Dubai is set to welcome the 10th edition of Expand North Star, the world’s largest gathering for startups and investors, from 12 to 15 October at Dubai Harbour, reinforcing its status as a global hub for the digital economy.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the event has since 2016 created a platform for startups to attract major investments and partnerships. It aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to position the emirate among the world’s top digital economies.
The exhibition has already produced notable success stories. Nigerian fintech Moove raised more than US$460 million from investors including Uber and BlackRock, expanding into 13 markets and reaching a valuation of around US$750 million. French firm Obo secured US$20 million in 2024, while India’s Freshcraft Technologies raised US$12.7 million in 2022 and Zaara Biotech attracted US$10 million to launch UAE operations.
Early-stage ventures have also benefitted. ShopDoc raised US$1.36 million and Machbee Innovations secured US$1.1 million in 2022. Beyond capital, the platform has supported international growth strategies, with companies such as UK-based Lorien Finance and AI firm DeepSeek among its participants.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, described the event as a “strategic gateway for startups to scale from Dubai to the world,” underlining Dubai’s role as a leading centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The four-day exhibition is expected to draw thousands of investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators, further strengthening Dubai’s position at the heart of the global digital economy.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
