Abu Dhabi, UAE — Abu Dhabi has entered the world’s top 50 emerging startup ecosystems after the value of its innovation ecosystem surged to $73.4 billion, according to the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Report published by Startup Genome and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
The emirate was ranked in the #41-50 category globally, improving from the #51-60 range a year earlier and marking one of its strongest advances in the annual rankings.
The report, unveiled at the VivaTech conference in Paris, analysed data from more than 5.5 million companies across over 350 entrepreneurial ecosystems worldwide.
Startup Genome said Abu Dhabi generated $73.4 billion in ecosystem value between July 2023 and December 2025, representing a growth of 3,057% compared with the 2018-2020 period. Ecosystem value measures the combined value of startup exits and company valuations.
The report highlighted Abu Dhabi’s performance across several regional categories. The emirate ranked second in the Middle East and North Africa region for AI-Native Cluster, reflecting the scale and intensity of artificial intelligence startup activity.
It was ranked fourth in MENA for both R&D Engine and Performance, while placing fifth for Funding Momentum and Talent Strength. Abu Dhabi also featured among the region’s top 15 ecosystems for Funding Runway and Affordable Talent.
The rankings reflect growth in startup activity, increased access to capital and a rising concentration of technology companies and skilled talent, according to the report.
Hub71 drives ecosystem growth
The report highlighted the role of Hub71 in supporting founders and technology companies as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its position as a global innovation hub.
Hub71 provides startups with access to investors, corporate partners, regulators and international markets, while supporting growth across priority sectors.
“Abu Dhabi’s continued progress reflects the strength of its innovation ecosystem and the collective efforts of founders, investors, corporates and ecosystem partners,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, chief executive of Hub71.
He said improved access to capital, specialised talent, supportive regulation and stronger market connections were helping startups scale and compete internationally.
Focus on AI, fintech and digital assets
The report identified artificial intelligence, fintech, climate technology, Web3 and digital assets as key strengths of Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape.
Among the developments supporting growth are the virtual asset regulatory framework established by Abu Dhabi Global Market, Hub71’s specialist ecosystem programmes and Abu Dhabi’s national AI infrastructure initiatives.
The report also cited the 200-megawatt Stargate UAE AI campus being developed by G42, as well as a partnership between NVIDIA and the Technology Innovation Institute to establish the Middle East’s first NVIDIA AI Technology Center.
According to the report, more than 80% of startups in Hub71’s latest cohort are developing AI-driven solutions.
Regional benchmark
Samantha Evans said Abu Dhabi’s rise by more than 10 places in a single year demonstrated the effectiveness of its ecosystem-building strategy.
She said progress across AI, fintech, climate technology, Web3 and startup performance showed how institutional support could accelerate ecosystem maturity.
The report said Abu Dhabi’s continued climb in global rankings reflected a long-term strategy combining policy support, investment, regulation and institutional backing to strengthen the emirate’s competitiveness as a centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.
