Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) and Hub71 have launched the first cycle of the MZN Hub71 Program, selecting 17 Emirati founders developing early-stage startups across priority and emerging sectors in the UAE.
The inaugural cohort was chosen from more than 370 applications, highlighting growing demand for structured support programs aimed at early-stage entrepreneurs.
Led by Khalifa Fund and delivered through MZN Hub Al Ain, the initiative is designed to provide Emirati founders with a pathway to transform business concepts into scalable ventures while strengthening the UAE’s innovation ecosystem.
The selected founders represent sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification strategy, including HealthTech, ClimateTech, FinTech, and AgriTech, alongside ventures integrating artificial intelligence across multiple industries.
According to program data, nearly 90 percent of participating founders are under the age of 35, while more than 75 percent are launching their first business ventures.
Female entrepreneurs account for 35 percent of the cohort, reflecting continued expansion in participation across the UAE startup landscape.
The program also demonstrated strong ecosystem collaboration, with 59 percent of selected founders referred through partner networks developed by Khalifa Fund and Hub71 to identify and support emerging entrepreneurial talent.
HE Khalifa Al Kuwaiti, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Sector at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said that, “We are pleased to launch the first MZN Hub71 cohort in collaboration with Hub71; it reflects Khalifa Fund’s commitment to empowering Emirati entrepreneurs and nurturing the next generation of national enterprises. Through MZN Al Ain, we are creating a structured pathway that enables founders to transform ideas into viable businesses, strengthen their capabilities, and contribute directly to the UAE’s economic diversification goals.”
Ahmad Ali Alwan CEO-Hub71
“MZN Hub71 reflects the growing momentum among Emirati founders building ventures from Abu Dhabi. This cohort brings together an impressive group of founding teams developing timely solutions well positioned to enter the market. At Hub71, we are proud to support founders from the earliest stages, helping them build strong foundations, validate their ideas, and scale their businesses.”
The three-month program at MZN Hub Al Ain guides founders through multiple development stages, from concept creation to execution, including minimum viable product development, market validation, and launch preparation.
The initiative will conclude with a Demo Day event, where founders will present their ventures to investors, government stakeholders, and ecosystem partners, creating opportunities for funding, strategic partnerships, and commercial expansion.
Following program completion, participating founders will continue to receive access to Abu Dhabi’s wider innovation ecosystem, including capital networks, commercial opportunities, and strategic support aimed at scaling ventures regionally and internationally.
