The partnership brings together Hub71's founder-focused ecosystem and Fikra Ventures' Venture Studio platform to support the creation and scaling of AI companies designed to succeed in real markets, expanding from Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world.
Fikra Ventures We announced a partnership with Hub71. Abu Dhabi's global technology ecosystem. Build and scale an AI-native company from Abu Dhabi. Under this partnership, Fikra Ventures will join Hub71's ecosystem as a partner venture studio, act as a venture builder for Hub71's Initiate Program, build AI-native ventures in-house, and form joint ventures with selected global AI companies to pursue regional markets from Abu Dhabi. The agreement was signed at Hub71 by Wael Aburida, CEO and Managing Partner of Fikra Ventures, and Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71.
As AI adoption accelerates globally, long-term success is increasingly shaped by factors other than model performance. Distribution, access to regulated markets and speed to commercialization are also decisive advantages. The partnership brings together Hub71's founder-focused ecosystem and Fikra Ventures' Venture Studio platform to support the creation and scaling of AI companies designed to succeed in real markets, expanding from Abu Dhabi to the rest of the world.
As a founding member of the Initiate Programme, Fikra Ventures supports the development of AI startup clusters through two clearly defined pathways.
- Venture creation: Build AI-native companies internally and in partnership with founders based on validated market demand and embed enterprise-ready products and commercialization from day one.
- Global scale-in: We will support selected global AI companies entering the region by establishing joint ventures to pursue regional markets. Fikra builds the joint venture operating platform and execution necessary to accelerate customer acquisition and expansion.
“We strongly believe in the vision that Abu Dhabi will not only be the capital of capital, but also the capital of AI. We want to play our part in making that vision a reality. Fikra's ambition is to work with Abu Dhabi to build a world-leading AI-native venture studio, complementing the significant investments that Abu Dhabi is making in AI infrastructure by enabling us to scale globally from Dhabi's innovation leadership and ADGM. Supported by Hub71 within. ”
– Wael Aburida, CEO and Managing Partner, Fikra Ventures
“Hub71 is focused on helping high-potential technology companies scale up globally from Abu Dhabi by strengthening the commercial channels that turn innovation into lasting business. This partnership with Fikra Ventures will strengthen the ecosystem's venture-building and go-to-market capabilities, support the creation of new ventures, and enable global companies to expand into the region through Abu Dhabi with targeted go-to-market support.”
– Divya Nair, Startup Journey Lead, Hub71
Launched in 2025, Hub71's Initiate Program is designed to support founders in the ideation and pre-seed stages by helping them transform their ideas into a minimum viable product and establish product-market fit. Through this partnership, Fikra Ventures will enhance the program with practical venture-building expertise and support the development of AI-native companies aiming to scale globally from Abu Dhabi.
