Hub71, Abu Dhabi's government-backed tech ecosystem, has selected 40 startups for Cohort 19, its largest intake to date, from a record 2,502 applications sent from 117 countries.
The selection gives Hub71 an acceptance rate of 1.6%. The incoming startups have raised a combined $296 million (AED 1.09 billion), 29% more than the companies in Cohort 18.
"Cohort 19 reflects the growing depth and maturity of the companies joining Hub71," said Ahmad Ali Alwan, Hub71's chief executive officer.
The cohort spans pre-seed to Series A. It includes six Series A companies, up from two in the previous cohort. AI sits at the core of 90% of the selected startups, and more than two-thirds work in sectors Hub71 treats as priorities.
Founders come from 14 countries, and 88% of the startups come from markets outside the UAE. Hub71 said it sourced 85% of the companies directly or through referrals from its partners, founders and investors.
Tracks and startups
Twelve startups will join Hub71's sector-agnostic Access Program. Another 19 will enter its specialist tracks: seven in Hub71+ Life Sciences and six each in Hub71+ Digital Assets and Hub71+ ClimateTech.
UK-headquartered TurinTech AI, which builds a platform that automates code modernization, has raised $15 million. U.S.-based Remarkable AI, a customer retention platform for e-commerce brands, raised $14 million will both join the cohort.
Emirati-founded Mosadad, which helps insurers settle motor claims faster, has also raised $540,000 in pre-seed funding will also join.
Six startups joined through Anjal Z, an early childhood program Hub71 runs with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority. Yousef Al Hammadi, the authority's executive director of knowledge and impact, said innovation should be measured by the difference it makes in a child's life.
Cohort 19 is also the first intake through a pathway into Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. That track drew more than 100 applications for three places, which went to Autolane, Robox and Sinaha Technology.
Applications to Hub71+ Life Sciences nearly doubled from the previous cohort.
What startups receive
The selected companies join Hub71's 12-month Access Program, which offers up to AED 500,000 in incentives, along with mentorship, workshops and access to investors, corporate partners and government partners. Top-performing startups may qualify for more support.
With Cohort 19, Hub71's community grows to 644 startups.
The previous intake, Cohort 18, selected 27 startups from 2,453 applications sent from 112 countries, with an acceptance rate of 1.1%. All 27 were headquartered outside the UAE.
