UAE Picks 17 Emirati Founders for New Startup Programme

Seventeen young Emirati entrepreneurs are about to get a career-changing opportunity thanks to a new startup programme launching in the UAE's Al Ain region.

The MZN Hub71 Programme, created by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and Hub71, selected these founders from a pool of 370 applications. The response shows just how hungry young Emiratis are for support in turning their business ideas into reality.

The numbers tell an encouraging story about who's building the future in the UAE. Nearly 90 percent of selected founders are under 35, and more than three-quarters are launching their very first ventures.

Women make up 35 percent of the cohort, continuing a positive trend of expanding female participation in the startup world. More than half the founders came through partner networks, showing that the collaborative ecosystem in Abu Dhabi is actually working to find and support new talent.

The startups tackle problems that matter right now. Founders are building solutions in healthcare technology, climate tech, financial services, and agricultural innovation, with many applying artificial intelligence across these sectors.

The three-month programme gives founders more than just a nice title. They'll work through structured phases to build minimum viable products, test their ideas with real customers, and prepare for launch day.

At the end, founders present their ventures on Demo Day to investors, government officials, and potential partners. That's where real opportunities for funding and growth partnerships happen.

The Ripple Effect

This programme creates something the UAE hasn't had before: a clear entry point for Emirati founders to access the country's startup ecosystem. By starting in Al Ain and connecting to Hub71's global network, the initiative builds a pipeline of homegrown innovation that can compete internationally.

The support doesn't end after three months either. Founders get continued access to capital, commercial opportunities, and strategic guidance as they scale their businesses.

Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, emphasized the quality of this first group. "This cohort brings together an impressive group of founding teams developing timely solutions well positioned to enter the market," he said.

Khalifa Al Kuwaiti, who leads the Entrepreneurship Sector at Khalifa Fund, explained the bigger vision. The programme creates "a structured pathway that enables founders to transform ideas into viable businesses" while contributing to the UAE's economic diversification goals.

By investing in founders who understand local challenges and opportunities, the UAE is building companies that can serve both regional needs and global markets from day one.