The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the primary health sector regulator in the emirate, have formed 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 in the region.

The partnership is centered around the newly launched Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster, which serves as an integrated platform for research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of advanced biotechnology. This initiative was introduced during the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW) 2025 and is projected to contribute AED94 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP while creating 30 000 new jobs by 2045.

Under this agreement, Hub71 will utilize its extensive network of VC partners to highlight investment opportunities within the HELM cluster. This will be achieved through targeted roadshows, networking events, and promotional activities.

ADIO will support these efforts by offering attractive co-investment opportunities, customized business support, and streamlined business facilitation services, encouraging international VC firms to establish and expand their presence in the cluster. Hub71 will also work to connect promising startups in the HELM cluster with relevant VCs, providing these startups with essential market access. Additionally, the DoH will ensure compliance support and optimize regulatory pathways to simplify investment processes in the life sciences sector.

The partnership will involve collaboration on policy and infrastructure enhancements, aligning Abu Dhabi’s life sciences ecosystem with international best practices. Regular reviews of policies will be conducted to ensure continuous improvement, enhancing the investor experience and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading destination for life sciences investments.

Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Under-Secretary of the DoH, emphasized that Abu Dhabi is not just a destination for global investors and health innovators but a launchpad for advancements in healthcare. She noted that the HELM cluster aims to eliminate barriers and enhance access while providing the regulatory support needed for startups and investors to scale effectively.

Badr Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, highlighted that this collaboration demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s capability to accelerate high-growth sectors by fostering an environment conducive to early-stage innovation. He stated that the partnership ensures that innovative ideas receive the necessary capital, infrastructure, and regulatory clarity to thrive, reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as a prime location for life sciences investment.

Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, remarked that the partnership exemplifies how Abu Dhabi’s ecosystem is mobilizing to strengthen the HELM cluster. He stated that connecting ventures with prominent capital partners and a vibrant community of innovative startups enables groundbreaking solutions that contribute to the future of global healthcare and life sciences.

The MENA region’s fastest-growing startup ecosystem, Abu Dhabi, has seen US$224 million in early-stage startup funding and over US$1 billion in VC funding from July 2021 to December 2023. The DoH has supported 80 healthcare startups since 2021, leading to the creation of 926 specialized jobs and fostering significant economic growth within the life sciences sector, which has achieved an impressive annual growth rate of 22%.