Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the health sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, today announced a strategic partnership with Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem. This collaboration aims to attract global venture capital (VC) investment and accelerate the growth of HealthTech and life sciences startups through the emirate’s newly launched Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster. Spearheaded by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), the HELM cluster is designed to become a global hub for biotechnology, MedTech, and digital health innovation. It is projected to contribute AED 94 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP and generate 30,000 new jobs by 2045.
Under the agreement, which was revealed during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), Hub71 will utilize its extensive VC partner network to showcase investment opportunities within the HELM cluster. This will be accomplished through targeted roadshows, networking engagements, and dedicated promotional initiatives. ADIO will enhance these efforts by offering attractive co-investment opportunities, tailored business support, and streamlined business facilitation services aimed at encouraging international VC firms to establish and expand their operations within the cluster.
Connecting startups with investors
Hub71 will also actively connect high-potential startups entering the HELM cluster with relevant VCs, enabling these startups to benefit from targeted market access. The DoH will provide compliance support while optimizing regulatory pathways to attract and streamline investment processes in the life sciences sector.
Collaborative efforts for policy enhancement
All parties will work together on policy and infrastructure enhancements, aligning Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem with international best practices. Regular policy reviews will ensure continuous improvement, enhancing the investor experience and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading destination for life sciences investments.
Insights from key leaders
H.E. Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, remarked: “For global investors and health innovators, Abu Dhabi offers more than a destination; it offers a launchpad. Through the HELM cluster, we are removing barriers, accelerating access, and providing the regulatory clarity and support that startups and investors need to scale faster and smarter. This partnership ensures that breakthroughs reach the patients, markets, and communities that need them most.”
H.E. Badr Al-Olama, director general of ADIO, stated: “This collaboration exemplifies Abu Dhabi’s ability to accelerate high-growth sectors by creating the right environment for early-stage innovation to thrive. By partnering with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and Hub71, we are ensuring that promising ideas are matched with the capital, infrastructure, and regulatory clarity they need to scale. This not only reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading destination for life sciences investment, but it also supports the HELM cluster’s mission to deliver transformative advancements in healthcare and lasting economic impact across the emirate.”
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, added: “This partnership is a compelling example of how Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem is mobilizing to strengthen the HELM cluster. By connecting ventures with leading capital partners and a vibrant community of innovative startups, we are enabling breakthrough solutions and contributing to the future of global healthcare and life sciences.”
Abu Dhabi’s rapid growth in HealthTech
As the MENA region’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem, Abu Dhabi witnessed $4.2 billion in exit and startup valuations by the end of 2023. The emirate secured $224 million in early-stage startup funding and over $1 billion in VC funding between July 2021 and December 2023.
Since 2021, the DoH has supported 80 healthcare startups, accelerating transformative solutions across the healthcare spectrum. These initiatives have created 926 specialized jobs, contributing to economic growth and fortifying the life sciences sector, which has achieved an impressive annual growth rate of 22 percent.
Held under the theme ‘Towards Longevity: Redefining Health and Well-being,’ Abu Dhabi Global Health Week is a significant government initiative from the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) to foster innovation and collaboration within the emirate’s healthcare sector.
