, and strategic support aimed at scaling ventures regionally and internationally.
