26/07/2026
India is now a strategic priority for UAE's Hub7 program. In June 2026, Hub71 and the UAE–India CEPA Council launched Start-Up Series 2.0, creating a dedicated pathway for Indian startups to expand into Abu Dhabi. The program offers a structured route into the UAE ecosystem. Launched on 26 March 2019 under Abu Dhabi's Ghadan 21 program, Hub71 was built the ambition of bringing the world's best founders to Abu Dhabi.
Selected startups receive:
• Access to Hub71's Immersion Program, designed to prepare startups for entering the UAE market.
• Mentorship from experienced founders and operators.
• Introductions to investors, corporate partners and government stakeholders.
• Regulatory and market-entry support.
From the shortlisted startups, one startup is selected for Hub71's flagship Access Program, which includes AED 250,000 in cash through a SAFE investment, AED 250,000 in in-kind support (workspace, cloud credits, legal, visas and business services), a structured 12-month scaling programme from Abu Dhabi
Countries are now competing to attract high-growth founders (Singapore has Startup SG, France has Station F, Saudi Arabia has Vision 2030 startup initiatives). The UAE is building one of the strongest cross-border founder programs through Hub71 with Abu Dhabi positioning itself as a launchpad into the wider MENA region.
We'll see many more Indian startups using Abu Dhabi as a gateway to global markets.