Indian startups increasingly eye Abu Dhabi for global expansion: Hub71's Basma AlDhaheri

Abu Dhabi is emerging as a preferred international base for Indian startups seeking to test, validate and scale into the Middle East, Asia and Africa, driven by market access, partner networks and a growing investment ecosystem. Hub71, the emirate’s tech ecosystem vehicle, received more than 3,700 applications from outside the UAE in the first half of 2026, a figure Hub71 points to as evidence of rising founder interest in using Abu Dhabi as a launchpad for regional and cross-continental expansion.

"Founders today have more choice than ever about where they build and scale their businesses. They are making location decisions based on where they can access capital, the right partners and the conditions to build for scale, and Abu Dhabi is increasingly attractive because it offers exactly that," said Basma AlBadi AlDhaheri, Head of Value Creation at Hub71.

AlDhaheri framed Abu Dhabi’s appeal around a combination of stable regulation, commercial partnerships and ecosystem connectivity that can shorten the time it takes startups to establish credibility and win customers. She pointed to Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) as part of a "progressive regulatory environment" while highlighting flexible tax frameworks, access to global capital and strategic geographic positioning as material advantages for Indian founders weighing international expansion.

Hub71 has been actively structuring programmes and touchpoints to convert interest into tangible market entry. The hub’s Immersion Programme offers tailored market-entry support, regulatory guidance and introductions to investors, corporates and government stakeholders. Other initiatives, including Corporate Connect and VC Meets, are designed to facilitate early commercial conversations that can translate into pilots, partnerships and funding.

• Programmes referenced: Hub71 Immersion Programme, Corporate Connect, VC Meets
• Cross-border initiative: UAE–India Start-Up Series (expanded after its inaugural edition)
• Regulatory anchor: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

AlDhaheri also described how broader economic ties between India and the UAE — including trade and investment linkages under CEPA — have evolved into practical startup-level engagement. "Initiatives such as the UAE-India Startup Series have created structured pathways for Indian startups to engage directly with investors, corporates and ecosystem partners in Abu Dhabi," she said, noting that these early engagements help founders "understand the market, open the door to commercial opportunities and help build the relationships that support long-term growth."

Trends among Indian founders that Hub71 is observing include a more intentional approach to choosing expansion markets. Rather than treating internationalisation as an afterthought, founders are increasingly focused on identifying "which market is the right fit for our business, and how do we build there in a sustainable way," AlDhaheri noted. That mindset has driven demand for the UAE–India Start-Up Series, which expanded to support more startups following its inaugural run.

Outlook

Hub71’s 3,700-plus inbound applications in H1 2026 signal rising demand for Abu Dhabi as a scalable, credible base for Indian startups targeting multiple regions. With structured programmes, direct investor and corporate engagement and regulatory clarity through ADGM, the hub aims to convert founder interest into longer-term market presence. For Indian entrepreneurs weighing where to locate international operations, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a pragmatic option to access customers, capital and partnerships across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.