Fikra Ventures has partnered with Hub71 to create and grow AI-native companies based in Abu Dhabi.
Under the partnership, Fikra Ventures becomes a partner venture studio within Hub71’s ecosystem. It will work as a venture builder for the Initiate Programme, creating AI startups in-house and forming joint ventures with global AI firms entering the region.
Wael Aburida, CEO & Managing Partner of Fikra Ventures, and Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, signed the agreement at Hub71.
As AI use rises worldwide, success depends on more than technology alone. Market reach, regulation and speed to launch now shape outcomes. This partnership links Hub71’s founder support with Fikra Ventures’ venture studio platform to help AI firms grow in real markets.
As a founding member of the Initiate Programme, Fikra Ventures will support startup growth through two clear routes.
The first route is venture creation. This focuses on building AI-native firms with founders based on confirmed market demand. Each startup will launch with a clear path to revenue.
The second route is global scale-in. Fikra will help selected overseas AI firms enter the region through joint ventures. It will build the structure needed to secure customers and grow.
“We firmly believe in Abu Dhabi’s vision to be not only the capital of capital, but the capital of AI. We want to do our part to make that vision a reality. We will complement the significant investments Abu Dhabi is making in AI infrastructure by rapidly enabling world-class AI companies to become leaders in Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem and scale globally from here,” said Wael Aburida, CEO & Managing Partner of Fikra Ventures. “Fikra’s ambition is to build the world’s leading AI-native venture studio, aligned with Abu Dhabi’s innovation leadership and powered by Hub71 within ADGM.”
“Hub71 is focused on helping high-potential technology companies scale globally from Abu Dhabi by strengthening the commercial pathways that turn innovation into durable businesses,” said Divya Nair, Startup Journey Lead, Hub71. “This partnership with Fikra Ventures strengthens the ecosystem’s venture-building and market-entry capabilities, supporting new venture creation and enabling global companies to expand into the region through Abu Dhabi with targeted go-to-market support.”
Hub71 launched the Initiate Programme in 2025 to support founders at the earliest stages. It helps them build early products and test market demand.
Through this partnership, Fikra Ventures brings practical venture-building experience to the programme. This supports the creation of AI companies built to grow from Abu Dhabi to global markets.
