A powerful new partnership between Mubadala Investment Company, global early-stage venture capital firm Antler, and Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem Hub71 has launched the National Founders Programme. This strategic six-week venture-building initiative is designed to identify breakthrough university research and transform it into commercially viable startups.
Program Overview
The National Founders Programme aims to bridge the critical gap between academic research and market-ready ventures. The initiative will create a structured pathway for high-potential researchers to build startups that are aligned with real-world industry needs. A key differentiator of the program is its strong focus on corporate collaboration, creating direct opportunities for the new ventures to partner with established companies for piloting, co-development, and strategic support.
Key Benefits
Selected participants will receive comprehensive support from three of the ecosystem’s most influential players:
- Venture Building Expertise: Antler will lead the early phases of the program, guiding founders through ideation, venture validation, and leadership development.
- Ecosystem Access & Scale-Up Support: Hub71 will host the program, providing participants with direct access to its extensive network of mentors, domain experts, and strategic partners, along with founder-focused services like regulatory support and go-to-market pathways.
- Strategic Backing: Mubadala’s involvement ensures the program is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s national vision to incubate new high-growth sectors and strengthen its knowledge economy.
About the Partnership
This initiative leverages the unique strengths of its three partners: Mubadala as the strategic investor driving the knowledge economy, Antler as the expert global venture builder, and Hub71 as the ecosystem enabler and scale-up platform. The program follows Mubadala’s recent investment in Antler, deepening the collaboration between the two entities.
Looking Ahead
The National Founders Programme addresses the common “lab-to-market” challenge by creating a well-resourced and highly connected pathway for deep-tech innovation. This strategic investment in homegrown intellectual property is poised to unlock a new pipeline of startups, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global hub for technology and entrepreneurship.
Source: Zawya
