Global startup delegations head to Dubai for Expand North Star 2026

Startup ecosystems from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East will gather in Dubai this December for Expand North Star 2026, alongside GITEX GLOBAL. The event is designed to connect founders with investors, corporate buyers and international markets as Dubai doubles down on its role as a launchpad for tech growth.

Why it matters: - Expand North Star 2026 is set to bring together startup ecosystems from multiple continents in Dubai, giving founders a direct route to investors, partners and customers. - The event reinforces Dubai’s position as a hub for international startup expansion and cross-border dealmaking. - The show is taking place in a market that drew a record US$48.3 billion in foreign direct investment in 2025. - International companies accounted for 75% of the 1,690 digital startups supported by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy in 2025.

What happened: - Expand North Star 2026 will run from 7 December at the Dubai World Trade Centre and from 8-10 December at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai. - The event will reunite with GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech, AI and startup show. - Organisers expect 6,000-plus enterprise and startup exhibitors from more than 80 countries across the dual event. - The show is organised by inD with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as Digital Economy Partner.

The details: - Delegations from Canada, Italy and Thailand will participate, alongside groups from Brazil, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine and Serbia. - Additional participation is coming from Austria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Mauritania, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia and the United States. - Canada Startup Association will make its third consecutive appearance and its first national pavilion at Expand North Star. - Canadian delegates will present AI-driven business tools, financial inclusion platforms, cardiovascular health applications and advanced photonics. - The association will co-organise the first Canada Mobility Summit on 7 December with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and the Canadian Business Council Dubai and the Northern Emirates. - The summit will examine opportunities for Canadian tech firms in Dubai’s transport sector. - Thirty Italian startups and SMEs will attend under the Italian Trade Agency. - Italian companies will showcase an AI platform that can cut energy use and CO2 emissions in industrial pumping by as much as 60%, voice-cloning detection technology and sensors for autonomous robotics. - The Italian Pavilion will arrange meetings for investors and companies targeting the GCC and other markets. - Thailand’s pavilion will host 12 companies and the Thai MarTech Association. - The Thai delegation will spotlight AI, agri-tech, climate tech and marketing technology. - The delegation is headed by the Department of International Trade Promotion and aims to expand in the UAE and across the Middle East and North Africa. - New 2026 features include ScaleX, which connects high-growth companies with investors and corporate buyers. - Supernova 0X will offer equity-free cash prizes. - ENS Founders Academy will offer entrepreneurs access to learning from investors, operators and unicorn builders. - Apollo100 will promote business opportunities across 100 global destinations.

Between the lines: - The lineup signals how Dubai is positioning itself as a neutral meeting point for startup ecosystems that want international reach without building presence in every target market first. - The national pavilions also suggest more countries are using Expand North Star as a formal channel for export promotion and investment attraction, not just as a trade show. - The focus on AI, sustainability, mobility and health tech reflects where many governments and startup agencies see near-term commercial demand.

What's next: - Expand North Star begins with the GITEX Summit on 7 December at Dubai World Trade Centre. - The startup exhibition opens at DEC from 8-10 December. - GITEX GLOBAL continues until 11 December. - Delegations and exhibitors will use the event to seek pilots, distribution deals, investor relationships and market-entry opportunities.

The bottom line: - Dubai is using Expand North Star 2026 to deepen its role as a global gateway for startups looking to scale beyond home markets.