His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, as well as Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, toured Expand North Star 2025, the world’s largest gathering of startups and investors, Xpats.ae reported.
Hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre at Dubai Harbour, the event continues until 15 October. This year’s edition welcomes more than 2,000 startups and over 1,200 investors, solidifying Expand North Star’s standing as the leading global platform that connects innovation with venture capital.
During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan emphasised that Dubai’s hosting of Expand North Star illustrates its status as a global hub for entrepreneurship and technological advancement. He highlighted that the event supports Dubai’s vision to build a dynamic digital economy driven by knowledge and innovation. His Highness added that aligning the event with GITEX GLOBAL 2025 reinforces Dubai’s position as a supportive and forward-looking business environment that attracts investors and creative minds from all over the world.
His Highness noted, “The consistent expansion of Expand North Star each year reflects the growing international confidence in Dubai as a destination that fosters creativity and innovation and contributes to shaping the future of the digital economy. Dubai’s comprehensive ecosystem—equipped with advanced digital infrastructure, adaptive legislation, and strategic collaborations—has positioned the emirate as a pivotal player in empowering startups and driving technological transformation globally.”
He further stated, “Investing in talent and entrepreneurs within advanced technology sectors is an investment in the nation’s future and an essential pillar in realizing the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Global events like Expand North Star reaffirm Dubai’s commitment to connecting ideas with financial capital, nurturing an innovation-led economy driven by knowledge and the creativity of the next generation.”
Joining His Highness during the visit were His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers; His Excellency Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology; and Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.
His Highness visited several pavilions exhibiting the latest innovations presented by global companies across sectors such as technology, investment, and emerging industries. These projects serve to strengthen the regional digital ecosystem and reinforce Dubai’s role as a growth enabler for startups worldwide.
The visit began at the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy pavilion, where His Highness reviewed key initiatives connecting entrepreneurs with investors and observed specialised programmes supporting startup development and digital economic growth.
Sheikh Hamdan also toured the Serbia Pavilion, showcasing state-of-the-art innovations in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and the Ecuador Pavilion, featuring entrepreneurship initiatives and investment prospects for international startups.
He was also briefed on SpacePoint, an Emirati enterprise focusing on satellite and space technologies, along with local startups Secure Y71 and Nabibk, which displayed their most recent digital innovations. Additionally, he explored the HealthTech Pavilion, which introduced advancements in medical AI, wearable health devices, and early detection technologies.
His Highness concluded his visit at the India Pavilion, where more than 200 startups are showcasing innovations across sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, semiconductors, and data technologies.
