Enterprise Ireland is proud to announce its participation in Expand North Star 2024
Enterprise Ireland is delighted to participate in Expand North Star 2024, where nineteen of our emerging technology offerings will be explore the business opportunities in Dubai and wider GCC for the week, where they will engage in key activities.
This journey commenced in January 2024, when Enterprise Ireland CEO Leo Clancy signed an MoU with H.E Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. This agreement focuses on the digital technology sector and growing business opportunities between Ireland and Dubai. Since the signing, we have hosted three digital workshops with Dubai Chamber of Commerce, clients, and incubators assisting in company formation, and how to win business in UAE. We are excited to welcome 19 of Irelands exciting technologies to Expand North Star. Key client portfolios on display will include Sports Technology, Information Communication and Technology, and EdTech. These companies are just a part of the wider growing tech industry in Ireland, which was valued at valued at €18.02 billion in 2023 with projected growth putting the value at €27.15 billion by 2028. This has contributed to Ireland being referred to as the Silcon Valley of Europe as the country has produced 7 tech unicorns with a population of only 5 million. Our client companies will be using their time here to build lasting networks and enhance their understanding of the market potential and opportunities.
The event is expected to attract over 70,000 attendees, including 1,200 global investors and Irish companies are eager to know more about the unique opportunity to engage with venture capitalists, accelerators, and industry leaders. A standout offering is the investor program, featuring some of the world's most active venture capitalists and institutional investors, offers significant funding opportunities and the potential for strategic partnerships. This convergence of global innovators and investors makes Expand North Star an essential event for any tech startup looking to accelerate its growth, understand the market and secure substantial investment.
Last year, over 204 Enterprise Ireland client companies exported to UAE totalling €192m in exports, showing a positive growth rate of 21% Y-o-Y. This ecosystem is spurred on by the ambitious Dubai Economic Agenda D33 announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. There are over 100 transformational projects included in this plan reinforcing the importance of events like Expand North Star, as companies can compress what would usually be months of networking into a brief period.
The UAE has also positioned itself as an impressive start-up accelerator hub, which has not gone unnoticed by Irish start-ups and SMEs alike. The UAE has remained a core growth market for Irish businesses with exports to the country growing by 21%, while exports to the wider MENA region grew by 9%. This is undoubtedly due to the start-up culture being cultivated here which prioritises partnerships as a means of accelerating growth, creating new capabilities, and establishing new industries. Irish companies will be paving the way for others to follow in what has been hailed as the fastest growing VC ecosystem in the world, according to fDi Intelligence.
However, the ambitions of Enterprise Ireland, and indeed Irish companies is not just limited to the UAE, as Expand North Star provides access to such a global audience of investors it is crucial to be open to all avenues. Enterprise Ireland is in a unique position to help both our clients and potential partners as we can rely on our global network, which consists of a total of 50 offices with 40 located outside of Ireland. Our local presence is marked by our efficient team of 9 Market Advisors spread across Dubai and Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is through our network and local knowledge that we support Irish companies, identifying strategic opportunities for growth in the region and facilitating participation at global events. This allows us to ensure Irish enterprise will be a part of the rapid growth, projected at 3.9% in the UAE, and the wider growth of the region. Enterprise Ireland will showcase cutting-edge Irish tech innovation at Expand North Star, with the aim of forming strategic partnerships and winning business throughout the region and globally.
Our diverse portfolio of Irish companies offers a wide range of solutions with our largest sector being Sports Technology. The region’s commitment to hosting major international events have highlighted the need for smart stadiums, advanced analytics, and immersive fan experiences, attracting substantial investment from both public and private sectors. It also demonstrates that the region can attract top athletes, that require the newest technology to support their training. The solutions to these challenges are expertly addressed by the 9 sport and event technology companies joining our stand in Expand North Star; Danu Sports, Field of Vision, Hexis, KineMo, MoveAhead, Output Sports, QuizWizards, Skippo and WiiStream.
We also have four companies specialising in software as a service which each addressing a specific business need. They provide insights that allow businesses to streamline services with turn-key solutions. Zartis, Privacy Engine, and Monsoon Software Consulting enable digital transformation which is essential for any modern company looking to strengthen their business value and ensure growth.
Education has also become a key priority across the MENA region as GCC members strive to build world-class leading systems. This ambitious goal can again only be achieved through adopting the latest technologies and expertise. Alpaca, Educatly, Numeracy for Life, and PAT Business School offer insights into new methodologies for learning, making education more accessible and inclusive than ever.
Kelsius, Chirp and Coroflo are contributing to fulfilling the demands of a growing modern society. They are well-positioned to thrive, as their innovative product offerings fit in well with the current adaptation of rapidly evolving technologies throughout the MENA region. Their common focus on leveraging advanced technology to address critical needs in their respective fields, makes them ideal solutions for this market, with products aligning with the MENA region’s goals of enhancing efficiency, safety, and overall quality of life.
With Expand North Star offering an unrivalled access to investors and potential for global partnerships, we are confident each of these Irish companies will provide and receive value from their attendance.
Enterprise Ireland is the government trade organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in the Middle East.