Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global technology ecosystem, has announced its support for the second edition of the UAE-India Start-Up Series, a cross-border innovation programme led by the UAE-India CEPA Council to help high-potential Indian startups expand through the UAE and access global growth opportunities.
The announcement came during the annual Hub71 Impact Event 2026 and marks the next phase of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening startup collaboration between India and Abu Dhabi. The initiative builds on a framework established in November 2025 that enabled Indian startups across emerging technology sectors to access Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem through Hub71’s programmes and resources.
Since the launch of the first edition, the partnership has delivered tangible outcomes through Hub71’s Access and Immersion Programmes, helping Indian startups explore international expansion opportunities and connect with investors, regulators, corporates, and industry leaders.
Through Start-Up Series 2.0, Hub71 and the UAE-India CEPA Council will identify and support Indian startups with strong regional and global growth potential. The programme will focus on sectors aligned with Abu Dhabi’s innovation priorities, including HealthTech, FinTech, ClimateTech, Advanced Manufacturing and other emerging technology domains.
Selected founders will gain direct access to Hub71’s extensive network of investors, corporate partners, regulators, and ecosystem stakeholders while evaluating Abu Dhabi as a strategic base for regional and international expansion.
Under the new programme, participating startups will receive a structured support package designed to accelerate their market entry and business growth.
Three startups will secure spots on Hub71’s Access Programme shortlist, with one startup ultimately joining the programme. The selected company will receive tailored mentorship, investor introductions, regulatory guidance, and access to Hub71’s government and corporate partner network. Additionally, the startup will qualify for up to AED 250,000 (approximately ₹65 lakh) in in-kind incentives and AED 250,000 (approximately ₹65 lakh) in cash support through a SAFE note.
Furthermore, Hub71 will select up to seven startups for its Immersion Programme. The initiative combines one week of virtual preparation focused on the Abu Dhabi and UAE business landscape with one week of in-person sessions at Hub71. Participants will receive market-entry guidance and introductions to key ecosystem partners, helping them navigate expansion opportunities more effectively.
The success of the inaugural edition has already demonstrated the programme’s impact. Endimension, an AI-first radiology platform, joined Hub71’s Access Programme as part of Cohort 18. Backed by investors including Inflection Point Ventures, SucSEED Indovation and SINE IIT Bombay, Endimension accelerates medical imaging analysis across X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. The company currently serves more than 800 hospitals and diagnostic centres and has analysed over 1.5 million scans.
In addition, four startups from the first UAE-India Start-Up Series—BioReform, Docket Run, Data Sutram, and SBNRI—entered Hub71’s Immersion Programme. These startups participated in personalized needs assessments, market-entry workshops, investor and corporate engagement sessions, regulatory briefings, ecosystem introductions, and a startup showcase during the Hub71 Impact Event.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Abdulnasser Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to India, said, “The UAE-India relationship is one of the most consequential bilateral partnerships of our time, rooted in deep historical ties and given new momentum by the CEPA. What matters now is translating that framework into tangible opportunity, and the UAE is firmly committed to building a genuine innovation corridor with India. The UAE-India Start-Up Series, delivered with the strong support of Hub71, is how we turn that ambition into reality, connecting Indian founders with Abu Dhabi’s capital, customers, and ecosystem, and giving them a clear route to scale across borders.”
“With more than 10,000 applications to its first edition, it is already one of the largest initiatives of its kind in India, and I am confident it will establish Abu Dhabi as the natural gateway for Indian innovators reaching global markets.”
Commenting on the programme, Ahmad Ali Alwan, Chief Executive Officer of Hub71, said, “Through the UAE-India CEPA Council Startup Series, Hub71 is welcoming a cohort of ambitious founders building innovative companies with strong market validation and global potential. The programme provides entrepreneurs with access to the expertise, networks, and opportunities needed to support their next stage of growth and international expansion. We look forward to working with these founders as they scale their businesses and enter new markets.”
Applications for Start-Up Series 2.0 will open in July. The second edition will feature a more rigorous selection process and deeper engagement with Abu Dhabi’s investment community, corporate sector, and innovation ecosystem.
By strengthening connections between India’s entrepreneurial talent and Abu Dhabi’s capital, infrastructure, and market opportunities, Hub71 and its partners aim to build a sustainable innovation corridor that supports the global ambitions of Indian startups.
The launch of Start-Up Series 2.0 reflects the growing strength of the UAE-India innovation partnership and underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to becoming a global hub for entrepreneurship and technology. Through funding opportunities, mentorship, ecosystem access, and market-entry support, the programme provides Indian startups with a powerful platform to scale internationally. As cross-border innovation continues to accelerate, initiatives like Start-Up Series 2.0 will play a critical role in connecting emerging startups with global growth opportunities.
