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Hub71 Refreshes Its Company Building Program

Startups may be eligible for up to $204,000 to help accelerate growth and hasten their contribution to the local economy.

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hub71 refreshes its company building program

At this year’s GITEX Global conference, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, Hub71, has announced a refreshed startup incentive known as the Company Building Program, where eligible businesses can receive up to $204,000 to accelerate their growth — a 50% increase over the original funding figure.

Upon completion of the program, top-performing startups could also be selected by Hub71 for an additional cash incentive of nearly $70,000 in exchange for additional equity.

The new incentive is a “natural progression” for Hub71, expanding on its pledge to support early-stage technology companies.

hub71 abu dhabi deputy ceo ahmad ali alwan

“This impact and shift to provide greater value to our startup community solidifies our commitment to founders as we aim to enhance the growth trajectory of innovative companies with the simplicity and flexibility needed to ensure they succeed,” Deputy CEO Ahmad Ali Alwan said.

“Our dedication will go beyond financial support; we are deeply invested in the success of startups in our community and will remain engaged in ensuring their sustainable growth and development in Abu Dhabi and beyond,” he continued.

Also Read: Social Media Addiction Is Greatly Impacting Arab Youth

Startups joining the Hub71 Company Building Program unlock an extensive network of corporations, government entities, and investment opportunities. The program also gives startups access to mentorship, advice, and support, which positively affects their ability to grow and contribute to the economy.

Globally, the startup sector is valued at a massive $3 trillion. By 2030, The UAE aims to create a home for 20 “unicorns” — startups with a valuation of $1 billion or more. Hub71’s new program should aid those ambitions, boosting the number of high-performing tech companies headquartered in Abu Dhabi.

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LUVED Is A New Curated Preloved Marketplace For The UAE

Sellers keep 100 percent of every sale and AI can build a listing in five seconds — though the app’s smartest tools are still coming.

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luved is a new curated preloved marketplace for the uae

Secondhand shopping has become mainstream in the UAE, but the experience is still scattered across resale sites, social media and informal group chats. LUVED, a mobile-first marketplace that launched in Dubai this month, is betting it can pull that activity into one place — and that the thing buyers and sellers actually want is not more inventory, but trust.

The app trades in what it calls circular luxury: preloved fashion and lifestyle pieces across men’s, women’s and children’s categories, bought, sold or given away peer to peer. Its main pitch is economics, with sellers keeping 100 percent of every sale under a zero-commission, fast payout model, while buyers are promised vetted pieces at lower prices.

Where LUVED is staking its reputation is verification. Sellers pass a KYC check, and items run through a two-layer authentication system powered by Entrupy that pairs instant AI screening with human expert review for high-value pieces. Authenticity certificates travel with each item, payments sit in escrow, and a buyer-protection package the company calls The Safety Net adds a 48-hour return window and dispute resolution. Door-to-door logistics removes the in-person meetups that make most resale deals awkward.

An in-app assistant called Luvbot — offering selling insights and demand-based recommendations — is soon to be introduced to the platform. Other features include autofill and dynamic pricing that lets users build a listing in as little as five seconds from three photos, plus a swipe-based feed, story-style drops and in-app chat in English and Arabic. Finally, a gifting layer, Luved & Gifted, lets users pass items to others inside the app rather than sell them.

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“After moving to Dubai, I saw how difficult it was to sell or even give things away,” says founder and CEO Shaima Sibtain. The friction is real, and so is the competition. In resale, trust is won transaction by transaction — and that is the test LUVED has set itself.

The app is live on the App Store now, with Google Play to follow. The company also plans to expand across the region, which will be the real test for a marketplace staking everything on trust.

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