The 2025 edition of Expand North Star has successfully concluded, cementing its position as the world’s largest gathering for startups and investors and underscoring Dubai’s central role in shaping the future of digital entrepreneurship. Organized by the Dubai World Trade Center and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the event served as a powerful platform for innovation, investment, and collaboration, drawing the global tech community to the emirate.
A Global Convergence of Capital and Innovation
This year’s event shattered previous records, attracting over 2,000 startups and more than 1,200 investors who collectively manage assets exceeding $1.1 trillion. The scale of the gathering was further amplified by the presence of founders from 40 unicorn companies, boasting a combined valuation of $900 billion. The strong international turnout included first-time national pavilions from the United States, Syria, Ecuador, and Chile, highlighting the event’s growing global appeal. Asian startups represented 41 percent of participants, with a notable delegation of around 300 startups from India and Brazil marking its largest-ever participation with over 50 companies.
Strong Emirati and Regional Presence on Display
The UAE’s rapidly evolving digital business environment was showcased through the significant participation of local companies. Approximately 500 UAE-headquartered digital startups were present, including 116 Emirati-owned enterprises. The ‘Emaratipreneur’ initiative was a key feature, spotlighting the innovative contributions of 50 startups led by the new generation of Emirati entrepreneurs and reflecting the growing competitiveness of local talent in advanced technology sectors.
AI and Climate Tech Lead The Agenda
Artificial intelligence was the dominant theme, with 22 percent of all participating startups specializing in AI. Reflecting global trends and regional priorities, Climate Tech was the second-most represented sector at 13 percent, with startups focusing on energy, agriculture, and food innovation. Healthtech and Fintech were also prominent, each accounting for 11 percent of the startups. The event introduced several new specialized zones to provide deeper insights, including ScaleX for fast-growing scaleups, North Star Green Impact for climate-focused ventures, the Deeptech MEA Summit, and the Digital Assets Forum.
Dubai’s Ecosystem Takes Center Stage
The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s pavilion was a hub of activity, engaging attendees with initiatives designed to attract and empower digital companies in the emirate. Visitors explored the ‘Launchpad Dubai’ program, which offers a comprehensive package of services, including Golden Visa issuance, to support business establishment. The pavilion also promoted the ‘Business in Dubai’ platform, a key tool in the chamber’s strategy to position Dubai as a leading global capital for innovation and technology.
About Expand North Star
Expand North Star is the world’s largest startup and investor event, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre. It serves as a pivotal platform connecting innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the globe, playing a key role in stimulating economic growth and advancing Dubai’s vision of becoming a global capital for innovation and technology.
Source: Economy Middle East
