Application timeline and requirements

Hub71 is currently accepting applications for Cohort17. The current deadline is February 1st 2025, and the program starts in September 2025.

Timelines for Cohort17
- Application review: if you apply before the deadline, our sourcing and selection team will review your application between November 2024 and April 2025. You should be receiving feedback about the status of your application within 3 months of applying.
- Selection rounds:
  - Round 1: Application review
  - Round 2: Hub71 team meets shortlisted founders
  - Round 3: Hub71 partners meet shortlisted founders
  - Round 4: Final selection committee
- Onboarding: If your startup is selected, your onboarding process will start in May 2025.
- Program: Hub71’s 3-month program runs from September to November 2025.
Applications
- Applications do not close after the deadline: if you apply after the mentioned deadline related to a cohort, you will be considered for the next cohort.
- If you apply before the mentioned cohort deadline, you will be hearing back from the Hub71 team before the application review deadline mentioned in section 1 ends.
- During round 3, we invite relevant partners from our community to attend the sessions and be part of the evaluation process.
Selected startups
- Startups onboarded to the program will receive: AED 250,000 worth of flexible incentives that can be utilized with a range of service providers, and AED 250,000 in cash in exchange for equity through a SAFE note.
- High-performing startups committed to Abu Dhabi are eligible to receive a top-up of AED 250,000 in exchange for additional equity by the end of the one year program.
Requirements
- Startups should fill all required fields in the application form
- Pitch deck in PDF format highlighting the following main sections:
  - Problem, solution, value proposition, and business model
  - Competition, market, traction, and funds raised
  - Founders / Founding team
  - Plans for Hub71 and Abu Dhabi
Steps
- 1
  
  Application submission
  
  Complete an application form with an overview of your startup, the problem you are addressing, the solution, your product, and business model.
- 2
  
  Pitch presentations
  
  If your application is successful, you will be invited to the next stage, where you will be asked to deliver a series of pitch presentations to the Hub71 team and some of the tech ecosystem’s investment, corporate and government partners. Startups will be evaluated on their team, the market opportunity, and their growth plans.
- 3
  
  Final selection
  
  After a rigorous four-stages selection process, Hub71 will select a cohort of startups to join its vibrant ecosystem.

Reach new heights in the Access Program

Get the support you need to take your business to the next level in Abu Dhabi. Our Access Program offers a comprehensive support package and a route into the UAE capital’s marketplace. The benefits include in-kind and cash incentives and access to our vibrant community of capital and corporate partners, and mentors.

PRE-SEED TO SERIES A

Sector agnostic program

Access Program

Are you an established startup hoping to gain a foothold in Abu Dhabi so you can scale your business?

Our Access Program offers a comprehensive support package and a route into the UAE capital’s marketplace. The benefits include in-kind and cash incentives and access to our vibrant community of capital and corporate partners, and mentors. You'll also be enrolled in our 3-month guided track, powered by TechStars where you'll gain access to their mentors, ensuring tailored advice to accelerate your growth.

Startups onboarded to the program will receive: AED 250,000 worth of in-kind incentives in the form of support services, and AED 250,000 in cash for exchange for equity through a SAFE note. High-performing startups are eligible to receive a top-up of up to AED 250,000 in exchange for additional equity, upon completion of the program or after one year.

Apply Now

Timeline

Application timeline and requirements

Hub71 is currently accepting applications for Cohort17. The current deadline is February 1st 2025, and the program starts in September 2025.

Timelines for Cohort17
- Application review: if you apply before the deadline, our sourcing and selection team will review your application between November 2024 and April 2025. You should be receiving feedback about the status of your application within 3 months of applying.
- Selection rounds:
  - Round 1: Application review
  - Round 2: Hub71 team meets shortlisted founders
  - Round 3: Hub71 partners meet shortlisted founders
  - Round 4: Final selection committee
- Onboarding: If your startup is selected, your onboarding process will start in May 2025.
- Program: Hub71’s 3-month program runs from September to November 2025.
Applications
- Applications do not close after the deadline: if you apply after the mentioned deadline related to a cohort, you will be considered for the next cohort.
- If you apply before the mentioned cohort deadline, you will be hearing back from the Hub71 team before the application review deadline mentioned in section 1 ends.
- During round 3, we invite relevant partners from our community to attend the sessions and be part of the evaluation process.
Selected startups
- Startups onboarded to the program will receive: AED 250,000 worth of flexible incentives that can be utilized with a range of service providers, and AED 250,000 in cash in exchange for equity through a SAFE note.
- High-performing startups committed to Abu Dhabi are eligible to receive a top-up of AED 250,000 in exchange for additional equity by the end of the one year program.
Requirements
- Startups should fill all required fields in the application form
- Pitch deck in PDF format highlighting the following main sections:
  - Problem, solution, value proposition, and business model
  - Competition, market, traction, and funds raised
  - Founders / Founding team
  - Plans for Hub71 and Abu Dhabi
Steps
- 1
  
  Application submission
  
  Complete an application form with an overview of your startup, the problem you are addressing, the solution, your product, and business model.
- 2
  
  Pitch presentations
  
  If your application is successful, you will be invited to the next stage, where you will be asked to deliver a series of pitch presentations to the Hub71 team and some of the tech ecosystem’s investment, corporate and government partners. Startups will be evaluated on their team, the market opportunity, and their growth plans.
- 3
  
  Final selection
  
  After a rigorous four-stages selection process, Hub71 will select a cohort of startups to join its vibrant ecosystem.

FAQs

The Access Program (previously Company Building Program) offers a vibrant ecosystem and broad network of corporate, government, and investment partners for pre-seed to Series A startups looking to gain a foothold in Abu Dhabi and expand beyond. Through our incentive packages, startups gain a direct route into the UAE capital’s marketplace, equipping founders with incentives and access to Hub71’s vibrant community, where you can connect with our network of corporate, government, and investment partners.

Startups that sign up will receive AED 250,000 in in-kind incentives and AED 250,000 cash incentive for equity. Top-performing startups selected by Hub71 can receive up to an additional AED 250,000 cash incentive in exchange for further additional equity. Incentives include:

- Office space
- Health insurance
- Housing
- Workforce support
- Licensing & visa support
- Marketing, legal, and financial support
- Back office support
- Upskilling
- Growth marketing

The Access Program is best suited for pre-seed to Series A startups. To benefit from the program and the Abu Dhabi ecosystem, at least one founder of the startups accepted to the Company Building Program is expected to move to Abu Dhabi.

- Office space
- Health insurance
- Housing
- Workforce support
- Licensing & visa support
- Marketing, legal, and financial support
- Back office support
- Upskilling
- Growth marketing

Program

timeline

Overview

A 12-month program that provides a comprehensive support package for direct entry into Abu Dhabi’s marketplace, equipping founders with in-kind and cash incentives and access to our vibrant community of investors and partners.

Program launch (4 weeks)

In this launch phase, startups set KPIs and identify key areas for growth, ensuring a strong foundation for their journey into the UAE’s marketplace.

Market entry preparation (4 weeks)

This phase focuses on preparing startups for entry into the MENA region by guiding them through the UAE's corporate environment and investor landscape, ensuring they are well-equipped for success.

Corporate partners introduction

Hub71 will facilitate introductions to key partners within our network, exploring potential collaboration opportunities for startups.

Growth acceleration (4 weeks)

The ‘Growth’ phase concentrates on key areas such as fundraising, market expansion, and scaling teams to drive startup success.

Fundraising showcase

A fundraising event where startups meet with VCs within the ecosystem, culminating in a public Demo Day to showcase their progress and opportunities.

Ongoing support through incentives

Throughout the program, startups will receive ongoing support through access to vetted service providers, utilizing incentives to further enhance their growth and operations.