Investor networks and funding programs at the 44th edition of GITEX Global: Improving scaling prospects for businesses

• GITEX Global provides unparalleled business opportunities in Dubai, connecting start-ups with over 1,200 investors from 180+ countries.
• Innovation in Dubai thrives with funding programs like the Supernova Challenge, which offers significant cash prizes and exposure.
• Investor networks at GITEX fuel growth and partnerships for global businesses.

The 44th edition of GITEX Global has been officially launched and has gained a new record of participants. There are approximately 245,000 event attendees, 7,200 creative exhibitors, 400 government and digital agencies, and 1,200 investors from over 180 countries.

As the largest tech exhibition in the MENASA region, GITEX — including its multi-tech sector events — offers an unmatched networking platform for all types of entities within the global innovation ecosystem. Firms and talented individuals worldwide indeed engage in discussions about potential partnerships to explore the future of technology. Notably, an influential area of focus at every GITEX show is the investors’ role in providing funding for global SMBs and start-ups to thrive in Dubai’s business environment.

This article is the third in a blog series that covers the significant aspects of GITEX Global 2024. It will specifically examine the funding and business opportunities in Dubai.

The funding pathways available at Gitex 2024

GITEX presents a suite of funding opportunities for businesses in Dubai, with programs like the Supernova Challenge offering a substantial cash injection. An important aspect of the tech exhibition, this competition allows registered participants to enter into pitching rounds on their innovative business ideas to a panel of investors, industry experts, and venture capitalists. It has a $200,000 prize pool, where the first-place winner gets to secure $100,000. But, beyond the monetary rewards, this challenge grants the necessary exposure that will open doors to potential investment deals post-competition.

Global and Dubai-based SMEs also have multiple avenues to secure financial backing at GITEX Global 2024. Exhibition spaces create valuable face-to-face interactions with savvy investors eager to finance leading-edge prototypes or market-ready projects in AI, the metaverse, 5G, and cybersecurity. Additionally, prearranged private meetings allow for deeper discussions about investment opportunities.

The investor ecosystem at this global tech show undoubtedly provides growth capital and efficient market entry strategies for the most promising firms.

How global investors fuel business opportunities in Dubai

GITEX welcomes over 65 unicorns and multinational technology giants like Alibaba Cloud, Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft. It also serves as Dubai’s key platform for entrepreneurs to connect with angel investors, venture capitalists, accelerators, and institutional partners — such as Seed Group. These entities are essential figures that play pivotal functions in the MENASA region’s business and investment field.

In 2023, Expand North Star reportedly attracted over 923 investors from 56 countries, with a combined $1 trillion in assets under management (AUM). This network has infused millions into promising ventures, which demonstrates how the global exhibition serves as a prime spot for the creation of business opportunities in Dubai.

Today, I toured the Expand North Star 2024 exhibition, the world’s largest gathering of startups and investors, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy from 13 to 16 October at Dubai Harbour. The unique event has attracted… pic.twitter.com/JBVA7oqffN

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 13, 2024

Similarly, Expand North Star has seen one of the largest investor conventions having scheduled 11,350 meetings. Its investor program primarily focuses on addressing the investment climate as well as the trends and future of technology. These figures underline the city’s pro-innovation economy and its growing repute as a magnet for global capital.

Dubai’s lucrative business environment

The GITEX Global ecosystem has long been a key driver in advancing the technological transformation efforts of the metropolis. The presence of investors managing extensive portfolios at the event ensures start-ups and SMEs can access unmatched business opportunities in Dubai. Once they establish their market footing, these firms can very much emerge as leading forces contributing to the emirate and the wider MENASA region’s mission of building future-ready AI economies.