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6/17/25, 1:33 PM Abu Dhabi's Startup Ecosystem Ranked 3rd in MENA Despite Global Slowdown - UPPERNEWS: UAE news, Dubai news, technolo…
Abu Dhabi’s Startup Ecosystem Ranked 3rd in MENA Despite Global

Slowdown

17.06.2025 By UPPERNEWS TEAM 0 0

Abu Dhabi’s startup ecosystem has achieved significant recognition, emerging as one of the fastest-
growing hubs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This information comes from the 2025
Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER), which was launched today at VivaTech in Paris. The GSER is
known as the world’s most comprehensive research on startup ecosystems and evaluates data from over 5
million companies across more than 350 entrepreneurial innovation ecosystems globally.

Credit: ZAWYA

The GSER 2025 report highlights that Abu Dhabi has made impressive progress, climbing into the #51-60 tier of
emerging global ecosystems, up from the previous #61-70 ranking. This advancement occurred despite a global
14% decline in the overall value of startup ecosystems. Between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2024, Abu
Dhabi generated $4.4 billion (approximately AED 16.2 billion) in Ecosystem Value, reflecting a 6% annual
growth rate.

In addition to its global ranking, Abu Dhabi secured the 3rd position in the MENA region for Performance, a
category that assesses startup success based on valuations and exit activities. This recognition affirms Abu

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