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6/17/25, 1:31 PM Abu Dhabi climbs startup ecosystem rankings despite global downturn – report - Aletihad News Center
ecosystem, with Hub71 at the heart of this transformation," Samantha Evans, Managing Director MENA at Startup

Genome, said in the report.

"Amid a global downturn, Abu Dhabi's long-term vision and collaborative strength are driving sustained growth. We
expect this momentum to accelerate, with Abu Dhabi poised to outperform many (of its) global peers in the coming

years."

According to the report, the emirate generated $4.4 billion in ecosystem value between July 2022 and December
2024, reflecting an annual growth rate of 6%. Abu Dhabi ranked among the top five MENA ecosystems in multiple key

areas, including Performance (3rd), Knowledge (4th), Funding (5th), and the prominent Bang for Buck category,
which measures the efficiency of capital deployment and returns on investment.

The emirate ranked particularly high in the market reach of its ecosystem and funding availability; however, it showed
room for improvement in knowledge and access to talent and expertise.

Remarkable Support for Startups

According to VivaTech, the success of Abu Dhabi's startup ecosystem is driven by a combination of forward-looking

government policies, targeted funding initiatives, and a robust support infrastructure.

"Abu Dhabi's rise in global rankings reflects the strength of our startup community and the impact of Hub71's
ecosystem-enabling initiatives," Hub71 CEO Ahmad Ali Alwan said in the report.

"Through strategic partnerships, access to capital, and a supportive regulatory environment, we are helping startups
scale internationally and contribute to Abu Dhabi's economic and technological ambitions."

Among the key sectors that are fuelling this growth are FinTech, ClimateTech, and Digital Assets, all underpinned by

innovative regulatory frameworks and purpose-built infrastructure.

Notable enablers such as the Abu Dhabi Global Market's (ADGM) expanded licensing frameworks and substantial

venture funding have attracted both local and international entrepreneurs, particularly in sustainability and blockchain

technology.

Moreover, initiatives like the Khalifa Fund's MZN HUB have helped streamline regulatory processes and offer startups

seamless access to global innovation networks, strengthening Abu Dhabi's influence on the international
entrepreneurial stage.

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