Abu Dhabi Startup Ecosystem Ranks Third in MENA for Performance
Abu Dhabi has entered the global top 60 emerging startup ecosystems according to Startup Genome's 2025 report, generating $4.4 billion in value and ranking third in MENA for ecosystem performance.
Jun 17, 2025
Abu Dhabi has been ranked among the top 60 emerging startup ecosystems globally in the 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome. The emirate moved from the 61–70 bracket into the 51–60 tier, reflecting strong performance despite a 14% global decline in startup valuations.
Between July 1st 2022 and December 31st 2024, Abu Dhabi's startup ecosystem generated $4.4 billion in value, placing third in the MENA region for overall performance. The ranking is based on key indicators including startup valuations, venture capital activity, and major exits. Abu Dhabi also placed among the top five MENA ecosystems for funding, talent, knowledge, and capital efficiency.
Fintech, climatetech, and digital assets were identified as the emirate's most competitive sectors, supported by national economic diversification efforts and initiatives such as Hub71 and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Startups in the Hub71 ecosystem have raised over $2.17 billion to date.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
Addleshaw Goddard secures license to operate in Abu Dhabi - Middle East Business News and Information
Firm expands into ADGM to support UAE's economic diversification and deliver world-class legal services across key sectors under Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June, 2025: International law firm Addleshaw Goddard has announced that it has obtained its license to operate in Abu Dhabi, further strengthening its presence in the Middle East. The firm has also opened a new office in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the capital's leading international financial centre. This milestone builds on the firm's strategic ambition to expand its footprint across the Middle East and support clients in one of the region's key economic hubs. Abu Dhabi's dynamic economy, underpinned by Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, prioritises reducing reliance on oil, fostering knowledge-based industries, and establishing a globally integrated business environment. Addleshaw Goddard's expansion into the capital aligns seamlessly with these goals, as the firm brings world-class legal expertise tailored to meet the diverse business needs of both local and international clients. This new office will serve as a critical resource, providing on-the-ground support for the firm's growing client base in sectors such as financial services, energy, infrastructure, and technology. It is also part of the firm's long-term vision in the Middle East, following other significant regional milestones, including the launch of its Riyadh office and celebrating over a decade of growth and operations in the Middle East. Robin Hickman, Head of Middle East at Addleshaw Goddard, said, 'Establishing a presence in Abu Dhabi is a vital step in our regional strategy and reflects our commitment to supporting our clients where they need us most. With Abu Dhabi's visionary economic plans and rapidly diversifying economy, this expansion enables us to play a key role in delivering legal solutions that drive growth and innovation.' With nearly 100 fee earners and 27 Partners across its Middle East offices, Addleshaw Goddard continues to push boundaries, doubling its regional income growth in recent years. The Abu Dhabi office will further cement the firm's position as a trusted partner, driving economic progress and supporting key industries in the region. About Addleshaw Goddard: Addleshaw Goddard is a global law firm with 2,800+ partners and employees across our 21 offices spanning key commercial centres around the world. Six in the UK – London, Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen; eight in Europe – four in Germany and one in Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Poland and Spain; a further four in the GCC – Doha, Dubai, Muscat, and Riyadh; and one in Asia – Singapore. We have over 450 Partners and nearly 2,000 lawyers and fee-earners worldwide. In the Middle East we have 27 Partners and close to 100 other fee earners.
Mid East Info
4 days ago
- Mid East Info
Stryde Acquires Qora71 to Launch Stryde71, Creating a New Force in Venture Capital - Middle East Business News and Information
Acquisition of Qora71, launched with the support of Hub71's Angel Investor Program, marks Stryde's entry into global tech investing Abu Dhabi, UAE – June, 2025 – Stryde, a DFSA-regulated digital investment platform, has announced the acquisition of Qora71, the region's fastest growing angel investment network. As part of the deal, Qora71 will be rebranded as Stryde71, establishing a new vertical within the Stryde ecosystem focused on venture capital and technology deals syndication. The acquisition marks Stryde's entry into global venture capital and strengthens its position as a multi-vertical private markets investment platform enabling individuals and institutions to seamlessly access global deals. Alongside Stryde Sports, Stryde71 expands venture capital access to both qualified and retail investors. Additional verticals are in development, as Stryde advances its mission to unlock high quality alternative investments. Qora71 was launched with support of Hub71's Angel Investor Support Package with the aim of unlocking greater access to early-stage capital for founders across the Middle East. In just five months, the network built a community of more than 130 angel investors and facilitated more than 50 investments, deploying over $2 million in capital, with over $1m additional in the pipeline. Founded by Youssef Salem, Qora71 quickly became a platform for community-led investing, enabling strategic capital formation through a digitally enabled syndicate model. 'Bringing Qora71 into the Stryde family is a major milestone,' said Hadi Halabi, Co-founder, Stryde. 'Yousef's leadership and what Qora71 built at Hub71 in record time is nothing short of inspirational. Together, we're unlocking the next generation of startup investing in the region and globally.' Youssef Salem who now joins Stryde as Partner said: 'Qora71 was born out of a desire to give exceptional founders access to meaningful capital, connectivity, and market access, all powered by a community of strategic angels. In five short months, we proved that vision. Now with Stryde, we can scale that impact exponentially.' Stryde71 combines Qora71's community-driven syndicate model with Stryde's DFSA-regulated platform offering a seamless, end-to-end investment experience. Marking Stryde's entry into Abu Dhabi via ADGM, the new arm enables retail and qualified investors to co-invest in exclusive startup deals, while giving founders a one-stop platform to raise capital across early and growth stages. Basma Ahmed AlBadi AlDhaheri, Head of Value Creation at Hub71 said: 'Through Qora71, we supported early-stage investors and catalyzed meaningful outcomes, facilitating capital deployment into high-potential startups and accelerating their growth. The launch of Stryde71 is a natural next step. It reflects not only the success of the initiative, but also the collective progress of our community and our broader mission to strengthen Abu Dhabi's capital landscape.' The acquisition reflects the growing momentum behind early-stage funding in Abu Dhabi and the increasing availability of infrastructure supporting founders across the venture landscape. As the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for innovation, Stryde71 represents a new model of regulated, community-driven investing designed to accelerate startup growth and attract global capital. About Stryde: Stryde is a DFSA-regulated digital multi-vertical private markets investment platform enabling individuals and institutions to seamlessly access global deals, offering a seamless, end-to-end investment experience. About Hub71: Hub71 is Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem that enables founders to build globally enduring homegrown tech companies in any sector by providing access to global markets, a capital ecosystem, a global network of partners, and a vibrant community filled with highly skilled talent governed by forward-thinking regulation. Backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Investment Company, Hub71 is growing its vibrant community of tech startups, investors, government, and corporate partners to ensure the availability of investment, commercial activities, and incentives from the public and private sectors. Through Hub71's entrepreneurial infrastructure, value-add programs, enabling services and support packages, founders can build, and scale widely adopted technologies with purpose and impact. Hub71 is on a mission to introduce new minds and technologies to Abu Dhabi, finding new ways to build globally enduring technology companies and sustain the nation's continuous economic development.
CairoScene
5 days ago
- CairoScene
Dubai-Based Investment Platform Stryde Acquires Angel Network Qora71
Dubai-based investment platform Stryde has acquired Qora71, an angel syndicate supported by Hub71 in Abu Dhabi. Rebranded as Stryde71, the new arm gives investors expanded access to VC opportunities. Jun 24, 2025 Stryde, a digital investment platform regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), has acquired Qora71, a Hub71-backed angel investor network based in Abu Dhabi. The network has now been relaunched as Stryde71, allowing broader participation in venture capital deals for both retail and qualified investors. Originally founded with support from Hub71's Angel Investor Support Programme, Qora71 built a community of over 130 active angels and deployed more than $2 million across 50 early-stage startup investments in under six months. Through its acquisition, Stryde is integrating Qora71's syndication model into its broader private market offerings, enabling end-to-end access to global startup deal flow. The new Stryde71 platform offers co-investment opportunities to individuals previously locked out of VC markets, supporting deal discovery, due diligence, and execution. Qora71 founder Youssef Salem has joined Stryde as Partner, with plans to scale the angel investing model across multiple markets. 'Qora71 was born out of a desire to give exceptional founders access to meaningful capital, connectivity, and market access, all powered by a community of strategic angels. In five short months, we proved that vision. Now with Stryde, we can scale that impact exponentially,' Salem said. Stryde71 joins other verticals under the Stryde umbrella, including Stryde Sports, with additional sectors currently under development. ith this integration, Stryde71 aims to transform startup investing into a more accessible, transparent, and scalable experience—reinforcing the UAE's position as a rising global hub for innovation and private capital.
