Dubai will host the 10th anniversary edition of the Expand North Star, a major global event for startups and investors in October.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the 2025 edition will be held from October 12–15 at Dubai Harbour. The event has become a vital launchpad for startups, connecting innovators with capital and markets, and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a capital of the digital economy.
The event has enabled thousands of digital startups to secure multi-million-dollar investment deals and forge strategic partnerships to accelerate their global growth, said the organisers.
The success stories of participants span continents and industries. Nigerian mobility fintech Moove raised more than $460 million from investors including Uber and BlackRock, before expanding into 13 global markets and moving towards unicorn status with a valuation of around $750 million. French virtual agent developer Obo secured $20 million in 2024, while India’s Freshcraft Technologies raised $ 2.7 million in 2022. Zaara Biotech, also from India, attracted $10 million to establish its UAE operations.
Beyond investment, Expand North Star drives international expansion. In 2023, UK-based Lorien Finance used the platform to launch its growth strategy in the Middle East. DeepSeek AI, an exhibitor in 2024, quickly rose to global prominence, underlining the event’s value for pioneering tech firms, said the organisers.
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. Its success stories demonstrate Dubai’s status as a global centre for the digital economy and a gateway for startups to scale from Dubai to the world.”
As a flagship initiative of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Expand North Star supports Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for innovation and technology. – TradeArabia News Service
