Expand North Star 2025, the world’s largest startup and investor event, opened Sunday at Dubai Harbour, drawing thousands of global visitors for its milestone 10th edition.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the four-day event runs from October 12 to 15 and brings together over 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors managing a combined US$1.1 trillion in assets.
Focus on AI and innovation
The event highlights fast-growing sectors such as artificial intelligence, climate tech, deep tech, digital health, and fintech. It also supports the UAE’s broader strategy to become a global startup hub through initiatives like “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World”, which aims to generate 30,000 jobs by 2030 and create 10 unicorns by 2031.
Speaking at the opening, Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, said:
“We don’t think like other countries; we think in multidecade intervals. We started investing in AI in 2008 – very early days… Against all odds, we are proving that we can.”
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.”
Presight accelerator highlights
AI firm Presight, part of the G42 group, showcased the first cohort from its AI-Startup Accelerator, launched last year to support early-stage startups.
Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, said: “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.”
Presight also signed a new partnership 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… safety and security will always be one of the main pillars.”
Brazil named country partner
This year marks the event’s highest-ever international participation, with representation from 180 countries. Brazil is featured as the first official Country Partner, with 55 startups and innovation hubs present across two pavilions.
The event’s largest-ever unicorn showcase includes over 40 startups such as PsiQuantum (US), talabat (Kuwait), Andalusia Labs (UAE), and Carousell (Singapore).
Major global investors in attendance include JP Morgan, Daiwa Capital Management, Eurazeo, Samsung Ventures, and Qatar National Bank.
Expand North Star continues until October 15 at Dubai Harbour.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
