Abu Dhabi Opens Tech Gateway for Indian Startups

Indian entrepreneurs now have a clearer path to global markets through a growing innovation corridor between India and Abu Dhabi.

Hub71, Abu Dhabi's premier tech ecosystem, announced the second edition of the UAE-India Start-Up Series at its annual Impact Event 2026. The program connects high-potential Indian startups with the resources they need to scale internationally.

The initiative focuses on sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi's innovation priorities, including HealthTech, FinTech, ClimateTech, and Advanced Manufacturing. Selected founders gain access to investors, corporate partners, regulators, and the broader UAE ecosystem as they explore expansion opportunities.

Start-Up Series 2.0 offers concrete support for participating companies. Three startups will join Hub71's Access Programme, with one receiving up to AED 500,000 (approximately $136,000) split between cash and in-kind incentives, plus mentorship and investor introductions.

Seven additional startups will participate in the Hub71 Immersion Programme. This two-week experience combines virtual preparation on the UAE market with in-person sessions at Hub71, focused on market entry strategies and partner networking.

The first edition already delivered results. Endimension, an AI-powered radiology platform, joined Hub71's Access Programme and now serves over 800 hospitals, having analyzed more than 1.5 million scans. Four other startups from the inaugural series completed immersion programming and showcased at the Impact Event.

The Ripple Effect

The partnership builds on the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), creating practical pathways for innovation exchange. With over 10,000 applications to the first edition, the program has become one of India's largest startup initiatives of its kind.

Ahmad Ali Alwan, Hub71's CEO, emphasized the focus on founders with strong market validation and global potential. The program provides entrepreneurs with networks and opportunities to support their next growth phase.

Applications for Start-Up Series 2.0 open in July, with a more rigorous selection process and deeper engagement with Abu Dhabi's investment community.

The corridor connecting Indian entrepreneurial talent with capital, customers, and infrastructure continues to strengthen, turning bilateral agreements into tangible opportunities for innovators.