From Dubai to the World: A Unique Platform for Startups to Secure Funding and Accelerate Global Growth
Since 2016, Dubai has hosted Expand North Star, the world’s largest event for startups and investors. The exhibition has enabled thousands of digital startups to secure multi-million-dollar investment deals and forge strategic partnerships to accelerate their global growth.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929515975/en/
Expand North Star offers a unique platform for startups to secure funding and accelerate global growth (Photo: AETOSWire)
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the 2025 edition will be held from 12–15 October at Dubai Harbour and marks its tenth anniversary. The event has become a vital launchpad for startups, connecting innovators with capital and markets, and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a capital of the digital economy.
The success stories of participants span continents and industries. Nigerian mobility fintech Moove raised more than US$ 460 million from investors including Uber and BlackRock, before expanding into 13 global markets and moving 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 establish its UAE operations.
Early-stage startups have shared in this momentum, with ShopDoc raising US$ 1.36 million, Machbee Innovations securing US$ 1.1 million, and Orgaayur Productions obtaining US$ 58,000 to develop urban agriculture solutions.
Beyond investment, Expand North Star drives international expansion. In 2023, UK-based Lorien Finance used the platform to launch its growth strategy in the Middle East. DeepSeek AI, an exhibitor in 2024, quickly rose to global prominence, underlining the event’s value for pioneering 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 supports Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for innovation and technology.
About Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy works to position Dubai as a global leader in the digital economy. Its mandate includes attracting leading companies, specialised talent, and investments while creating a supportive environment for digital business growth.
Source: AETOSWire
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929515975/en/
Contacts
Mohamad Mouzehem
Email: mohamad.mouzehem@dubaichamber.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
www.businesswire.com
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Conference Leads Global Dialogue on the Future of AI Ethics29.9.2025 19:46:00 EEST | Press release
Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) conference AI Ethics: The Convergence of Technology and Diverse Moral Traditions concluded with a call for a unified, culturally inclusive framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI). Convened in Qatar, this pivotal event marked a milestone in the discourse surrounding AI and its ethical implications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929755596/en/ The opening plenary session from HBKU's AI Ethics conference (Photo: AETOSWire) The conference brought together leading international academics, policymakers, tech industry experts, ethicists, and others. Their contributions highlighted the multidisciplinary interest in collaborative solutions that align AI with the diversity of moral traditions. Dialogue also sparked new cross-sector partnerships to drive innovation and shape the field’s future. Six thematic areas, healthcare, urban design, security, education, finance, and fut
Amazfit Expands HYROX Athlete Roster with Global Champions and Rising Stars29.9.2025 19:00:00 EEST | Press release
Amazfit, a leading global smart wearables brand by Zepp Health (NYSE: ZEPP), and the Official Timing & Wearable Partner of HYROX, today announced the expansion of its HYROX athlete roster, with Hunter McIntyre (USA) returning for another season and four standout competitors joining the team: Rich Ryan (USA), Joanna Wietrzyk (Australia), Emilie Dahmen (Netherlands), and Linda Meier (Germany). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929662494/en/ Amazfit welcomes back Hunter McIntyre and expands its elite athlete team for the 2025/26 HYROX season with Rich Ryan, Joanna Wietrzyk, Emilie Dahmen, and Linda Meier This roster reflects Amazfit’s commitment to supporting both proven champions and emerging talent in functional fitness racing, while integrating athlete feedback directly into product innovation. Hunter McIntyre – Widely regarded as the face of HYROX, McIntyre remains one of the sport’s most dominant and influe
Regula Positioned as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Identity Verification in Financial Services 2025 Vendor Assessment29.9.2025 17:45:00 EEST | Press release
Regula, a global developer of identity verification (IDV) solutions and forensic devices, has been recognized as a Major Player in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Identity Verification in Financial Services 2025 Vendor Assessment*. We believe this recognition aligns with Regula’s ongoing focus on innovation in identity verification and customer needs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929389416/en/ Regula streamlines and secures identity verification in Finance What makes Regula stand out is the depth of its expertise and the way its solutions are built. For over three decades, Regula has been developing forensic hardware and working side by side with document security experts at borders, airports, and banks worldwide. This hands-on experience created the world’s most comprehensive ID document knowledge base and top-notch technologies to verify the authenticity of any document and identity, including trustwort
CORRECTING and REPLACING GRAPHIC MultiBank Group Strengthens UAE Footprint with New Office in Abu Dhabi29.9.2025 16:38:00 EEST | Press release
Please replace the graphic with the accompanying corrected graphic. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929889419/en/ By extending MEX Global’s expertise to the capital, MultiBank Group ensures clients benefit from the same high standards of integrity and innovation that underpin its operations worldwide. The release reads: MULTIBANK GROUP STRENGTHENS UAE FOOTPRINT WITH NEW OFFICE IN ABU DHABI 26th international location underscores Group’s expansion strategy MultiBank Group, the world’s largest financial derivatives institution headquartered in Dubai, has announced the opening of its new office in Abu Dhabi, expanding its network to 26 locations. The move strengthens the Group’s trajectory in the Middle East and aligns with the UAE’s vision to be recognised as a world-class financial powerhouse. This new hub represents a key step in MultiBank Group’s regional strategy, strengthening its position in a highly co
NIQ’s 2026 Consumer Outlook: Bold Brands Win with Cautious Consumers29.9.2025 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
NielsenIQ (NIQ) (NYSE: NIQ) today released its Consumer Outlook: Guide to 2026. This annual report is a strategic roadmap for driving growth in a volatile, fast-moving market where caution is the consumer’s default—highlighting opportunities for brands that pivot with purpose, build trust, and connect with consumers across channels. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250929977209/en/ The report indicates that consumers have adapted to constant change. While more people report feeling “confident,” this sentiment masks reality: Inflation, everyday expenses, and borrowing costs continue to squeeze wallets. In fact, 40% of global consumers say they're being cautious even as inflation cools. The report also shows that today’s consumers are spending intentionally, rewarding retailers and brands that deliver trust, personalization, and convenience. Clean label products in the U.S. are growing at a rate of +7.5% this yea
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom