Expand North Star returns to Dubai this October, marking 10 years of empowering startups with global funding, growth and innovation partnerships.
DUBAI: Dubai is set to host the 10th edition of Expand North Star, the world’s largest startup and investor event, from 12th to 15th October at Dubai Harbour. Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the event has become a global launchpad for digital startups since its inception in 2016.
Now aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), Expand North Star has helped thousands of entrepreneurs secure multimillion-dollar deals, scale internationally, and build long-term strategic partnerships.
Notable alumni include Nigerian fintech Moove, which raised over US$460 million and expanded into 13 markets, and French startup Obo, which secured US$20 million in 2024. Other rising stars like Freshcraft Technologies from India and Zaara Biotech also launched into the UAE market following their exposure at the event.
The platform has proven equally impactful for early-stage ventures. In 2022, ShopDoc raised US$1.36 million while Machbee Innovations secured US$1.1 million, with many participants going on to scale operations globally. UK-based Lorien Finance and AI startup DeepSeek are among the firms that used Expand North Star to explore new markets and partnerships.
Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: “Expand North Star has become a strategic gateway for startups to scale from Dubai to the world. It reflects our commitment to empowering digital entrepreneurship and strengthening Dubai’s role as an innovation capital.”
The 2025 edition promises to be its most diverse yet, hosting startups from across 100+ countries and attracting top-tier investors, venture capitalists, and tech pioneers.
