Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and Hub71 have announced a new partnership to integrate ECA’s flagship innovation program, Anjal Z into Hub71’s flagship Access program, creating a dedicated track for startups developing solutions that enhance the well-being of children, families, and communities.
Through the collaboration, five startups will join Hub71 Access Cohort 19. Each will receive tailored mentorship, market access, and funding to pilot their solutions in Abu Dhabi. Access is a Hub71 program that empowers founders to gain a comprehensive support package and direct access to Abu Dhabi’s vibrant ecosystem as they scale startups internationally from the UAE capital.
Under the agreement, Hub71 will design and deliver a 12-week growth and localisation journey for ECA startups within Access, facilitating end-to-end program operations from sourcing and expert mentorship to company setup, community engagement, events, partnerships, and pilot coordination.
As a strategic enabler, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) will help identify focus areas and support the participation of startups that address early-childhood and family wellbeing priorities. ECA will co-review applications, contribute to pilot design, and provide funding to help selected startups localize and validate their solutions in Abu Dhabi.
Participating startups will also gain access to Hub71’s standard Access program benefits, including AED 500,000 ($1,36,147)worth of in-kind incentives, mentorship, investor and corporate engagement opportunities, and a thriving community designed to accelerate startup growth from Abu Dhabi.
HE Dr. Yousuf Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, commented that, “Together with Hub71, we’re nurturing a new generation of startups that put children’s wellbeing at the heart of innovation, creating real-world impact and advancing Abu Dhabi’s role as a hub for early childhood innovation.”
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, stated that, “ECA has been an invaluable partner in Hub71’s journey, and we are excited to deepen our partnership through the integration of the Anjal Z program within Hub71’s flagship platform. This collaboration will empower the next generation of impact-driven founders to scale their ventures from Abu Dhabi and drive measurable change.”
The five ECA startups will advance through Access alongside the broader cohort, receiving tailored support to accelerate pilots in Abu Dhabi’s public and private sectors. The selection process remains competitive and merit-based, with ECA and Hub71 jointly assessing applicants for problem-solution fit, scalability, and alignment with Abu Dhabi’s priorities.
Founders will benefit from Hub71’s community, including investors, corporates, regulators, and talent, paired with ECA’s policy expertise and institutional network, enabling high-potential products to localise rapidly, receive validation through pilots, and quickly transition to sustainable deployments.
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