Since 2016, Dubai has been home to Expand North Star, the world’s largest gathering for startups and investors. The exhibition has helped thousands of digital startups secure multi-million-dollar investment deals and establish strategic partnerships to drive their global expansion.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the 2025 edition will take place from 12–15 October at Dubai Harbour, marking the event’s tenth anniversary. Over the years, it has become a crucial launchpad for startups, connecting innovators with capital and markets, and cementing Dubai’s reputation as a capital of the digital economy.
The success stories of its participants span continents and industries. Nigerian mobility fintech Moove raised more than US$460 million from investors including Uber and BlackRock, expanding into 13 global markets and progressing towards unicorn status with a valuation of around US$750 million. French virtual agent developer Obo secured US$20 million in 2024, while India’s Freshcraft Technologies raised US$12.7 million in 2022. Zaara Biotech, also from India, attracted US$10 million to set up operations in the UAE.
Early-stage startups have also benefited from the platform’s momentum. ShopDoc raised US$1.36 million, Machbee Innovations secured US$1.1 million, and Orgaayur Productions obtained US$58,000 to advance its urban agriculture solutions.
Beyond funding, Expand North Star has accelerated international expansion for many businesses. In 2023, UK-based Lorien Finance leveraged the platform to launch its growth strategy in the Middle East. DeepSeek AI, an exhibitor in 2024, rapidly gained global recognition, underscoring the event’s significance for innovative tech firms.
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 continues to support Dubai’s ambition to establish itself as a global hub for innovation and technology.