THE WORLD'S LARGEST EVENT FOR STARTUPS AND INVESTORS

CONNECTING THE STARTUP ECOSYSTEM

Uniting founders, VCs, tech leaders, and ecosystem enablers for the world’s largest event for startups and investors

After the sell-out success of North Star 2022 we’re expanding to the iconic Dubai Harbour for Expand North Star 2023, 15-18 October 2023, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

Across four days Expand North Star will present some of the world’s best startups from over 100 countries, welcome 1000 VCs to raise funds and scout for their portfolio, and deliver unprecedented content program debating the big stories of 2023 including a flash storm of generative Ai startups, and 70+ unicorn founders on stage give their opinions.

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Spotlight on Our Distinguished Speakers

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Global Startup Exhibitors

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Investors

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Speakers

Stages

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Exhibiting Countries

EXPLORE OUR CO-LOCATED SHOWS

Uniting founders, VCs, tech leaders, and ecosystem enablers for the world’s largest event for startups and investors

After the sell-out success of North Star 2022 we’re expanding to the iconic Dubai Harbour for Expand North Star 2023, 15-18 October 2023, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

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Where Finance & Technology Create Limitless Opportunities

An unrivaled meeting place for global fintech leaders will see the financial industry’s biggest tech-revolutions in the fields of paytech, insurtech, regtech, wealth & asset management and digital banking.

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The world's 2nd largest crypto hub & gathering

Over four days at the Future Blockchain Summit, industry leaders will leverage countless networking opportunities, gain insights from a power-packed agenda and pitch for growth funding in the Supernova Challenge.

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Experience tomorrow’s disruptive marketing technologies today

The only marketing + creative technology trade show in the MENA region that gathers the most prolific, imaginative and disruptive tech forces that are reinventing the marketing, communications and CX benchmarks globally.

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EXPAND NORTH STAR OUTGROWS DWTC AND MOVES TO THE PRESTIGIOUS NEW VENUE, DUBAI HARBOUR

Hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and set to take place from 15-18 October 2023 at the Dubai Harbour, Expand North Star shall present a new creative format to extend its engagements with the startup community.

Dubai is the ideal city for the startup world to gather.

After a record-breaking year saw the MENA VC ecosystem cross the $3Bn mark in 2022, unlocking a new funding record for the region and increases in direct government investment.

Expand North Star brings the world together to connect the most ambitious and forward thinking startups with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable global investors.

Helping your brand reach a global audience:

  • 56,100 visitors from the MIDDLE EAST, or 33%
  • 35,700 visitors from AFRICA, or 21%
  • 34,000 visitors from ASIA, or 20%
  • 30,600 visitors from EUROPE, or 18%
  • 13,600 visitors from the AMERICAS, or 8%

WHAT HAPPENS AT NORTH STAR?

We put the spotlight on the best in the region. Find out more here on Africa and Asia

FAST 100 SERIES

Topics covering technology in the creative space including art, fashion, music and more..Read more...

CREATIVE ECONOMY

We dove deep into new technologies and heard from rising start-up hubs. Check out the 2022 agenda

SPOTLIGHT STAGE

Startups to the rescue. Solving global challenges through open innovation...Scouting the best mobility and creative economy startupsRead more...

INNOVATION CUPS

VCs, fund of funds, angel investors and CVCs shared insights on resilient portfolio management & strong investment forecasts for emerging economy startups

VENTURES TRACK

The party don’t stop, North Star participants were able to join networking sessions, attend partner events and chill out in the backyard. Stay tuned for the 2023 schedule

NORTH STAR BY NIGHT

FLASHBACK TO 2022...

Pre-matched funding meetings between startups and VC's

Buyer meetings between startups and corporates & governments

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North Star startups raised funds with investors they met at the event

Startups won $2m USD in cash prizes in challenges & pitch competitions

Startups have setup offices in UAE as a result of Expand North Star

DEFINING THE LANDSCAPE

Expand North Star is proud to co-locate with industry defining events Fintech Surge, Future Blockchain summit  & Marketing Mania, while being inspired by the World's largest and best rated tech event, GITEX Global.

This is the flagship platform for startups to shine as well as grow through interactive Q&As, mentorship, product showcase, meetings, pitch competitions and conference sessions.

Take a look at the record-breaking event by numbers.

HALL OF FAME AT GITEX & NORTH STAR

World’s most impactful VC’s, Unicorns, Founders altering the tech landscape, and Tech Leaders from future-focused corporates

INSPIRING WORDS FROM THE COMMUNITY

Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors

Official Telecom Partner

OFFICIAL BANK PARTNER

Investor Lounge Sponsor

INVESTOR NETWORKING PARTNER

LANYARD SPONSOR

Forum Sponsor

Badge Sponsor

Networking Sponsor

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

VENUE PARTNER

DATA PARTNER

KNOWLEDGE PARTNER

Official Media Monitoring Partner

Knowledge Partner

Business Broadcast Partner

A SNAPSHOT OF THE NORTH STAR ECOSYSTEM

YOUTHX PARTNERS

YOUTHX PARTNERS

ACTIVATION PARTNERS

MEET OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

STRATEGIC PARTNER
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