The “Expand North Star” exhibition, the premier global event for startups and investors held in Dubai since 2016, has successfully created exceptional opportunities for thousands of digital startups from around the world to secure multi-million dollar investment deals and establish strategic partnerships that support their growth and expansion.
This upcoming edition of “Expand North Star,” organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Digital Economy Chamber, will take place at Dubai Harbour from October 12 to 15, 2025. It celebrates a decade of continuous success in empowering entrepreneurs, connecting them with funding opportunities and markets, and transforming promising ideas into leading global companies. This initiative contributes to establishing Dubai as a global capital for the digital economy and a favored destination for innovators, investors, and pioneering enterprises in advanced technology sectors, aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
Global Success Stories
The success stories that have emerged from “Expand North Star” serve as compelling evidence of the exhibition’s vital role in converting entrepreneurial ideas into influential global entities. For instance, the Nigerian company “Moove,” which provides financing solutions in the mobility sector, raised over $460 million from major investors such as Uber and BlackRock. Following its participation in the exhibition, the company expanded into 13 global markets, achieving a market valuation of approximately $750 million and rapidly nearing unicorn status.
“Expand North Star” acts as a crucial platform for attracting investments, facilitating connections between innovators and funding sources to accelerate the growth of projects at various stages of development. In 2024, the French company specializing in virtual agent development, Obo, secured a $20 million investment after meeting an investor at the exhibition. Similarly, the Indian firm Freshcraft Technologies attracted $12.7 million for its ion plasma sterilization technology following its participation in the 2022 edition, while Indian agricultural technology leader Zaara Biotech received $10 million to launch its operations in the UAE.
The exhibition is equally pivotal in supporting early-stage startups. ShopDoc raised $1.36 million, while Machbee Innovations obtained $1.1 million to develop their IoT-enabled smart devices. Additionally, Orgaayur Productions secured $58,000 to enhance its agricultural solutions tailored for urban environments after attending the exhibition in 2022.
Beyond facilitating capital access, “Expand North Star” serves as an effective platform for establishing strategic partnerships and accelerating market expansions. In the 2023 edition, UK-based Lorien Finance chose the exhibition to unveil its growth strategy for the Middle East.
In 2024, DeepSeek AI emerged as a standout exhibitor, highlighting the event’s significance as a premier platform for leading technology companies driving major transformations.
Saeed Al Qerquani, Vice President of the Dubai Digital Economy Chamber, stated, “For a decade, the ‘Expand North Star’ exhibition has been a leading platform for innovation and opportunity. The inspiring success stories generated by this event, from startups to innovators in AI and agricultural technology, exemplify Dubai’s esteemed position as a global hub for the digital economy. As we celebrate these achievements, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs and further establishing ‘Expand North Star’ as a strategic gateway that provides startups with broader horizons to launch from Dubai to the global stage.”
“Expand North Star” is a key pillar in the strategy pursued by the Dubai Digital Economy Chamber to fulfill the emirate’s ambitions of becoming a leading global center for innovation and technology, serving as a gateway to rapidly growing markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.