His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee, inaugurated yesterday the 10th edition of the “Expand North Star” exhibition, the world’s largest event connecting startups with investors. The event is organized by Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy at “Dubai Harbour” from October 12 to 15.

The global exhibition, held as part of “GITEX Global 2025”, features participation from over 2,000 of the world’s most ambitious startups. It gathers the highest percentage of companies in growth and expansion stages compared to any other tech event, alongside 40 unicorn companies and more than 1,200 investors from 180 countries managing assets exceeding $1.1 trillion.

Following the opening, His Highness toured the exhibition pavilions, reviewing key global participations in the 10th edition of “Expand North Star”, which this year attracts a distinguished group of entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors from around the world.

He also explored a wide range of solutions and technologies presented by participating countries’ pavilions and startups specializing in artificial intelligence, fintech, smart cities, digital transformation, e-commerce, and other future sectors.

During the tour, His Highness reviewed pioneering solutions reflecting the diversity of the global innovation ecosystem participating in “Expand North Star”. At the Italian pavilion, he learned about startups focusing on AI and digital technologies, highlighting Italy’s growing presence in Dubai’s tech scene.

He also visited the Serbian and Chilean pavilions, where he received briefings on digital economy sectors, deep tech, and solutions aimed at enabling startups to enter new markets.

At the Malaysian and Ecuadorian pavilions, he reviewed practical applications in innovative financial services, digital commerce, and smart supply chains, while the Korean pavilion showcased advanced AI solutions and consumer technologies supporting digital economy growth.

His Highness toured the pavilion of “Presight”, an AI-specialized company, where he was briefed on a range of real-world applications of advanced AI technologies under the theme “Applied Intelligence Today”, highlighting the pivotal role of its solutions in creating tangible impact across communities and businesses across sectors and borders.

He also visited the “Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy” pavilion, reviewing investor-startup matchmaking services and startup community development programs hosted by the chamber as part of its central role in establishing Dubai as a digital economy capital.

Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised the distinguished level “Expand North Star” has reached as a global platform bringing together creative minds and technology pioneers, affirming that Dubai’s hosting of this global event reflects its leading position as a regional and global center for innovation and future technologies. This aligns with Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) goals to enhance the knowledge economy and attract quality investments in advanced technology sectors.

His Highness said: “Thanks to the visionary foresight of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, Dubai’s position as a hub for global dialogue has been firmly established, aiming to drive sustainable development and shape the future. Building strategic partnerships opens wider horizons for growth and creates an enabling ecosystem that unleashes creativity across various fields.”

The opening was attended by Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Omar Sultan Al Olama; Director General of Dubai Economy and Tourism and Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, Hilal Saeed Al Marri; Chairman of Dubai Chambers, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori; Director General of Dubai Chambers, Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah; and Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Saeed Al Qorqawi.

On this occasion, Omar Sultan Al Olama affirmed that “Dubai, guided by the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is accelerating the development of the digital economy, in line with ambitious targets to enhance the emirate’s leading position in the global digital landscape, translating Dubai’s vision to ensure a global digital economic environment based on empowering startups, strengthening global partnerships, and creating a business environment that fosters progress.”

He added that “Expand North Star” is a strategic platform to attract talent and investments, enhance impactful partnerships in these fields, empower startups, and provide a supportive environment for their growth. He pointed to the event’s importance and its active role in the global digital economy map, connecting entrepreneurs to promising opportunities in Dubai and global markets, supporting the emirate’s directions toward economic diversification and accelerating digital transformation across vital sectors.

“Expand North Star” is closely linked to “GITEX Global”, the world’s largest event in technology and artificial intelligence, gathering elite founders, investors, business leaders, and strategic partners from government and private sectors to discuss cooperation prospects, explore growth opportunities, and contribute to shaping the future of the digital and AI economies. The exhibition program aims to open new financing and expansion paths and activate deals and investments to support startups’ ambitions for sustainable growth and expansion.

Alongside the exhibition, “Expand North Star” offers a rich package of events and diverse content through new interactive zones highlighting innovation and investment opportunities in vital future sectors.

The program spans four days, covering key sector themes through an interactive conference agenda that includes specialized summits such as GITEX ScaleX Ventures Summit, Climate Capital Summit, and GITEX Digital Assets Forum.

The Future of Blockchain Forum focuses on the latest innovations in Web 3 and fintech, while startups from various continents compete in the second edition of the “Supernova 2.0” challenge, the world’s largest startup pitch competition, with cash prizes exceeding $300,000.