emirates7 - H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council, inaugurated Expand North Star 2024 today, marking the world's largest event for startups and investors.
Organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, which operates under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, this highly anticipated event runs from October 13 to 16 at Dubai Harbour.
Sheikh Mansoor highlighted that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has positioned Dubai as a leader among the world’s most competitive cities.
He emphasized that Dubai is committed to strengthening its role in shaping the future, driven by visionary leadership, sustainable growth, and an environment that fosters innovation and creativity.
Sheikh Mansoor stated that a flexible digital economy that adapts to change and transforms challenges into opportunities—utilizing the latest technologies—is crucial for realizing Dubai’s economic vision.
“We remain dedicated to building a digital business ecosystem and infrastructure that enables companies to grow and thrive, solidifying Dubai's status as the most attractive city for investment and entrepreneurship,” he added.
After the inauguration, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed toured the exhibition pavilions and was briefed on the extensive international participation in this record-setting edition of the event. He also interacted with various exhibitors and participating entrepreneurs.
Accompanying him during the tour were Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA); Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; and Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
Expand North Star is fully integrated with GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest and most highly regarded tech and startup event, bringing together top founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to explore growth opportunities in Dubai and catalyze the future of the digital economy.
Omar Sultan Al Olama remarked, “Expand North Star serves as an ideal platform to unite strategic partners from both the public and private sectors, as well as investors, accelerators, and startups. This landmark event underscores our commitment to empowering startups and enhancing the digital economy’s contribution to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
He added, “We are working to unlock the full potential of the digital economy and position Dubai as a leading global technology hub. Expand North Star is integral to our strategy for shaping Dubai’s digital future, aligning with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s mission to promote excellence in the digital ecosystem and expedite the emirate’s transformation into one of the world’s leading digital economies.”
This year’s Expand North Star is expected to attract a record number of attendees, featuring over 1,800 exhibiting startups and more than 1,200 investors from over 100 countries, collectively managing assets exceeding US$1 trillion. This growth reflects its significance in the global digital economy landscape.
Participants include new investors from major global funds and those from several countries making their debut at the event, such as Azerbaijan, Mauritius, Denmark, Peru, Malta, and Cyprus.
The diversity of international investors is matched by a broad range of startups from countries participating for the first time, including Austria, Australia, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.
This year’s edition introduces six new features: Corporate Arena, Tech Transfer 3.0, the Future of Media and Creativity, NS Scaleups: 2024 Cohort, Sónar+D, and the Startup Genome Ecosystem Leadership Forum. These additions aim to enhance the Expand North Star experience and accelerate the growth of innovative startups.
The four-day program will offer diverse content, ample networking, investment, and funding opportunities, while allowing attendees to explore groundbreaking advancements across various technology sectors such as blockchain, fintech, marketing, deep tech, climate tech, artificial intelligence, and Web 3 technologies.
Expand North Star is a crucial component of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s strategy to establish Dubai as a leading global hub for innovation and advanced technologies, driving sustainable economic growth and development. The event plays a vital role in connecting the global tech community with Dubai, providing an inspiring platform for innovation, collaboration, and networking with influential technology leaders.
Visitors can look forward to an extensive program and immersive exhibition throughout the event, which highlights the future of finance, blockchain, creativity, and environmental issues through major industry events, including GITEX Impact, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.
Additionally, the globally recognized Supernova Challenge 2.0 will showcase the best startups from Europe, Asia, and Africa, building momentum for the eagerly anticipated GITEX EUROPE in Berlin, GITEX ASIA in Singapore, GITEX NIGERIA, and GITEX AFRICA in Morocco, all set for 2025. Following six months of worldwide semi-finals, nearly 200 selected startups will pitch in the grand finale for a cash prize pool of US$200,000.
Expand North Star and GITEX GLOBAL, organized by DWTC, have established reputations as catalysts for international collaboration and technology-driven socio-economic transformation.
Organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, which operates under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, this highly anticipated event runs from October 13 to 16 at Dubai Harbour.
Sheikh Mansoor highlighted that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, has positioned Dubai as a leader among the world’s most competitive cities.
He emphasized that Dubai is committed to strengthening its role in shaping the future, driven by visionary leadership, sustainable growth, and an environment that fosters innovation and creativity.
Sheikh Mansoor stated that a flexible digital economy that adapts to change and transforms challenges into opportunities—utilizing the latest technologies—is crucial for realizing Dubai’s economic vision.
“We remain dedicated to building a digital business ecosystem and infrastructure that enables companies to grow and thrive, solidifying Dubai's status as the most attractive city for investment and entrepreneurship,” he added.
After the inauguration, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed toured the exhibition pavilions and was briefed on the extensive international participation in this record-setting edition of the event. He also interacted with various exhibitors and participating entrepreneurs.
Accompanying him during the tour were Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA); Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; and Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
Expand North Star is fully integrated with GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest and most highly regarded tech and startup event, bringing together top founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to explore growth opportunities in Dubai and catalyze the future of the digital economy.
Omar Sultan Al Olama remarked, “Expand North Star serves as an ideal platform to unite strategic partners from both the public and private sectors, as well as investors, accelerators, and startups. This landmark event underscores our commitment to empowering startups and enhancing the digital economy’s contribution to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
He added, “We are working to unlock the full potential of the digital economy and position Dubai as a leading global technology hub. Expand North Star is integral to our strategy for shaping Dubai’s digital future, aligning with the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s mission to promote excellence in the digital ecosystem and expedite the emirate’s transformation into one of the world’s leading digital economies.”
This year’s Expand North Star is expected to attract a record number of attendees, featuring over 1,800 exhibiting startups and more than 1,200 investors from over 100 countries, collectively managing assets exceeding US$1 trillion. This growth reflects its significance in the global digital economy landscape.
Participants include new investors from major global funds and those from several countries making their debut at the event, such as Azerbaijan, Mauritius, Denmark, Peru, Malta, and Cyprus.
The diversity of international investors is matched by a broad range of startups from countries participating for the first time, including Austria, Australia, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, and more.
This year’s edition introduces six new features: Corporate Arena, Tech Transfer 3.0, the Future of Media and Creativity, NS Scaleups: 2024 Cohort, Sónar+D, and the Startup Genome Ecosystem Leadership Forum. These additions aim to enhance the Expand North Star experience and accelerate the growth of innovative startups.
The four-day program will offer diverse content, ample networking, investment, and funding opportunities, while allowing attendees to explore groundbreaking advancements across various technology sectors such as blockchain, fintech, marketing, deep tech, climate tech, artificial intelligence, and Web 3 technologies.
Expand North Star is a crucial component of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s strategy to establish Dubai as a leading global hub for innovation and advanced technologies, driving sustainable economic growth and development. The event plays a vital role in connecting the global tech community with Dubai, providing an inspiring platform for innovation, collaboration, and networking with influential technology leaders.
Visitors can look forward to an extensive program and immersive exhibition throughout the event, which highlights the future of finance, blockchain, creativity, and environmental issues through major industry events, including GITEX Impact, Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania.
Additionally, the globally recognized Supernova Challenge 2.0 will showcase the best startups from Europe, Asia, and Africa, building momentum for the eagerly anticipated GITEX EUROPE in Berlin, GITEX ASIA in Singapore, GITEX NIGERIA, and GITEX AFRICA in Morocco, all set for 2025. Following six months of worldwide semi-finals, nearly 200 selected startups will pitch in the grand finale for a cash prize pool of US$200,000.
Expand North Star and GITEX GLOBAL, organized by DWTC, have established reputations as catalysts for international collaboration and technology-driven socio-economic transformation.