Dubai’s startup scene is booming. As an international tech hub not only for the UAE and MENA region, but also globally, the city boasts the fastest-growing venture capital ecosystem in the world, according to Pitchbook data. And this October, the city will host one of the world’s biggest tech events, once again cementing its status as a hotbed of innovation and deal-making.
The ninth edition of Expand North Star, organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will see over 70,000 attendees from over 120 countries gather at Dubai Port from 13 to 16 October 2024 for four days of inspiring talks, networking and entertainment. Attendees will include an astounding 1,800 startups, 65 unicorns and over 1,200 investors and venture capitalists looking for their next breakthrough.
Expand North Star is designed to make connections.
The four-day event will feature an impressive line-up of 450 speakers, including Perplexity founder Aravind Srinivas, Sir Martin Sorrell, Karya founder Manu Chopra, UAE Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Omar Sultan Al Olama, and Arsenal and Brazil legend Gilberto Silva. “Expand North Star 2024, held for the second time in the iconic Dubai Harbour and proudly hosted by Dubai Chamber, is not just envisioning the future of technology and innovation, we are shaping it,” said Peter Brady, Assistant Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre. “This year’s focus aligns with technology’s biggest themes: AI, the future of media and creativity, fintech and blockchain, climate tech and deep tech.”
Highlights on the agenda include the Startup Ecosystem Leadership Forum, co-hosted with San Francisco-based Startup Genome, bringing together government representatives and private sector leaders from over 60 countries to share knowledge and further develop startup ecosystems around the world.
New for 2024, Expand North Star will partner with thriving Barcelona-based digital culture festival Sónar+D to present eight custom exhibition projects and a day of vibrant and inspiring talks to spark creativity, plus the official GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star closing party featuring Eric Prydz at Dubai Expo City on October 18th.
