Application timeline and requirements

Hub71 is currently accepting applications for Cohort18. The current deadline is August 1st, 2025, and the programme starts in February 2026.

Timelines for Cohort18
- Application review: if you apply before the deadline, our sourcing and selection team will review your application between June and September 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 November 2025.
- Programme: Hub71’s 12-month programme starts in February 2026.
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
- At least one founder is expected to commit to relocating long-term and building a team out of 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 with the Access programme

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

PRE-SEED TO SERIES A

Sector agnostic programme

Access Programme

Are you an established start-up hoping to gain a foothold in Abu Dhabi and scale your business?

Our Access Programme offers a comprehensive support package and a direct entry 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. Start-ups onboarded to the programme 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 start-ups are eligible to receive a top-up of up to AED 250,000 in exchange for additional equity, upon completion of the programme or after one year. Apply now to join the Access Programme and scale your start-up in Abu Dhabi.

Apply Now

Timeline

Application timeline and requirements

Hub71 is currently accepting applications for Cohort18. The current deadline is August 1st, 2025, and the programme starts in February 2026.

Timelines for Cohort18
- Application review: if you apply before the deadline, our sourcing and selection team will review your application between June and September 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 November 2025.
- Programme: Hub71’s 12-month programme starts in February 2026.
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
- At least one founder is expected to commit to relocating long-term and building a team out of 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 Programme offers a vibrant ecosystem and an extensive network of corporate, government, and investment partners. It supports pre-seed to Series A start-ups looking to establish themselves in Abu Dhabi and expand globally.

Through our incentive packages, start-ups 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.

Start-ups that sign up will receive AED 250,000 in in-kind incentives and AED 250,000 cash incentive for equity. Top-performing start-ups 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 Programme is best suited for pre-seed to Series A startups. To benefit from the programme and the Abu Dhabi ecosystem, at least one founder of the start-ups accepted to the Access Programme 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

Programme

timeline

Overview

A 12-month programme 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.

Programme 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 start-ups.

Growth acceleration (4 weeks)

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

Fundraising showcase

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

Ongoing support through incentives

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

Benefits of joining the programme

Access

Join a specialised ecosystem with regional and global players.

Capital

Gain access to VCs, fund managers, and investors looking to invest in tech start-ups.

Talent

Partnering with academic institutions to support entrepreneurship.

Partnerships

Connect with corporate partners and a global network of strategic partners

Startups enrolled in this programme

All Startups

At Cypherleak, we are focused on developing cutting edge technologies and delivering unparalleled cyber risk insights to businesses and organizations around the globe. By being part of the Hub71 ecosystem, we have been able to gain access to a vast network of strategic investors whose support will help us achieve our ambitions.

Founder and CEO - Cypher Leak

Mohamed Amine Belarbi

Working with Hub71 helped us to gain a vital foothold in Abu Dhabi Global Market. As an upcoming asset trading exchange, our success relied heavily on our ability to build strong connections within Abu Dhabi’s thriving technology and financial sector – Hub71’s vast ecosystem of partners gave us access to the connections and mentorship we needed to flourish.