Hub71 adds Fikra as AI venture builder
Partnership to build and scale AI-native companies in Abu Dhabi
#UAE #startups - Abu Dhabi global tech ecosystem Hub71 has announced a partnership with venture studio Fikra Ventures to build and scale AI-native companies from Abu Dhabi. Under the partnership, Fikra Ventures joins Hub71’s ecosystem as a partner venture studio and will operate as a venture builder for Hub71’s new Initiate Programme, building AI-native ventures in-house and forming joint ventures with selected global AI companies to pursue the regional market from Abu Dhabi.
SO WHAT? - As AI adoption accelerates globally, long-term success is increasingly shaped by factors beyond model performance, with distribution, access to regulated markets and speed to commercialisation becoming decisive advantages. This partnership brings together Hub71’s founder-focused ecosystem, backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company, with Fikra Ventures’ venture studio platform to support the creation and scaling of AI companies designed to succeed in real markets, starting in Abu Dhabi and expanding globally.
Here are some key points about the new partnership:
Abu Dhabi global tech ecosystem Hub71 has partnered with venture studio Fikra Ventures to build and scale AI-native companies from Abu Dhabi, with Fikra joining Hub71’s ecosystem as a partner venture studio and venture builder.
The agreement was signed by Wael Aburida, CEO & Managing Partner of Fikra Ventures, and Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71.
As a founding member of Hub71’s Initiate Programme, Fikra Ventures will support the development of an AI startup cluster through two clearly defined pathways: venture creation building AI-native companies in-house and global scale-in supporting international AI companies entering the region.
The venture creation pathway will build AI-native companies in-house and in partnership with founders around validated market demand, with enterprise-ready products and commercialisation embedded from day one rather than focusing purely on technology development.
The global scale-in pathway will support selected global AI companies entering the region by forming joint ventures to pursue the regional market, with Fikra building the joint-venture operating platform and execution required to accelerate customer acquisition and scale.
Hub71’s Initiate Programme was launched in 2025 and is designed to support founders at the ideation and pre-seed stage by helping them transform ideas into minimum viable products and establish product-market fit through structured support.
Through this partnership, Fikra Ventures enhances the Initiate Programme with hands-on venture-building expertise, supporting the development of AI-native companies designed to scale globally from Abu Dhabi with commercial pathways embedded from inception.
Hub71 is backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company, providing founders with access to markets, a capital ecosystem, a global network of partners and highly skilled talent governed by forward-thinking regulation.
Fikra Ventures is an AI venture builder focused on turning ideas into enduring businesses through disciplined execution, building AI-native companies in-house and partnering selectively with global AI companies seeking market access across the region.
ZOOM OUT - The Fikra Ventures partnership follows Hub71's record-breaking Cohort 17 announced in 2025, which welcomed 21 AI-driven startups representing 81% of the 26 companies accepted. Selected from over 2,000 global applications, participants came from 12 countries including the US, UK, Singapore and India to tackle challenges across healthcare, finance, energy and climate technology sectors. The momentum demonstrates Abu Dhabi's growing reputation as a destination for AI companies seeking access to regulated markets, capital and commercialisation pathways.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about AI startups at Hub17:
Hub71 onboards record 21 AI startups (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi Hub71 attracts 13 AI-powered startups (Middle East AI News)
Abu Dhabi unveils Hub71+ AI to boost AI startups (Middle East AI News)