Abu Dhabi's tech hub sees surge of interest from start-ups

FILE PHOTO: General view of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 3, 2019. Picture taken January 3, 2019. REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi’s new technology hub says it has seen a surge in interest from start-up firms in the United Arab Emirates and abroad despite the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic last year, amid increased optimism from the sector.

Hub71, backed by Abu Dhabi state fund Mubadala Investment Co, the SoftBank Vision Fund, and Microsoft, has accepted 100 start-up firms since its inception in 2019 after a selection process that drew about 3,500 applications, said Hub71 chief operating officer Jida Itani.