2,000+ startups to make huge impact at Expand North Star 2024
Europe commits to large presence
The countdown has begun for Expand North Star 2024, the globe’s premier event for startups and allied investors, slated to take over Dubai Harbour from October 13-16. This year’s edition promises a record-breaking showcase of innovation, with over 2,000 startups exhibiting, with over 400 coming from Europe, including the United Kingdom.
Dubai Chambers and Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) host and orchestrate Expand North Star, which is integral to the 44th edition of GITEX Global, the world’s largest technology event.
Middle East News 247 is an official Media Partner of GITEX Global 2024.
Expand North Star 2024 will mark a significant milestone with the most prominent European presence ever recorded. The four-day extravaganza will see startups from various sectors, including agritech, artificial intelligence, climate tech, fintech, healthtech, HRtech, mobility, creative economy, and SaaS, highlighting groundbreaking solutions and real-world applications.
Among the notable highlights is Germany’s prominent debut, with 40 startups joining the Expand North Star ranks for the first time, accompanied by representatives from Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Austria, and Portugal.
Big UK presence
The UK’s participation has doubled from last year, and 50 startups will be featured at its dedicated flagship stand, reflecting the growing growth in its tech sector. France, Italy, and Turkey are also set to make a substantial impact with their return.
Omar Hassan, Managing Director of Global Growth Hub in the UK, said: “We are excited to see our fastest-growing tech companies showcasing advancements in fintech, AI, sustainability, and edtech. Expand North Star offers a valuable platform for these companies to connect with regional markets and potential investors.”
The UK, boasting a startup ecosystem valued at over $1.1 trillion and home to over 150 unicorns, is well-positioned for significant expansion opportunities through Expand North Star 2024. Hassan noted, “Expand North Star provides UK tech firms with critical connectivity and a pathway into local markets, especially within the UAE, Asia, and Africa.”
Top investors
In alignment with the impressive growth trajectory of European startups, which saw a 31% funding increase in Q2 2024 alone, Expand North Star 2024 will host a stellar lineup of investors.
Among them are SpeedInvest, a leading early-stage investor with over $1 billion in assets, H Tree Capital, Startup Wise Guys, Prediction Capital, and M4 Ventures. Attendees will also participate in the Supernova Challenge, the world’s largest pitch competition, with a $200,000 cash prize.
Over 65 global unicorns, including high-profile companies such as BitPanda, an Austrian unicorn valued at over $4 billion, and Climeworks, a Swiss firm renowned for its carbon removal technology backed by Microsoft, will attend the event, adding to its prestige.
Expand North Star 2024 is a landmark event pivotal to GITEX Global’s 44th edition, which will showcase 6,700 companies from over 180 countries from October 14-18, 2024, at the DWTC.
Featured image: Expand North Star 2024 occurs at Dubai Harbour from October 13-16. Credit: DWTC
