Abu Dhabi enters the list of the top 50 emerging ecosystems for startups globally

ABU DHABI, 17 JUNE / WAM / Abu Dhabi has consolidated its distinguished position among the top 50 startup ecosystems around the world, after the value of its ecosystem increased by 3,057 percent to reach (270 billion dirhams) (73.4 billion US dollars) according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report GSER for the year 2026, issued by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

The emirate’s system ranked 41-50 globally, ahead of the 51-60 ranks in the previous year, in a move that represents one of Abu Dhabi’s most notable achievements so far in the global report’s rankings for the startup ecosystem.

This rise reflects the continued progress in building a globally interconnected innovation ecosystem, supported by increased startup activity, enhanced access to capital, and a growing concentration of talent and technology companies.

The report, which was unveiled during the VivaTech Paris event, is based on data from more than 5.5 million companies within more than 350 entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems around the world.

Abu Dhabi also achieved advanced rankings in several categories within the Middle East and North Africa region, strengthening its position as one of the most dynamic start-up destinations in the region.

In light of Hub71’s role in supporting the growth of the global technology ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, the GSER 2026 report shed light on the emirate.

The value of the startup ecosystem in Abu Dhabi (270 billion dirhams) reached US$73.4 billion according to the GSER 2026 report during the period from July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025, recording a growth of 3,057 percent compared to the period 2018-2020. The value of the ecosystem is a measure of economic impact, as it is calculated on the basis of the value of exits and evaluations of startup companies.

It ranked second among the ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa region on the criterion of the cluster of companies based on artificial intelligence, which measures the size and intensity of activity of emerging companies working in artificial intelligence within the system.

It ranked fourth among the systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the R&D engine standard, which measures innovation through research activity and patents, and also ranked fourth among the systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the performance standard, which measures the size and performance of the system based on the cumulative value of emerging technology companies resulting from exits and financing.

The emirate ranked fifth among the systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the financing momentum standard, which measures innovation through financing in the early stages and investor activity, and also ranked fifth among the systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the talent power standard, which measures long-term trends in the most prominent performance factors and the system’s ability to develop and retain talent.

It ranked among the top 15 systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the funding adequacy period criterion, which measures the average operating period that emerging technology companies obtain from venture capital rounds, and also among the top 15 systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the talent criterion at a competitive cost, which measures the ability to employ talent in the field of technology.

These results highlight the progress that Abu Dhabi has achieved in creating the necessary ingredients for innovation-based growth. With the support of long-term investments, an advanced regulatory environment, and a coordinated system-wide approach, the emirate continues to attract founders, support the growth of technology companies, and enable emerging companies to expand into global markets.

The strong performance in the technology sectors reflects the breadth and increasing maturity of Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, especially in artificial intelligence, financial technology, climate technology, Web 3, and digital assets.

Hub71 played a pivotal role in transforming Abu Dhabi’s strategic advantages into tangible results for founders, by connecting startups with investors, major corporations, regulators, and access to global markets. The global technology ecosystem provides founders with access to capital, a vibrant community, market entry support, and a growing network of strategic partners from governments and companies across priority sectors.

Ahmed Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said: “Through a series of startups in the UAE and India, Hub71 welcomes a new group of founders who are building companies with strong market foundations and promising potential for growth and expansion globally.

The program allows them to benefit from expertise, networks, and opportunities that support the next stage of growth for their companies. We are proud to support these founders in expanding their business and strengthening their presence in new markets.”

Samantha Evans, General Manager of the Middle East and North Africa region at Startup Genome, said: “Abu Dhabi’s jump of more than 10 places in one year places it among the most dynamic emerging ecosystems in the Middle East and North Africa region, and makes it a reference model for one of the most clear and well-planned ecosystem building strategies in the region. Its rise in artificial intelligence, financial technology, climate technology, Web 3 and digital assets, in addition to the performance of startups, demonstrates the importance of the institutional support that Hub71 provides in Accelerating system maturity.”

Financial technology, climate technology, Web 3, and digital assets are among the most prominent sectors driving the innovation ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, supported by an advanced regulatory environment, specialized infrastructure by sector, and strategic partnerships.

This progress is based on a series of qualitative initiatives, most notably the regulatory framework for virtual assets in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the specialized Hub71+ systems, the national efforts led by Abu Dhabi to enhance artificial intelligence infrastructure, the G42’s advanced 200-megawatt “Emirates Stargate” artificial intelligence project, and NVIDIA’s partnership with the Technological Innovation Institute (TII) to launch the first NVIDIA Center for Artificial Intelligence Technology in the Middle East, in addition to the Hub71 group of more Focused on artificial intelligence so far, with more than 80 percent of startups developing AI-based solutions.

Abu Dhabi’s continued rise in global rankings highlights the strength of its strategy and the growth of its startup ecosystem, which combines policies, capital and institutional support, enhancing the emirate’s global competitiveness as a leading center for innovation.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Report is one of the most prominent benchmarks for startup ecosystems around the world, as it focuses on evaluating important factors including the value of the ecosystem, funding, talent, research activity, and access to markets.

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