Hub71 and Unicorn Factory Lisboa Create Cross-Market Pathways for Global Founders
Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, has entered into a strategic partnership with Unicorn Factory Lisboa, an initiative of the Lisbon City Council, to advance cross-border innovation and entrepreneurship between the UAE and Portugal.
The agreement was formalised during Web Summit 2025 in Lisbon, in the presence of Mohammad Abdulrahman Alhawi, Under-Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Investment; Ahmed Almahmoud, UAE Ambassador to Portugal; and Margarida Figueiredo, Director-General for Economy and Innovation at Lisbon City Council.
The partnership aligns with Hub71’s strategy to cement the Middle East and Europe as a seamless corridor for innovation, enabling founders to access new markets, capital sources and growth pathways. It also builds on Unicorn Factory Lisboa’s mission to empower entrepreneurs through incubation, acceleration and scale-up programmes. Since launching in 2022, Unicorn Factory Lisboa has supported more than 820 startups with a combined valuation exceeding €1 billion.
Under the new framework, Hub71 and Unicorn Factory Lisboa will coordinate efforts to support startups seeking international expansion by providing shared resources, reciprocal market access and co-promoted initiatives. This includes startup exchange programmes, cross-market pathways and opportunities for founders to scale across Europe, the UAE and the wider MENA region.
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said:
“Lisbon has emerged as a leading hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and our partnership with Unicorn Factory Lisboa reflects a natural alignment between two forward-looking tech ecosystems. Together, we aim to empower our startup communities by creating new routes to capital, talent and market opportunities.”
Gil Azevedo, Executive Director of Unicorn Factory Lisboa, added:
“Hub71 has positioned Abu Dhabi as one of the world’s top destinations for ambitious tech companies. This partnership creates a bridge between markets, giving startups unprecedented access to the Middle East and Europe. We are delighted to connect our founders to Hub71’s exceptional network and opportunities.”
As part of Web Summit, Hub71 led a delegation representing Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, comprising more than 20 key partners and eight startups including droplinked, Kingpin, Esports XO, Grubtech, Reno, healthstay.io, OnLoop and eVoost AI. The delegation engaged with investors, corporates and global tech leaders to promote Abu Dhabi as an ideal launchpad for international ventures.
Building on their collaboration, Hub71 and Unicorn Factory Lisboa co-hosted a side event highlighting opportunities for startups to expand into the region through joint programmes and cross-border initiatives. The event underscores the growing partnership between the two ecosystems and their shared ambition to increase visibility, connectivity and commercial opportunities between Abu Dhabi and Lisbon.
This strategic partnership reinforces Abu Dhabi’s rising stature as a global centre for innovation and entrepreneurship. By aligning with international ecosystems committed to advancing innovation-led growth, Hub71 continues to position the emirate as a gateway for startups scaling across continents—unlocking new market opportunities, attracting investment and driving sustainable economic development.
