Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, in partnership with Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, has announced the launch of the first cohort of the 'Muzn Hub71 Program.' This group includes 17 Emirati startup founders who are developing early-stage projects in priority sectors.
This cohort was chosen from over 370 applications, showing the high demand for programs that support early-stage startups in the UAE, as well as growing interest in empowerment programs for new founders.
Led by Khalifa Fund, the program is run through 'Muzn Hub Al Ain,' creating a new gateway to join the UAE's startup ecosystem. It offers a platform to empower Emirati founders to turn their ideas into scalable and growing ventures, while also supporting the growth of local companies and boosting their market presence.
This cohort features a new generation of entrepreneurs who are shaping the UAE's future economy. About 90% of them are under 35, and over 75% are launching their projects for the first time, showing a wider entry point into the world of entrepreneurship. Female entrepreneurs make up 35% of participants, indicating continuous progress in boosting diversity within the startup ecosystem.
Another unique aspect of the program is that 59% of the founders were nominated through partner networks. This highlights the strong collaborative ecosystem built by Khalifa Fund and its partners, including Hub71, and demonstrates the system's effectiveness in discovering and nurturing early-stage talent.
The startups in this cohort cover a diverse range of sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi's economic priorities. These include health tech, climate tech, fintech, agritech, and AI-driven innovations across various fields.
In this context, Khalifa Al Kuwaiti, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Sector at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, stated that launching the first cohort of the 'Muzn Hub71 Program' in collaboration with Hub71 reflects the Fund's commitment to empowering Emirati entrepreneurs and supporting the next generation of national projects.
He added that the program is a step towards building an integrated and structured pathway that allows founders to transform their ideas into promising ventures and enhance their capabilities. This contributes to supporting the UAE's economic diversification goals by expanding access to mentorship, guidance, collaboration networks, supporting investment readiness, and equipping founders with the necessary tools to develop their projects and compete globally.
For his part, Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said that the 'Muzn Hub71 Program' reflects the growing trend of Emirati entrepreneurs launching their projects from Abu Dhabi. He noted that the cohort includes founders developing solutions that align with market needs.
He added that Hub71 is proud to support these founders from the early stages, enabling them to build strong foundations and expand their businesses into new markets.
Throughout the three-month program at 'Muzn Hub Al Ain,' founders go through structured stages, from idea development to execution. This includes building prototypes, testing ideas in the market, and preparing to launch their projects.
The program concludes with a Demo Day event, where founders present their projects to investors, government entities, and partners. This opens up direct opportunities for them to secure funding, build partnerships, and expand their businesses.
After the program ends, founders are integrated into Abu Dhabi's broader innovation ecosystem, with continued access to capital, commercial opportunities, and strategic support during growth stages.
By empowering early-stage founders in Al Ain and connecting them to Hub71's global network, the 'Muzn Hub71 Program' contributes to strengthening Abu Dhabi's entrepreneurship ecosystem in the long term, supporting the development of globally competitive startups from the UAE.
Related editorial
Sprints and BARQ Systems Partner to Boost AI Skills
Sprints and BARQ Systems have teamed up to launch an exciting new training program. It's designed for recent graduates and professionals who want to dive deep into AI, offering hands-on learning and practical experience to get them ready for the job market.
iSchool Partners with Egyptian Industry to Empower Children with AI Skills, Fighting Child Labor
iSchool recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI). This exciting partnership, announced during the launch of a new code of conduct for child training and employment, aims to empower children with digital skills, including AI, to protect them from child labor and prepare them for better future opportunities.
Egypt University of Informatics Expands Global Reach with 24 International Scholarships, Backed by Microsoft, WE, and Banque Misr
Egypt University of Informatics (EUI) is making a big splash by offering 24 international scholarships. These amazing opportunities, backed by major partners like Microsoft, WE, and Banque Misr, will send students to top global universities to prepare them to lead Egypt's digital economy.
World Bank Praises Saudi Arabia's AI Success in Boosting Education and Skills
The World Bank is really impressed with how Saudi Arabia is bringing artificial intelligence into its education system. They're especially praising the country's focus on boosting teacher skills and creating a digital setup that encourages new ideas and better learning.