The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, have announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Cohort of Anjal Z, an experiential fellowship programme supporting global startups developing solutions that address early childhood challenges.
This announcement builds on the strategic agreement signed last year, which integrated Anjal Z into an ECA-dedicated track within Hub71’s flagship Access Programme. Through Anjal Z, Hub71 and ECA invite early and growth-stage startups building innovative solutions in areas including child obesity, Arabic literacy and child mental health to localise and deploy their technologies within Abu Dhabi’s early childhood ecosystem. Since its launch in 2020, Anjal Z has supported more than 45 global startups in developing and validating their products in Abu Dhabi, strengthening the Emirate’s early childhood innovation landscape and reinforcing its position as a launchpad for high-potential founders building purpose-driven technologies.
This year, five selected startups will join Hub71’s Access Programme and receive support to accelerate their growth and enable real-world adoption in Abu Dhabi. Support includes AED 500,000 per startup, comprising AED 250,000 in incentives and AED 250,000 via a SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) note, alongside access to Hub71’s ecosystem and market access through government, capital and partner network. In collaboration with ECA, participating startups will also receive support to facilitate their pilot and funding pathways in collaboration with ECA, helping founders validate impact and build traction in the market.
Commenting on the announcement, H.E Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director, Knowledge & Impact at ECA, said: “Through Anjal Z, we support global start-ups to turn ideas into real benefits for Abu Dhabi’s children and families. There are incredible opportunities in Abu Dhabi for those who are ready to think big. Anjal Z won’t just offer you resources; it will provide partnerships, industry contacts, market entry pathways and investment opportunities.”
Ahmad Ali Awan, CEO of Hub71, said: “Innovation in early childhood development presents a significant opportunity to drive long-term societal impact. Enabling solutions in this space requires strong collaboration across stakeholders to support founders addressing foundational stages of human development, while enabling innovation to grow from Abu Dhabi.”
Startup selection will be led by Hub71, with ECA participating across evaluation stages and contributing to final cohort decisions to ensure alignment with Abu Dhabi’s early childhood priorities. Both entities will track startup progress and impact for up to three years following programme completion, supporting sustained outcomes and long-term value creation.
