Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem, is expanding its Initiate programme for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders following strong demand, with nearly 5,500 applications received since its launch.
The early-stage programme combines venture-building expertise with practical founder development, helping entrepreneurs validate ideas, understand market demand, develop business models and prepare their ventures for commercial growth.
Initiate has also gained momentum through a series of workshops designed to help aspiring founders take their first steps towards building startups. Seven sessions held across July and August attracted 500 participants and covered areas including problem validation, customer discovery, venture-building and co-founder identification.
Delivered with support from Hub71 partners, the workshops provide practical tools, industry insights and opportunities for founders to connect with Abu Dhabi’s growing startup ecosystem.
Hub71 has expanded its venture-builder network by adding Disrupt.com and TMC2 MEA, giving founders access to a broader range of technical, commercial and investor expertise across multiple sectors.
An early milestone for the programme has also been reached with the selection of Prism56, an AI-driven platform developed by Fikra Ventures to automate venture capital deal evaluation and investment committee workflows.
Prism56 has progressed from concept to minimum viable product and will now enter validation and pilot deployment through Initiate. As a studio-led startup, it will continue receiving venture-building support, mentorship and resources from Fikra Ventures as it works towards commercialisation.
Hub71 will provide Prism56 with licensing and office space support for one year, alongside access to its wider ecosystem of more than 150 corporate, government and investment partners, service providers and founder communities.
Through Initiate, founders at the ideation and pre-seed stages receive hands-on support to test their ideas, validate opportunities and build scalable ventures. The programme also provides aspiring entrepreneurs with workshops, networks and practical guidance to develop the capabilities required to launch a startup.
Startups completing Initiate can progress into Hub71’s Access programme, creating a pathway from early-stage ideas through to growth within Abu Dhabi’s wider technology ecosystem.
The expansion of Initiate highlights the growing demand for structured early-stage support and strengthens Hub71’s role in developing a pipeline of technology startups capable of contributing to Abu Dhabi’s innovation economy.
