Hub71, Abu Dhabi's technology ecosystem, has welcomed 27 startups into its Access Programme as part of Cohort 18, selected from a record 2,453 applications across 112 countries. The cohort represents Hub71's first fully international intake, with all selected startups headquartered outside the UAE. The companies have collectively raised nearly AED 844.7 million (approximately $230 million), averaging AED 31.2 million per startup. With an acceptance rate of just 1.1%, this marks one of Hub71's most competitive intakes to date. The startups will join Hub71's sector-agnostic Access Programme or specialist platforms focusing on digital assets, climate technology and life sciences. Notable entrants include US-based EchoTwin AI, which has raised AED 29.4 million, and Sweden's Wingbits, which secured AED 34.5 million. Hub71's ecosystem now comprises 525 startups following this addition.

Hayden AI, a San Francisco startup valued at $464 million, has sued co-founder and former CEO Chris Carson, alleging he stole 41GB of proprietary data before his September 2024 termination. The company claims Carson engaged in fraud including forged board signatures and unauthorised stock sales. According to the lawsuit, Carson secretly sold over $1.2 million in company stock without board approval to fund a multimillion-dollar Florida home and luxury purchases including a gold Bentley Continental. He allegedly downloaded his entire email file, containing proprietary information, days before launching rival firm EchoTwin AI. Hayden AI further alleges Carson fabricated his professional credentials, including a PhD from Waseda University. The complaint states that in 2007, Carson was actually operating a paintball equipment business in a Florida strip mall, not completing doctoral studies.