Abu Dhabi is doubling down on homegrown entrepreneurship. Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) and Hub71 have joined forces to launch the MZN Hub71 Programme, a new initiative aimed at supporting Emirati entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of their startup journey.
The partnership was formalized during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, marking a strategic step to strengthen Al Ain’s role within Abu Dhabi’s wider innovation and startup ecosystem.
Hosted at the newly established MZN Hub in Al Ain, the programme will support 10 to 15 Emirati startups per cohort through an intensive three-month journey, helping founders turn ideas into minimum viable products (MVPs). The initiative aligns with Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Economy vision, focusing on diversification, sustainability, and innovation, while also supporting Khalifa Fund’s broader AI-driven ecosystem strategy.
By combining Khalifa Fund’s expertise in nurturing Emirati entrepreneurs with Hub71’s experience in scaling technology startups, the programme offers a full-stack support model—from ideation to market readiness. Beyond this initial launch, the agreement also opens the door for both entities to co-develop specialized programmes aligned with global best practices.
The MZN Hub71 Programme is structured across three key stages:
- Academy Stage: Founders build core business capabilities through workshops and mentorship covering financial modeling, pricing strategies, and go-to-market planning.
- Validation Stage: Startups deepen their understanding of customer needs and market dynamics while engaging with corporate partners to explore real-world opportunities.
- Prototyping Stage: Teams refine their products, receive support for UAE legal incorporation, and sharpen growth strategies ahead of market entry.
Throughout the programme, founders will benefit from weekly workshops, mentorship sessions, progress reviews, and follow-ups. The journey culminates in a Demo Day, where startups pitch their solutions to government stakeholders, investors, and private-sector leaders.
Beyond the programme itself, participants will be embedded within Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, gaining long-term access to investors, strategic partners, and market-entry opportunities. The goal is not only to build startups, but to develop national entrepreneurial capacity, empower Emirati talent, and accelerate the UAE’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
Applications for the first cohort are now open to Emirati founders with innovative ideas. The inaugural cohort will be announced soon, with additional cohorts planned to launch in early 2026.
