- Saeed Al Gergawi: “We remain committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthening the position of Expand North Star as a strategic gateway for startups to scale from Dubai to the world.”
Dubai, UAE – Dubai has hosted Expand North Star, the world’s largest event for startups and investors, since 2016. Over the years, the exhibition has created unique opportunities for thousands of digital startups from across the globe to secure multi-million-dollar investment deals and establish strategic partnerships that support the growth and expansion of their businesses.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Expand North Star returns to Dubai Harbour from 12–15 October 2025 to mark its tenth anniversary. The event has emerged as a key launchpad for startups, linking innovators with capital and markets, and turning ideas into global enterprises. In doing so, it cements Dubai’s role as a capital of the digital economy and a hub for investors and technology leaders, in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
Global Success Stories
The success stories that have emerged from Expand North Star provide a compelling proof of the event’s pivotal role in transforming entrepreneurial ideas into globally influential businesses. Nigerian mobility fintech Moove has raised more than US$ 460 million from major investors including Uber and BlackRock. Following its participation in the exhibition, the company expanded into 13 global markets and achieved a valuation of around US$ 750 million, rapidly closing in on unicorn status.
The exhibition has proven to be a powerful investment platform. In 2024, French virtual agent developer Obo secured US$ 20 million in funding after meeting an investor at the event. Indian firm Freshcraft Technologies attracted US$ 12.7 million for its ion plasma sterilisation technology following its participation in 2022. Meanwhile, India’s agritech leader Zaara Biotech obtained an investment of US$ 10 million to launch its operations in the UAE.
Expand North Star has equal significance for early-stage startups. In 2022, ShopDoc raised US$ 1.36 million; Machbee Innovations secured US$ 1.1 million to develop its IoT-enabled smart devices; and Orgaayur Productions attracted US$ 58,000 in funding to advance its urban agriculture solutions.
Beyond access to capital, Expand North Star also serves as a dynamic platform for building strategic partnerships and accelerating international expansion. During the 2023 edition, UK-based Lorien Finance chose the exhibition to launch its growth and expansion strategy for the Middle East.
During the 2024 edition, DeepSeek AI stood out as one of the leading exhibitors. The company’s rapid rise to global prominence underlines the exhibition’s status as a premier platform for pioneering tech firms driving global transformations.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented:
“For over a decade, Expand North Star has been a leading platform for innovation and opportunity. The inspiring success stories it has produced, from startups to innovators in AI and agritech, offer real-world examples of Dubai’s status as a global centre for the digital economy. As we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and strengthening the position of Expand North Star as a strategic gateway for startups to scale from Dubai to the world.”
As one of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s flagship initiatives, Expand North Star represents a key pillar of the chamber’s strategy to achieve Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global hub for innovation and technology. Building on a decade of impact, the event continues to serve as a gateway for global tech firms seeking to access fast-growing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
To find out more about Expand North Star, please visit expandnorthstar.com
