This October, Dubai will host Expand North Star 2024, GITEX GLOBAL’s premier startup event, attracting founders, investors, and tech leaders from around the world. Held from October 13-16 at Dubai Harbour, this four-day event is designed to help startups and exhibitors secure business deals, attract investments, and expand their networks.
Over 1,200 investors, eager to diversify their portfolios, will have the opportunity to meet with 2,000 international startups, marking a 25% increase from last year’s event. This growth reflects the success of both early-stage and late-stage companies at Expand North Star.
The event will feature attendees from around the globe, including almost 100 startups from South Korea, 60 startups from Brazil, and 12 startups from Ethiopia through JICA. This year’s event will also see the largest participation of European startups, with over 250 startups joining the show. Notable showcases include GTAI and Berlin Partner bringing 40 German startups, London and Partners with 50 UK startups, Enterprise Ireland with 18 startups, and the Italian Trade Agency showcasing 25 startups.
Expecting another record-breaking year, Expand North Star will welcome 70,000 attendees from the startup ecosystem at the iconic Dubai Harbour. The event will also feature 450 speakers presenting updates from the business, tech, and startup sectors across 17 conference tracks and 9 stages.
Peter Brady, Associate VP at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC): “ENS 2024 will be the largest edition yet, and we’re proud to play a part in building a stronger startup ecosystem.”
“This year, we’re preparing to showcase companies from over 100 countries, with a 50% increase in late-stage startups focused on global expansion. This underscores the impact we can have on business growth and explains why we’re welcoming 1,200 vetted investors into our official investor program.”
Brady also noted a significant trend in startups developing advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain, biotech, quantum computing, and manufacturing, which is reflected in the event’s new programs.
Expand North Star 2024 will kick off with Investor Sunday on October 13th, featuring discussions on investment in AI, deep tech, blockchain, gaming, fintech, sustainable finance, and ESG capital. There will also be opportunities for GP and LP matchmaking, with the capacity for 5,000 investor meetings over the four days.
The Global Investor Summit, exclusive to investors, will bring together some of the largest funds in the world, managing a total of $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM). Fund managers from the European Investment Fund, bpifrance, Lightrock, SpeedInvest, H Tree Capital, Mouro Capital, and others will discuss the future of investments, AI, and the next decade of ventures.
Looking to further expand the economic impact of the global startup ecosystem, Expand North Star 2024 offers an unparalleled pre-scheduled concierge meeting service, ensuring valuable connections between key companies and investors, Brady concluded.
