Hub71 is expanding its Initiate programme in Abu Dhabi after receiving more than 5,500 applications from founders seeking early-stage startup support.
The programme combines venture-building expertise with practical founder development, helping participants refine ideas, validate market demand, develop business models and prepare for commercial growth. Its workshop series attracted 500 aspiring founders across seven sessions in July and August, covering problem validation, customer discovery, venture building and co-founder selection.
Hub71 has also added Disrupt.com and TMC2 MEA to its venture-builder network, widening access to technical, commercial and investor expertise across different sectors.
The programme’s first selected startup is Prism56, an AI platform developed by Fikra Ventures to automate venture capital deal evaluation and investment committee workflows. The startup has moved from concept to a minimum viable product and will now enter validation and pilot deployment.
According to the announcement, Prism56 will receive tailored venture-building support from Fikra Ventures, as well as licensing and office space support from Hub71 for one year. It will also gain access to Hub71’s wider network of more than 150 corporate, government and investment partners, service providers and founders.
Initiate supports founders at the ideation and pre-seed stages. Startups that complete the programme can progress to Hub71’s Access programme, creating a pathway from early concept to growth within Abu Dhabi’s technology ecosystem.
Source: Zawya
