Hub71 Impact Event 2026

Hub71 Impact Event 2026, hosted at Manarat Al Saadiyat, was all about bringing Abu Dhabi's innovation ecosystem together in one space. From the venue layout and branding to the content strategy and agenda curation, each decision on our part was guided by one objective: to create an environment where meaningful conversations, new connections and startup discovery could happen naturally.

We designed the attendee journey to begin before guests even entered the venue, with a dedicated registration area, branded flagpoles and mirrors featuring playful messaging that quickly became popular photo ops. From there, attendees entered Gallery A through the Impact Tunnel, an immersive walkthrough showcasing key milestones and stats from Hub71's annual impact report. Inside, we divided the gallery into two distinct zones - the Startup Zone and the Main Stage - with startup discovery intentionally placed front and centre. The Startup Zone brought together booths for Hub71 startups, international startups and partners, creating countless opportunities for attendees to engage directly with founders and learn more about their businesses.

To take discovery a step further, we introduced the Investor Radar Wall, an interactive touchscreen directory that allowed visitors to browse startup profiles and founder contact information. At the heart of the space, we installed the LED Tree, a custom centrepiece that brought Hub71's impact story to life through dynamic content and data from the annual impact report. Around it, we created a series of interactive touchpoints including a basketball activation, more photo ops and the Impact Wall, where attendees could write and share what impact means to them. Throughout the day, mimes, instrumentalists and surprise flash mobs kept the energy high, while curated food stations and informal networking spaces encouraged conversations to continue long after sessions had ended.

Next, we wanted the Main Stage to feel just as dynamic as the exhibition floor, so we moved beyond a traditional conference setup and broke down the look & design of the stage to have dedicated spaces per functionality. A standout feature was the staircase leading to a hidden reveal door, allowing speakers to make unexpected entrances throughout the programme and adding an element of anticipation to the experience.

Our team delivered the event end-to-end, overseeing everything from branding, creative design and digital content to agenda curation and onsite execution. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the client, attendees and speakers, making this event another successful chapter in our ongoing partnership with Hub71 and a project we're incredibly proud to have delivered.