"Expand North Star" Promotes the growth of startups from 180 countries

Dubai, October 12, 2017 – The Expand North Star event, as the largest global event for investors and emerging companies, within GITEX Global, contributes to supporting the expansion of the digital ecosystem around the world, with the volume of global investments in venture capital reaching US$368 billion in 2024.
The tenth edition of the event, which launched today, attracted more than 2,000 startups and 1,200 investors from 180 countries, including Brazil as an international partner, in addition to new participation from Ecuador and Chile.
Expand North Star will run over four days between October 12 and 15, and is designed to push funding, scale and deal flow to new heights, catalyzing partnerships and driving inclusive digital growth in emerging AI economies.
As the first official country partner in the event’s history, Brazil is in strong presence with more than 50 startups showcasing their solutions during Expand North Star 2025.
In her opening speech today, Tatiana Riera, Executive Director of the Dubai office of Apex Brazil, Brazil’s national trade and investment promotion agency, emphasized the UAE’s pivotal role in fostering innovation and building international partnerships.
Riera said that Brazil is today home to one of the largest ecosystems of startups, venture capital and private equity in the world, with more than 20,000 startups in the country, pointing out that the exhibition is not limited to showcasing startups, but also includes participation in creating the future between Brazil and the UAE, and between Brazil and the rest of the world.
Since its inaugural edition in 2016, Expand Northstar has continued to expand its global presence and reputation, attracting founders, investors, entrepreneurs, business executives and strategic partners from the public and private sectors from around the world, including countries participating for the first time.
Among the new exhibitors is Ecuador, and during his presence at Expand North Star, Felipe Ribadeneira, Ecuadorian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, stressed the importance of his country’s presence, saying, “We are proud to showcase more than 22 Ecuadorian companies, including 20 startups, offering solutions ranging from AI-powered banking to advanced medical technologies.”
He added that Dubai and the UAE are investing strongly to be a global center for data and artificial intelligence, and we see a tremendous opportunity to build on this momentum, and in February, during the World Government Summit, we expect to sign an important memorandum to create a logistics corridor for technology in an additional step towards a deeper, win-win partnership between Ecuador and the UAE.
Chile is also participating for the first time in Expand North Star, through 12 service companies covering various sectors, including mining, education, finance, construction, and entertainment.
The Chile-Dubai Innovation Summit, which will be hosted by the Chilean Pavilion, will contribute to strengthening Chile’s presence in the UAE and other Middle Eastern countries, in support of the path of diversifying Chilean exports.
In addition to opening the doors to new markets, the event is an attraction for major global venture capital and private equity investors seeking to discover the next unicorn companies.
GITEX Global and Expand North Star are attended by 1,200 investors with assets under management exceeding US$1.1 trillion, a striking reflection of the economic impact and global influence of the two events.
Dr. Jörg Goschen, CEO of KFW Capital, praised the UAE’s focus on innovation, considering it a natural partner for those wishing to expand opportunities from European markets.
Dubai World Trade Centre, the organizer of GITEX Global and Expand North Star events, signed a package of partnerships with a number of international bodies during the first day of the event in Dubai Harbour. These partnerships include various major countries, including understandings with Brisight, 28 Digital, Apex Brazil, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Serbia.
These partnerships reinforce the position of Dubai World Trade Center as a comprehensive global platform from which more than 8,000 founders have expanded their businesses over the years.
GITEX Global and Expand North Star reflect the Dubai government’s ambition to foster innovation and attract global talent, with an aspiration to generate 30,000 new jobs by 2030 and create at least 10 unicorn companies, meaning their valuation exceeds one billion dollars, by 2031.

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Related