GITEX SCALE X 2026

YOUR NEXT MOVE INTO MENA STARTS HERE

GITEX SCALE X empowers high-growth scaleups to expand into MENA through investor access, enterprise collaboration and structured market-entry support.

MATCHMAKING MADE TO SCALE

This is not passive exposure or random meetings. GITEX SCALE X is a curated growth programme for companies ready to build commercial momentum in the UAE and wider MENA region. SCALE X connects you with the investors, corporate buyers and partners who can power your next stage of growth.

2025 Impact: Proven outcomes, built through the right introductions.

49

Selected scaleups

19

Countries represented

517

Meetings with investors, buyers and corporates

MISTIKIST, TÜRKIYE

Secured a USD 1M investment commitment from a Dubai-based investor met through ScaleX, accelerating a USD 1.5M round at a USD 15M valuation cap.

SAVE YOUR WARDROBE, UNITED KINGDOM

Closed a round onsite, following conversations with Chalhoub Group that reached a turning point at the show and opened the GCC market.

Programme Overview

Built for companies ready to move.

50

Companies selected worldwide

10

Places in the Tech Residency

3

Days of scheduled 1:1 meetings

CONCIERGE MATCHMAKING

No platform login and good luck. Your relationship manager builds your meeting schedule ahead of December, drawing on the Expand North Star investor community and GITEX Global corporate ecosystem.

WARM INTRODUCTIONS, NOT COLD LISTS

Meet relevant VCs, CVCs and enterprise buyers who are briefed on your company before the conversation begins.

CONFIRMED BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

Matches are curated around sector, ticket size, mandate and market priorities, then confirmed before you land in Dubai.

INVESTORS, CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS

Three days of scheduled meetings designed around your business priorities.

WHO QUALIFIES IS SCALEX FOR YOU?

GITEX SCALE X is for venture-backed, Series A+ companies with USD 500K+ ARR, proven product-market fit and active MENA expansion plans. The programme is open to VC-backed, family-office-backed, private-equity-backed and self-funded businesses.

What Every Participant Gets One programme. From preparation to market entry.

Before

  • Matchmaking platform access
  • Curated warm introductions
  • Marketing and PR support
  • Hotel stay arranged for you

During

  • GITEX Scale Summit access
  • Showcase at GITEX ScaleX
  • 1:1 investor and buyer meetings
  • Golden Visa fast-track support
  • Dubai Chambers Launchpad
  • Ministerial and regulator briefings
  • Networking and social events

After

  • Shortlisting for the Tech Residency
  • ScaleX alumni directory access
  • Invitations to embassy sessions and delegation trips

Tech Residency

Ten companies. One deeper market-entry experience.

New for 2026, ten companies from the SCALE X cohort will return to the UAE for a one-week Tech Residency in early January.

Selected during Expand North Star, the residency brings scaleups directly together with corporates, government entities, investors and regional founders - turning initial conversations into active market-entry opportunities.

Investment

One fee. Everything included.

The all-inclusive package covers GITEX Scale Summit access, exhibition presence at GITEX SCALE X, concierge matchmaking before and onsite, four nights accommodation, PR and marketing support, briefings, lounge access and alumni benefits.

Ecosystem Logos Section

Meet the ecosystem behind your next move.

Buyers and corporates who joined us: e&, PepsiCo, DHL, Emaar, Emirates, du and Bridgestone.

Investors who joined us: J.P. Morgan, Lakestar, Plug and Play, Antler, Speedinvest, BECO and Unicorn India Ventures.