Expand North Star 2025, part of GITEX GLOBAL, has opened its landmark 10th edition with record-breaking participation from across the world, reaffirming Dubai’s status as a global hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment.
Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the four-day event has brought together 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors representing more than 100 countries, including debut participants from Ecuador and Chile, and Brazil as the event’s first-ever Country Partner.
With global venture capital investments reaching US$368 billion in 2024, Expand North Star has cemented its role as a critical platform for accelerating global startup growth, forging partnerships, and driving digital inclusion across emerging AI economies.
Brazil Builds Bridges for Innovation
Making history as the first official Country Partner, Brazil has made a strong impression with more than 50 leading startups showcasing their innovations at Dubai Harbour.
Tatiana Riera, Chief Operating Officer at the Dubai Office of ApexBrasil (Brazil’s national trade and investment promotion agency), emphasised the significance of the UAE’s role in advancing global collaboration:
“Brazil is home to one of the world’s biggest ecosystems for startups, venture capital, and private equity, with more than 20,000 in the country. ApexBrasil is at Expand North Star to build bridges between Brazil and the world – especially here in Dubai. It’s not just about showcasing startups, but co-creating the future between Brazil, the UAE, and beyond.”
Ecuador and Chile Make Their Mark
Ecuador made its first appearance at the event, with 22 companies, including 20 startups, presenting innovations ranging from AI-driven banking platforms to advanced medical technologies.
Felipe Ribadeneira, Ambassador of Ecuador to the UAE, described the event as an essential gateway for technology partnerships and regional expansion:
“Dubai and the UAE are investing boldly to become a global hub for data and artificial intelligence, and we see tremendous opportunity to build with that momentum.”
Ecuador is also set to sign a landmark memorandum of understanding at the upcoming World Government Summit, establishing a technology logistics corridor between Ecuador and the UAE.
Meanwhile, Chile marked its debut with 12 service companies representing key sectors including mining, education, finance, construction, and entertainment. The Chile–Dubai Innovation Summit, hosted at the Chilean Pavilion, aims to enhance bilateral cooperation and diversify Chile’s exports across the Middle East.
Expanding Capital Access for Global Startups
Beyond showcasing innovation, Expand North Star serves as a gateway for venture capital and private equity investment. The 1,200 investors attending this year collectively manage over US$1.1 trillion in assets, underlining the show’s growing economic influence.
Speaking at a panel on “Driving Venture Capital Growth and Innovation with Sovereign Wealth Funds,” Dr Jörg Goschin, CEO of KFW Capital, highlighted the UAE’s pivotal role in enabling cross-border innovation:
“When investors have clear pathways and transparency, they invest. With its appetite for technology and capital, the UAE provides a powerful platform to co-invest in high-quality European innovation.”
Forging Global Partnerships for Growth
During the opening day, DWTC signed a series of strategic international partnerships with Presight, 28 Digital, ApexBrasil, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, expanding opportunities for collaboration and market access.
These partnerships further establish Dubai as an inclusive platform for startups, where over 8,000 founders have already scaled their ventures to international success through GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star.
Both events reflect Dubai’s broader vision to generate 30,000 new jobs by 2030 and create at least 10 unicorn companies by 2031, contributing to the UAE’s long-term economic transformation.
A Global Platform for Innovation and Investment
As the world’s largest startup and investor connector, Expand North Star 2025 continues through 15 October at Dubai Harbour, before GITEX GLOBAL 2025 opens at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 13 to 17 October.
Together, the two events form the world’s most comprehensive technology and innovation ecosystem, bridging markets, industries, and investment opportunities across 180 countries.
For more information, visit expandnorthstar.com.
