Abu Dhabi is gearing up to host Impact Defined 2026, a premier gathering that brings together leading startups, top-tier investors, and vital strategic partners to chart the future of the regional tech ecosystem. Scheduled for June 9–10, 2026, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, this dynamic two-day event is designed for founders, venture capitalists, corporate innovators, and government stakeholders. Attendees will dive into thought-provoking discussions, network with ecosystem enablers, and explore Abu Dhabi’s rapidly growing potential as a global tech and investment powerhouse.
Event Details
- What: Impact Defined 2026 (Hub71 Impact Event)
- When: June 9–10, 2026 (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
- Where: Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Focus Areas: Startups, Tech Innovation, Venture Capital, AI, Financial Infrastructure, and Ecosystem Resilience
About The Event
Impact Defined is the flagship annual event organized by Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem. The event serves as a critical convergence point for the MENA region’s tech scene, driving conversations around innovation, sustainable market growth, and investment. Building on previous milestones, the 2026 edition centers on uncovering what it takes to build enduring, resilient companies from the UAE for the global stage. It offers an exclusive window into the tech community’s achievements, highlighted by the live unveiling of Hub71’s annual Impact Report, which details the ecosystem’s most significant growth metrics and milestones.
What to Expect
- Keynote Talks & Panel Discussions: Gain insights from global thought leaders, policymakers, and pioneering founders across multiple dedicated chapters focused on regional creation, enablement, and scaling.
- Hub71 Impact Report Live Unveiling: Be the first to unpack the annual report highlighting the key numbers, trends, and success stories defining the ecosystem’s trajectory.
- High-Impact Networking: Connect directly with a diverse mix of startup founders, institutional investors, government officials, and corporate entities through structured ecosystem activations.
- Flagship Fundraising Roadshow: Witness twelve high-growth tech ventures present their solutions on stage to active investors looking for the region’s next breakout success.
- Ecosystem Activations: Engage in interactive learning experiences designed to maximize collaboration, insights, and strategic partnerships.
Featured Speakers
- H.E. Ruba Al Hassan – Director General of Strategic Affairs & Future Foresight, Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi
- Ahmad Ali Alwan – CEO, Hub71
- Magnus Olsson – Founder & Managing Director, Careem
- H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Shimmari – Executive Director, National Workforce Enablement Sector, Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi
- Jayesh Patel – CEO, Wio Bank PJSC
- Stephan Muller – Director – GCC, Whoop
- Chris Rogers – Partner, Knollwood & Board Member, Hub71
- Amna Al Qubaisi – First Female Emirati F1 Racer
Key Themes for 2026
- We Built It Here: Exploring the journey of turning Abu Dhabi into a launchpad for globally ambitious tech companies, emphasizing organizational resilience and long-term value creation.
- Building an AI-Ready Nation: Addressing the digital infrastructure, government frameworks, and talent capabilities required to scale artificial intelligence in the UAE.
- Financial & Supply Chain Resilience: Unpacking the future of trusted digital financial infrastructure, open banking, food security, and logistics in one of the world’s most dynamic economic corridors.
- We Enabled It Here: Deep dives into why leading global brands choose the UAE as their primary growth market and learning how category-defining companies were built before established playbooks existed.
How to Attend
Registration is open to founders, investors, corporate partners, government representatives, media, and students looking to engage with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant tech landscape. Attendees can apply for access, choose their preferred attendance days, and secure their passes by filling out the registration form directly on the Impact Hub71 Website.
About The Organizers
Impact Defined is organized by Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem. Backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Investment Company, Hub71 provides tech startups with access to a global network of partners, capital markets, and a highly supportive regulatory environment to help them scale globally from the capital of the UAE.
Learn More: Impact Hub71
