Global startup expo enters final day in Dubai as Expand North Star marks a decade of innovation

The world’s largest startup and investor showcase continues at Dubai Harbour ahead of its conclusion tomorrow, bringing together more than 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors from 180 countries as the UAE advances its goal of creating 10 unicorns and 30,000 new jobs by 2030

The 10th edition of Expand North Star, the world’s largest startup and investor connector event, is underway in Dubai today after a four-day showcase that marked a decade of global innovation and entrepreneurship.

Held at Dubai Harbour from 12 to 15 October and organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, the event has brought together founders, investors, and industry leaders from 180 countries.

More than 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors managing a combined US$1.1 trillion in assets have taken part.

Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the exhibition aimed to accelerate deal-flow, scale emerging ventures, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global technology and investment hub.

The government’s related initiative, The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World, targets the creation of 30,000 new jobs by 2030 and at least ten billion-dollar “unicorn” companies by 2031.

Opening the event on Sunday, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, said: “We don’t think like other countries; we think in multi-decade intervals.

“We started investing in AI in 2008 – very early days. Abu Dhabi was investing in chips, in global countries, in companies that were focused on AI. Nobody expected that we could be a key player in the domain of AI. Against all odds, we are proving that we can. This is going to incentivise everyone – East and West.”

He added: “It’s important for us to not only succeed, but for everyone who comes to the UAE to help us understand what we can do better. We do not claim to know it all – we claim to be the best students and the best listeners. One thing we promise is that if people come to us with advice, we are going to take it seriously and ensure that it’s implemented in the coming years.”

Among the enterprises featured was Presight, the G42-owned big data company, which presented the first cohort of startups from its AI-Startup Accelerator, launched in 2024 to support early-stage ventures.

Its Chief Executive Thomas Pramotedham said: “There are many accelerator programmes around the world, but what’s different about ours is that we are creating a global platform.

“The UAE and Abu Dhabi has become the AI capital – and this is where technology and innovation meets. With G42’s ecosystem and the UAE’s reach, we offer our cohorts not only compute and expertise – but real business. And since then, they have met ambassadors, enterprises, and key stakeholders from the public and private sectors.”

Presight also signed a partnership agreement with the UAE Cybersecurity Council. Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government, said: “Cybersecurity is firmly rooted in the DNA of everything that we do. Amidst so many technological aspects – be it AI today, quantum tomorrow, or something else in the future – safety and security will always be one of the main pillars to elevate and enhance next-generation startups and ensure people utilise technologies in the best ways possible.”

According to organisers, this year’s edition recorded unprecedented international participation. Brazil’s trade and investment agency ApexBrasil became the event’s first ever Country Partner, with 55 startups exhibiting AI and fintech innovations across two pavilions.

The exhibition also featured more than 40 unicorn companies, including PsiQuantum (USA), talabat (Kuwait), Andalusia Labs (UAE), and Carousell (Singapore). Global investors in attendance included JP Morgan, Daiwa Capital Management, Eurazeo, Octopus Energy Generation, Qatar National Bank, Raiffeisenbank, Samsung Ventures, and SBI Ventures.

Expand North Star 2025 closes tomorrow.

READ MORE: ‘GITEX GLOBAL 2025 to spotlight AI’s expanding role in future-critical sectors’. The world’s largest technology and AI event returns to Dubai this month for its 45th edition, bringing together more than 6,800 companies and 2,000 startups from 180 countries to showcase breakthroughs in biotech, quantum computing, semiconductors and data infrastructure. As an official media partner, The European will report from Dubai with exclusive coverage and analysis from the leaders shaping the next wave of AI and technology.

Do you have news to share or expertise to contribute? The European welcomes insights from business leaders and sector specialists. Get in touch with our editorial team to find out more.

_{Main image: Denys Gromov/Pexels}