Startup accelerators and incubators in Abu Dhabi
- 5 organizations
- Oct 2026 last checked
Startups in Abu Dhabi's Hub71 ecosystem secured Dh2.2 billion ($599 million) in funding in 2025. By the end of 2025 they had raised more than Dh9.9 billion ($2.7 billion) in total, and the community had grown to 390 startups.
Sources: Khaleej Times, reporting Hub71 2025 Impact Report, June 2026
Hub71 received more than 5,000 applications in 2025, up 62% year on year, and welcomed 52 new startups. In November 2025 it enhanced its Incentive Program to provide startups with up to AED 750,000 in cash and in-kind incentives.
Sources: Khaleej Times, reporting Hub71 2025 Impact Report, June 2026 · MENA Startup Digest, Hub71 expands incentive program, November 2025
5 of 5 shown
Nothing matches these filters.
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Hub71
Abu Dhabi tech ecosystem running a 12-month company-building program with cash and incentives, plus specialist Hub71+ tracks and early-stage Initiate for pre-MVP founders.
- Duration
- 12-month programme
- Funding
- AED 250,000 worth of flexible incentives and AED 250,000 in cash in exchange for equity through a SAFE note
AIClimate & energyFintechHealthtechLife sciencesMobility
hub71.com Latest activity: Oct 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development
Abu Dhabi government fund for Emirati entrepreneurs that runs capability-building programs including a game incubator, a cybersecurity accelerator, a light manufacturing accelerator and an SME export program.
- Run by
- Government of Abu Dhabi
CybersecurityIndustry & manufacturingMedia & creative
khalifafund.ae Latest activity: Apr 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Make it in the Emirates Accelerator
National accelerator for UAE-licensed manufacturing startups offering mentorship, access to industrial anchor companies, investor introductions and production and R&D facilities, delivered with Brinc.
- Run by
- Emirates Development Bank
- Duration
- six-month accelerator journey
Industry & manufacturing
edb.gov.ae Latest activity: May 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
MBZUAI Incubation and Entrepreneurship Center
University center helping faculty, researchers, engineers and students start AI companies in Abu Dhabi through an entrepreneurship course, a demo day, a Silicon Valley trip, mentors and hackathons.
- Run by
- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
AI
mbzuai.ac.ae Latest activity: Jun 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
startAD
Abu Dhabi startup accelerator anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi that runs entrepreneurship programs for students, Emirati founders and international startups, including an AI sandbox, HealthX and an angel education series.
- Run by
- New York University Abu Dhabi
AIHealthtech
startad.ae Latest activity: May 2026 · Checked Oct 2026
How this list is made
Every card on this page passed the same three checks before it was published.
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Opened on its own website
Each organization was read on its own site, not on a directory or press page.
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Active in the last 18 months
A dated cohort, open call, demo day or news item is required. Its date is on the card; an announced one shows as Upcoming.
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Checked a second time
A separate review re-read every record. Anything it could not confirm was left out.
What gets listed
- Accelerator cohorts
- Incubation with coaching or lab access
- Startup studios
- University founder centers
- Public programs with an application process
What is left out
- Investment funds without a program
- Office or coworking space without a program
- Programs with no dated activity in 18 months
Only what they state
Sector focus, duration, equity and funding appear only where the organization states them itself. A blank means it does not say, not that the answer is none.
Spotted a mistake?
Something out of date, or a program missing? Write to info@mentornity.com with a link to the official page.
Running a program like these?
Our guide covers how accelerators and incubators set up mentor pools, match founders with mentors and keep track of sessions across a cohort.