Hub71+ Life Sciences launched to accelerate innovation in biotech, medTech & digital health

Abu Dhabi's startup scene just got a big shot in the arm. Hub71, the emirate's flagship tech ecosystem, has unveiled Hub71+ Life Sciences — a specialized hub aimed at fast-tracking innovation in biotech, medtech, and digital health. Think of it as a launchpad where science meets scalability, connecting founders to hospitals, regulators, investors, and industry powerhouses all under one roof.

As Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, put it, "With Hub71+ Life Sciences, we are channeling that experience into a dedicated environment where founders, researchers, market players, and investors can collaborate to advance healthcare innovation."

How does it work?

At its core, Hub71+ Life Sciences is a collaborative playground for health innovators. It plugs startups directly into Abu Dhabi's health ecosystem, offering access to:

• Clinical validation - work with hospitals and research centers to test and prove your ideas.
• Regulatory support - partner with authorities like the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi (DoH) and the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE) to navigate approvals faster.
• Funding and partnerships - connect with investors and corporations eager to back life-saving tech.
• Proof-of-concept opportunities - run real-world pilots to bring solutions from the lab to the clinic.

The initiative ties together 12 founding and anchor partners, including Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), and Ultrahuman. Together, they form a living lab where data-driven care, advanced manufacturing, and precision medicine aren't buzzwords — they're business models in motion.

Why does it matter?

Healthcare isn't just about hospitals anymore — it's about harnessing data, AI, and biotechnology to predict, prevent, and personalize care. The Middle East's healthcare market is projected to hit $412 billion by 2032, and Abu Dhabi is making sure it's at the center of that storm.

Hub71+ Life Sciences isn't just supporting startups; it's creating an innovation economy. By turning research into revenue and patient outcomes, Abu Dhabi is cementing its role as a global healthcare innovator. As Alwan said, "Since 2019, Hub71 has supported hundreds of startups that have helped shape Abu Dhabi's innovation landscape." Now, it's pushing deeper — into the very heart of human health.

The context

This launch fits neatly into a broader strategy. Abu Dhabi's government has been investing heavily in its HELM cluster — which stands for Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine — and aligning with partners like the Department of Health and ADIO to create a future-proof life sciences economy.

Hub71's track record speaks volumes: nearly 300 startups have already raised AED 9 billion and generated AED 5 billion in revenue. With verticals like Hub71+ Digital Assets, Hub71+ ClimateTech, and Hub71+ AI, the new life sciences arm is the next logical — and arguably most meaningful — step in Abu Dhabi's mission to become a beacon for global innovation.

In short, Abu Dhabi is betting big on biotech, and it's doing it with precision.