The Global Tech Spotlight: New Pavilions, Big Funding, Bold Startups, and More

Expand North Star at Dubai Harbour, taking place from 12-15 October 2025, is where the world’s boldest startups, unicorns, and investors collide to shape the future of tech. From quantum breakthroughs to AI chips redefining speed, from women-led powerhouses to game-changing Free Zones—this year’s lineup isn’t just big, it’s unmissable.

Think unicorn builders, global trade pavilions, and industry disruptors all under one roof. If you’re not here, you’re missing the deals, the connections, and the breakthroughs that everyone will be talking about tomorrow.

Ecosystem Anchors: The launchpad effect

DWTC Free Zone (UAE) — Sponsor of the SCALEX Lounge at Expand North Star, connecting startups with investors, global partners, and global business opportunities — cementing its role as a launchpad for high-growth ventures.

Firehood (Canada) — Official Women in Tech partner, hosting a dedicated lounge, a $100K pitch competition, and a four-day stage programme.

Sharjah Business Women’s Council (UAE) — Sponsoring 8 women-led startups with dedicated pods.

Hamilton Reserve Bank (USA) — Signed for 24 sqm; a traditional bank with a Dubai branch, serving SMEs and HNIs.

RAK Digital Asset Oasis (UAE) — The world’s first Free Zone for digital & virtual assets companies.

Snowflake (USA) —North Star by Night Partner; the first cloud-built data warehouse that scales instantly and lets companies share live data globally—like Netflix for data.

Country Pavilions and Regional Associations

Moldova (MITP) — Europe’s first fully virtual IT park and the backbone of Moldova’s tech growth — showcasing three startups in fintech, recruitment, and automation.

Thailand (DITP) — Spotlighting startups driving AI logistics, sustainable proptech, and green packaging; part of Thailand’s global innovation push.

Korea (KITA) — One of Korea’s largest trade associations with 70,000+ member firms, enabling global reach.

Korea (YSK Partners) — Debuting with 3 startups at GITEX & Expand North Star, highlighting Korea’s ecosystem expansion.

Syria Pavilion — first time at any exhibition, Syria takes 72sqm of space to showcase 10 of their boldest tech startups.

ScaleX Programme Joiners

Axelera AI (Netherlands) — Raised $200M+ in 3 years; building energy-efficient AI chips powering the next wave of AI.

Roc8 GmbH (Austria) — Backed by $60M VC funding, creating blockchain infrastructure for consumer apps to launch tokens and scale.

Uniquegood (Korea) — Immersive AR–IoT storytelling game, bringing Black Mirror vibes into real life; raised $2M Series A.

Limula (Switzerland) — Raised $6.8M Seed; automating cell & gene therapy manufacturing to accelerate life-saving treatments.

DigyCorp (UK) — AI & Digital Twin platform for sustainable industries; bootstrapped since 2016, valued at $30M.

Datoms (India) — Connected operations cloud for industrial IoT (construction, mining, ports); raised $1.2M pre-Series A.

Planqc (Germany) — Quantum computing innovator, raised $58M Series A.

Talenteo HR (Algeria/Delaware) — AI-powered HR platform for recruitment & talent management; raised €1M Seed.

StepChange (USA) — Enterprise sustainability platform for measuring & reducing carbon footprint and climate risks; raised $5M Seed.

Secure your spot now to join global investors, visionary founders, and scaleups rewriting the rules of tech.