Indian AI Startups Join Hub71’s Record-Breaking USD 222.7 Million Cohort

Hub71, an Abu Dhabi-based digital ecosystem, has presented its most AI-intensive cohort to date—Cohort 17, welcoming 26 entrepreneurs that have together secured over USD 223 million (AED 818 million), signifying the greatest investment amount in the program's history (hub71.com). Three Indian firms, Planys Technologies, ZenAdmin.ai, and Predicate, have been selected and will receive support from the USD 222.7 million fund.

1. Planys Technologies' Autonomous Underwater Inspection

Planys Technologies, headquartered in Chennai, India, specializes on autonomous underwater robots and sophisticated sensing systems for diver-free inspection of subsea infrastructure. It uses AI-powered analytics to do safer, more efficient inspections with no human interaction.

The company has secured around USD7.2 million (~₹63.36 crore), making it one of the most valuable entries in the cohort.

2. ZenAdmin.ai: Automated IT Management with AI

ZenAdmin.ai offers a comprehensive IT management platform that enables enterprises to manage the lifetime of IT gear, as well as security and support for remote and distributed teams. The platform uses AI to automate jobs and assure smooth operations in hardware provisioning, maintenance, and security.

While precise funding details for ZenAdmin.ai were not given in the sources, its inclusion in the cohort emphasizes its alignment with Hub71's focus on AI-driven solutions and operational scalability.

3. Predicate: Simplifying on-chain compliance.

Predicate provides blockchain-based infrastructure for regulated financial products. It separates policy logic and enforcement from smart contracts, enabling enterprises to meet compliance obligations in a quickly changing regulatory framework.

Though funding details for Predicate were not provided by the sources, their presence in Hub71's digital assets stream emphasizes the importance of AI-enabled compliance technologies in modern fintech and blockchain ecosystems.

The significance of this cohort lies in its record funding and focus on AI.

Hub71's Cohort 17 is the most well-funded cohort yet, generating over USD 223 million. Over 80% of the firms focus on AI-driven solutions in industries such as HealthTech, FinTech, and ClimateTech.

Global Reach and Selectivity

The cohort was chosen from over 2,000 applications from 12 countries, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, France, Canada, and Egypt (hub71.com). Approximately 74% of these firms are based outside of the UAE, demonstrating Hub71's popularity as a worldwide launchpad.

Comprehensive Support Package

Hub71's Access program allows selected businesses to receive up to AED 500,000 in in-kind and cash incentives, with potential for up to AED 1 million in additional funding after one year for top performers (hub71.com). They also have access to investment networks, mentors, talent pools, and Abu Dhabi's market potential.

What Does This Mean for Indian AI Innovation?

The presence of three Indian-founded AI businesses in Hub71's cohort demonstrates India's expanding global prominence in the technology sector. These entrepreneurs receive access not only to financing, but also to a strategic environment that enables growth and global expansion.

Planys Technologies demonstrates India's expertise in robotics and industrial AI.

ZenAdmin.ai shows the country's expanding experience with enterprise AI solutions.

Predicate emphasizes India's growing importance in compliance infrastructure for blockchain and finance.

This approach is consistent with larger trends; previous entrants such as Esports XO, Ultrahuman, and Cars24 have also used Hub71 to expand abroad.

Conclusion

Hub71's 17th cohort is a watershed moment, with record-breaking funding, a stronger AI focus, and a global lineup of entrepreneurs. The three Indian AI startups—Planys Technologies, ZenAdmin.ai, and Predicate—are expected to benefit from Abu Dhabi's supporting ecosystem and acquire worldwide traction.

Their pick indicates not only strategic validation, but also the strength and versatility of India's AI-driven innovation, which spans areas ranging from robotics to corporate IT and blockchain compliance.