The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, a leading force in transforming the region into a global hub for innovation and technology, is debuting new showcases at Expand North Star 2023. Set to be held from October 15 to October 18 at the Dubai Harbour, the event is bringing together startups, investors, and innovators from around the world to explore the boundless opportunities that the digital economy offers.
Unveiling new startup showcases
Expand North Star 2023 is marked by three showcases: India Central, Asia Fast 100, and Africa Fast 100. Each of these showcases plays a significant role in the event’s overall mission of fostering connections and promoting innovation.
- India Central: Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of this event is the India Central showcase. India is home to over 90,000 startups and boasts more than 100 unicorn companies. This showcase brings the essence of India’s vibrant startup ecosystem to Dubai, with an estimated 300 Indian startups participating. The presence of state ministers, unicorn founders, and leading venture capitalists adds to the allure. A dedicated conference will shed light on India’s tech landscape, its regulatory environment, and emerging investment opportunities.
- Asia Fast 100: The Asian startup ecosystem is on an unprecedented growth trajectory. This showcase brings together the 100 most promising startups from across Asia. With projections indicating that Southeast Asia’s tech startups could reach a total value of US$1 trillion by 2025, this is a glimpse into the future of tech innovation.
- Africa Fast 100: Not to be outdone, the African startup scene has seen remarkable growth in recent years. With 633 African startups raising a combined US$3.3 billion in 2022, the potential for innovation on the continent is immense. Africa Fast 100 is a testament to this growth, connecting startups, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the African continent.
Additionally, Expand North Star will host several unique initiatives, such as AI Monday, CTO World Congress, and Angel Sunday, offering startups invaluable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.
A vision for the digital economy
According to the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, its vision extends beyond this event. It’s a commitment to strengthening economic relationships with Asian and African markets, especially in technology and digital transformation. The chamber aims to introduce entrepreneurs and startups to Dubai’s digital ecosystem, facilitate their expansion into the emirate, and provide the tools they need to succeed.
Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33) sets the stage for a digital future. The digital economy is a key pillar of this agenda, with a goal of generating an annual economic contribution of AED 100 billion from digital transformation projects. Expand North Star is pivotal to this mission, aiming to transform 30 startups into unicorns by 2033.
Expand North Star 2023 offer a platform for global talents and ideas. With more than 1,800 startup exhibitors from over 100 countries and over 1,000 investors with a combined total of over $1 trillion under management, Dubai is rapidly emerging as a leading capital of the global digital economy.
