Dubai, UAE – Expand North Star, the world’s largest start-up event, is set to make a grand return from October 13-16, 2024, at Dubai Harbour, with the most extensive participation of European and British start-ups ever seen. This year’s event, hosted by Dubai Chambers and organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre, is expected to draw over 2,000 exhibiting start-ups from around the globe, with more than 400 from Europe and the UK alone.
The 9th edition of the event is part of GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech show, and will feature start-ups from various industries, including Agritech, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Climate Tech, Health Tech, and more. Germany will lead the European contingent with 40 start-ups debuting, while the UK returns with a doubled presence of 50 start-ups.
Omar Hassan, Managing Director of Global Growth Hub in the UK, expressed enthusiasm about the participation:
“We are thrilled to have the fastest-growing technology companies in our delegation, spanning across FinTech, AI, Sustainability, and EdTech. Expand North Star provides UK tech with unmatched connectivity into local and international markets.”
European Start-up Surge and Investment Opportunities
European start-ups have seen significant growth in recent months, with a 31% increase in funding in Q2 2024, totaling nearly $16 billion, surpassing Asian start-ups for the first time. Investors from Europe will account for 30% of the 1,200-plus global investors and venture capitalists attending the event. Notable investors include SpeedInvest, one of Europe’s most active early-stage investors with over €1 billion in assets under management.
Other prominent names include H Tree Capital from the UK, Startup Wise Guys from Estonia, and Prediction Capital from Switzerland. Attendees will also witness M4 Ventures from Portugal, which focuses on R&D investments.
The event will feature exclusive meetings and discussions, along with the Supernova Challenge, the world’s largest pitch competition offering a $200,000 cash prize to start-ups showcasing exceptional innovation.
Global Unicorn Presence
Over 65 global unicorns will grace Expand North Star 2024, showcasing the most influential companies from Europe and the UK. German aircraft manufacturer Volocopter will launch its sustainable urban air mobility business, while BitPanda from Austria and Climeworks from Switzerland will highlight their contributions to fintech and climate tech, respectively. BitPanda boasts a valuation of over $4 billion with nearly 3 million users, and Climeworks, backed by the Microsoft Climate Fund, is leading in carbon removal technology.
Conclusion
Expand North Star continues to solidify its status as a leading global platform for start-ups, investors, and unicorns, bridging regions and facilitating groundbreaking collaborations. As part of the broader GITEX GLOBAL event, the four-day exhibition promises unparalleled networking and growth opportunities, positioning Dubai as a critical hub for the tech start-up ecosystem.
For more details, visit: www.expandnorthstar.com
