The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 are partnering to accelerate startups across the Garden State and the UAE. The first-of-its-kind partnership builds on New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s visit to the UAE earlier this year. Connecting high-growth startup ecosystems, the program will support startups with capital and market-specific guidance.
Why This Matters
Hub71's partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority creates the first startup corridor connecting the UAE and US, unlocking opportunities for startups to scale internationally. With a focus on AI and tech, the new partnership will promote innovation and jobs across New Jersey.
“This MOU will harness the power of international collaboration to strengthen the innovation economy of both Abu Dhabi and New Jersey, which will create good-paying jobs and bolster the Garden State’s economic competitiveness.” – New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Source
Full Press Release: Hub71 Forges First US Partnership to Accelerate Global Expansion for Startups with New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, has signed its first US-based partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), establishing a new bridge for high-growth startups to scale across the Atlantic. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in New York. The agreement sets the foundation for reciprocal access between Abu Dhabi and New Jersey's startup ecosystems, enabling founders to scale internationally. The agreement further strengthens the US-UAE strategic cooperation across high-impact sectors such as AI and clean energy.
Through joint programming, market visits and facilitated introductions to investors, regulators and corporates, startups will benefit from soft-landing support in each market. With targeted backing from both ecosystems, founders will gain access to new customer bases, capital opportunities and tailored expertise to accelerate commercial success.
Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said: "Technology continues to transcend borders, and innovation ecosystems must strengthen their ties to support the global ambitions of founders. Our collaboration with Choose New Jersey is focused on unlocking soft-landing opportunities for startups looking to expand internationally, while deepening the exchange of knowledge, talent, and innovation. By opening our ecosystems to one another, we are creating pathways for ventures to achieve global scale."
"Under Governor Murphy's leadership, New Jersey is cultivating important international partnerships around the globe, leading to greater investments into new industries and a more diverse economy," said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. "The NJEDA has built a robust toolkit to support innovative startups, and we're excited to work with Hub71 to promote the exciting opportunities in Abu Dhabi and the Garden State."
Following Governor Phil Murphy's economic mission to the UAE in April, he visited Hub71's headquarters at Abu Dhabi Global Market, reinforcing the UAE's strategic position as a gateway for US startups expanding into the MENA region and beyond. The MoU with NJEDA marks another milestone in Hub71's cross-border expansion strategy, complementing existing partnerships across Asia and Europe and advancing its mission to scale ventures globally from Abu Dhabi.
The agreement with NJEDA complements Hub71's growing portfolio of international partnerships, including a recent strategic alliance with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), aimed at advancing cross-border collaboration between the UAE and Japan. Together, these partnerships highlight Hub71's commitment to building a globally connected ecosystem that enables the exchange of innovation across key markets.
As Abu Dhabi continues to grow its reputation as a global hub for technology and innovation, this partnership further reinforces Hub71's role in enabling startup growth through international collaboration and alignment with world-leading tech ecosystems.