Latest news with #ExpandNorthStar
Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supports establishment and expansion of 127 digital startups in Dubai during Q1 2025
H.E. Al Olama: 'We are continuing to support the development of a fully integrated digital ecosystem, built on world-class infrastructure and forward-looking legislation. Our aim is to foster the growth of emerging and established digital companies and enable their global expansion from Dubai.' • The chamber organised 12 international roadshows to showcase Dubai's advanced digital business ecosystem and promote the upcoming edition of Expand North Star, the world's largest event for startups and investors. • Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy organised four events to support the business community, empower startups, nurture talent, build partnerships, and enhance the ease of doing business in Dubai. • The number of partners participating in the 'Business in Dubai' platform increased to 114, enabling access to a wide range of services. Dubai, UAE – Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has announced that it supported the establishment and expansion of 127 digital startups in the emirate during the first quarter of 2025. This represents a 135% increase compared to the same period last year, reflecting the chamber's ongoing efforts to cement Dubai's position as a preferred global hub for tech startups. During Q1 2025, the chamber organised four events aimed at supporting the business community, empowering startups, nurturing talent, building partnerships, and enhancing the ease of doing business in Dubai. In addition, 729 participants received training through the chamber's digital upskilling programmes, which are designed to enhance the capabilities of specialised talent in advanced technology sectors and build a future-ready workforce. The chamber also continued its efforts to support companies looking to launch or expand their operations in Dubai through its 'Business in Dubai' platform, which offers access to a comprehensive suite of institutional services. The platform also provides business matchmaking services to help companies identify suitable partners, investors, and clients. During Q1 2025, the chamber expanded its network of service providers with the addition of 20 new partners, bringing the total number of platform partners to 114 across a wide range of service categories. His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented: 'The chamber is committed to playing a pivotal role in positioning Dubai as a global leader in the digital economy, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We are continuing to support the development of a fully integrated digital ecosystem, built on world-class infrastructure and forward-looking legislation. Our aim is to foster the growth of both emerging and established digital companies, enable their global expansion from Dubai, and drive innovation and digital entrepreneurship across the economy.' His Excellency added: 'Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is focused on accelerating digital transformation and reinforcing the city's attractiveness as a prime destination for technology investment, innovation, and digital talent, creating impactful solutions that contribute to both economic and social development.' During the first quarter of this year, the chamber conducted 12 international roadshows to showcase Dubai's advanced digital business ecosystem and highlight the significance of Expand North Star, the world's largest event for startups and investors. This marks a significant increase from the three roadshows that took place in the same period last year. Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the 2025 edition of Expand North Star will take place at Dubai Harbour from 12–15 October. The first promotional campaign in the United States covered Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Francisco, attracting more than 200 participants from across the startup, investment, and tech ecosystems. The second leg of the campaign took place in Canada, with events in Toronto, Mississauga, and Vancouver, where the chamber engaged with more than 350 entrepreneurs, startup founders, investors, accelerators, and digital policymakers. The sessions highlighted Dubai's strengths as a global hub for digital business growth and expansion, while also outlining the benefits of participating in Expand North Star. In March, the Chamber also organized a promotional campaign for the exhibition in Australia, with events held in both Sydney and Melbourne. The campaign attracted 400 tech stakeholders, including startups, investors, and technology firms.
Hi Dubai
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy Supports 127 Startups in Q1 2025 as Global Tech Push Accelerates
The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy supported the launch and expansion of 127 digital startups in the first quarter of 2025 — a 135% surge compared to the same period last year — as part of its broader mission to position Dubai as a global hub for technology and innovation. The chamber, one of three under Dubai Chambers, ramped up efforts to attract and support digital ventures by organising four key business events and training 729 participants through its digital upskilling programmes. These initiatives are aimed at strengthening Dubai's tech talent pool and promoting a future-ready workforce. To further streamline business entry and growth, the chamber expanded its 'Business in Dubai' platform, adding 20 new service providers in Q1 alone, bringing the total to 114. The platform offers institutional services, business matchmaking, and access to potential investors and partners. Chairman Omar Sultan Al Olama, also Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, said the chamber plays a 'pivotal role' in driving Dubai's digital transformation and enabling innovation-led growth. He reaffirmed the chamber's commitment to building a world-class digital ecosystem aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. International outreach was also a key focus in Q1. The chamber conducted 12 global roadshows — up from three last year — in cities across the US, Canada, and Australia. These campaigns drew over 950 participants and promoted Dubai's digital ecosystem while spotlighting Expand North Star, the world's largest startup event, set to take place at Dubai Harbour from 12–15 October 2025. The initiatives collectively underscore Dubai's growing influence as a leading destination for tech investment and entrepreneurship. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Web Release
26-04-2025
- Business
- Web Release
TiE Women MENA 2025 launches sixth edition to champion the next generation of women entrepreneurs
The Dubai chapter of TiE Global has officially launched the sixth annual TiE Women MENA 2025 competition, an empowering initiative designed to support and elevate women entrepreneurs across the region. The program runs five parallel tracks: TiE Women Emirati, TiE Women UAE, TiE Women Saudi Arabia, TiE Women Egypt, and TiE Women Rest of MENA. The competition kicks off with an application phase open until June 15, 2025. Through multiple rounds of screening, an impartial jury comprising TiE Dubai Charter Members will identify the most innovative ventures across the five tracks. Shortlisted entries will move forward to regional competitions in September, with finalists presenting their startups in a series of competitive pitch events. Winners from each track will then advance to the MENA finals, set to take place during Expand North Star at GITEX Global in Dubai Harbour this October. The journey concludes with the Global Finals, to be hosted at the TiE Global Summit in Jaipur, India, in December. The program aims to foster equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and make a meaningful impact on their economies. This year, it continues to spotlight the role of women in business, with a strong emphasis on developing their skills through a structured and supportive framework. At every stage, selected finalists will benefit from a series of one-on-one mentoring clinics, targeted workshops led by TiE Dubai members, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and direct exposure to investors and experts. TiE Dubai Charter Members, a community of seasoned business leaders and entrepreneurs, will drive mentorship and training, offering startups vital insights to scale their businesses. Raed Hafez, Co-Chair of TiE Women MENA 2025 added: 'Our vision is to embrace, engage, and empower women entrepreneurs across the globe, regardless of their enterprise size, origin, or background. With a mission built on learning, mentorship, funding access, scalability, and community, TiE Women MENA 2025 aims to be a catalyst for a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. This support is more critical than ever, as recent data shows male-only ventures in the MENA region still raise five times more funding than women-only ventures, highlighting the pressing need to create greater opportunities and access for female founders.' Carlina Marani, Charter Member and Co-Chair of TiE Women MENA 2025, said: 'Despite women leading less than 5% of businesses in the MENA region, the momentum for change is undeniable, with the UAE alone seeing a 23.1% increase in women's participation in the private sector in 2024. Being part of TiE Women 2024 as a mentor showed me firsthand the enormous impact this program has on female founders. Under the guidance of TiE Dubai, through mentorship, training, and exposure at GITEX and across the TiE global network, women entrepreneurs truly flourish, strengthening not just their businesses but the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole.' Tapping into the vast, underutilised pool of female talent presents a significant opportunity, with research indicating that the MEA region could add $812 billion to its GDP over the next three years if gender parity across the region mirrors the progress seen in the UAE. Since its inception in 2020, TiE Women MENA has witnessed double-digit growth in the number of applicants annually, with startups increasingly focused on social impact sectors such as HealthTech, EdTech, Sustainability, and Life Sciences. As a mission-driven initiative, the competition collaborates with 16+ accelerators, incubators, venture capital funds, and angel investor networks, leveraging their combined strengths to empower and elevate women entrepreneurs across the startup ecosystem. The TiE Women MENA 2024 winners stand as shining examples: Maryam Al Ansari (Itifaq, UAE) using AI for legal research; Ria Chakrabarti (Veristyle, UAE) leveraging computer vision for personal styling; Nadine Farrag (Farahy, Egypt), founder of Egypt's largest wedding platform; Fatimah Al Abbad (Magic Pin, Saudi Arabia) developing minimally invasive orthopaedic devices; and Nivine Hachem (Paltic, Rest of MENA) creating sustainable building materials from recycled plastics. The TiE Women Global Finals winner will receive an equity-free cash grant of $50,000, further boosting their business growth and impact. Open to female-founded or co-founded startups less than seven years old (registered after January 1, 2018), the competition seeks to boost ventures with demonstrated traction. Participating founders must hold at least 33% equity. Application details and submission can be accessed through the official TiE Women website.
Zawya
24-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
TiE Women MENA 2025 launches sixth edition to champion the next generation of women entrepreneurs
Dubai, UAE – The Dubai chapter of TiE Global has officially launched the sixth annual TiE Women MENA 2025 competition, an empowering initiative designed to support and elevate women entrepreneurs across the region. The program runs five parallel tracks: TiE Women Emirati, TiE Women UAE, TiE Women Saudi Arabia, TiE Women Egypt, and TiE Women Rest of MENA. The competition kicks off with an application phase open until June 15, 2025. Through multiple rounds of screening, an impartial jury comprising TiE Dubai Charter Members will identify the most innovative ventures across the five tracks. Shortlisted entries will move forward to regional competitions in September, with finalists presenting their startups in a series of competitive pitch events. Winners from each track will then advance to the MENA finals, set to take place during Expand North Star at GITEX Global in Dubai Harbour this October. The journey concludes with the Global Finals, to be hosted at the TiE Global Summit in Jaipur, India, in December. The program aims to foster equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs, enabling them to thrive and make a meaningful impact on their economies. This year, it continues to spotlight the role of women in business, with a strong emphasis on developing their skills through a structured and supportive framework. At every stage, selected finalists will benefit from a series of one-on-one mentoring clinics, targeted workshops led by TiE Dubai members, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and direct exposure to investors and experts. TiE Dubai Charter Members, a community of seasoned business leaders and entrepreneurs, will drive mentorship and training, offering startups vital insights to scale their businesses. Raed Hafez, Co-Chair of TiE Women MENA 2025 added: "Our vision is to embrace, engage, and empower women entrepreneurs across the globe, regardless of their enterprise size, origin, or background. With a mission built on learning, mentorship, funding access, scalability, and community, TiE Women MENA 2025 aims to be a catalyst for a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. This support is more critical than ever, as recent data shows male-only ventures in the MENA region still raise five times more funding than women-only ventures, highlighting the pressing need to create greater opportunities and access for female founders." Carlina Marani, Charter Member and Co-Chair of TiE Women MENA 2025, said: "Despite women leading less than 5% of businesses in the MENA region, the momentum for change is undeniable, with the UAE alone seeing a 23.1% increase in women's participation in the private sector in 2024. Being part of TiE Women 2024 as a mentor showed me firsthand the enormous impact this program has on female founders. Under the guidance of TiE Dubai, through mentorship, training, and exposure at GITEX and across the TiE global network, women entrepreneurs truly flourish, strengthening not just their businesses but the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole." Tapping into the vast, underutilised pool of female talent presents a significant opportunity, with research indicating that the MEA region could add $812 billion to its GDP over the next three years if gender parity across the region mirrors the progress seen in the UAE. Since its inception in 2020, TiE Women MENA has witnessed double-digit growth in the number of applicants annually, with startups increasingly focused on social impact sectors such as HealthTech, EdTech, Sustainability, and Life Sciences. As a mission-driven initiative, the competition collaborates with 16+ accelerators, incubators, venture capital funds, and angel investor networks, leveraging their combined strengths to empower and elevate women entrepreneurs across the startup ecosystem. The TiE Women MENA 2024 winners stand as shining examples: Maryam Al Ansari (Itifaq, UAE) using AI for legal research; Ria Chakrabarti (Veristyle, UAE) leveraging computer vision for personal styling; Nadine Farrag (Farahy, Egypt), founder of Egypt's largest wedding platform; Fatimah Al Abbad (Magic Pin, Saudi Arabia) developing minimally invasive orthopaedic devices; and Nivine Hachem (Paltic, Rest of MENA) creating sustainable building materials from recycled plastics. The TiE Women Global Finals winner will receive an equity-free cash grant of $50,000, further boosting their business growth and impact. Open to female-founded or co-founded startups less than seven years old (registered after January 1, 2018), the competition seeks to boost ventures with demonstrated traction. Participating founders must hold at least 33% equity. Application details and submission can be accessed through the official TiE Women website. About TiE: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. There are currently over 20,000 members, including over 3,500 charter members in 64 chapters across 14 countries. TiE's mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, education, incubating, and funding. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE's focus is on generating and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. About TiE Dubai: The Dubai Chapter of TiE was established in 2003 to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship in the Middle East region and was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the TECOM Free Zone Authority, and TiE Dubai enjoys the support of TECOM and Dubai Internet City since its inception in January 2003. Through this strategic partnership with TECOM, Dubai Internet City and the in5 Innovation Centers, we have played a pioneering role in the UAE Entrepreneurial ecosystem for over 22 years. TiE Dubai through its diverse charter members provides assistance and guidance to a community of more than 3,000 budding entrepreneurs through events and programs that span across Networking, Mentoring, Funding, Incubation and Education. For more information, visit
Morocco World
12-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
GITEX Africa: African Startups Battle for $110,000 Prize Pool at Supernova Challenge 2.0
Africa's largest early-stage startup competition is back and bigger than ever. The Supernova Challenge 2.0 returns to GITEX Africa 2025 in Morocco with a massive $110,000 equity-free prize pool up-for-grabs. Inspired by Dubai's Expand North Star, the world's largest startup event, the prestigious Supernova Challenge 2.0 competition offers African entrepreneurs a rare spotlight on the global stage. Last year's winner, the startup Lupiya, proved exactly why these platforms matter. The company has revolutionized African banking with its AI-driven neobank, tackling head-on the continent's persistent challenges in financial accessibility. After winning last year's GITEX Africa Supernova Challenge and using the prize money to refine their AI model, Lupiya secured $500,000 and were looking to close another $3M from another investore and is on a trajectory to raise $10 Million to meet growing demantes, as was said in a breakfast briefing at GITEX Global in October 2024. 'This is your chance to shine on the global stage,' say the organizers. 'We're looking for visionaries ready to take their ventures to the next level.' Unlike previous editions, the 2025 competition eliminates sector-specific categories. Instead, the selection committee will evaluate startups across various metrics, ensuring diverse sector representation. Special mention and sponsored awards will maintain specific criteria, accessible through the Exhibitor Portal. The stakes couldn't be higher. The first-place winner walks away with $50,000, while second and third place secure $30,000 and $20,000 respectively. Additional special awards include $5,000 each for Women in Tech and Young CEO Award winners, 'Sponsored by Orange.' Regional recognition comes through the GITEX Asia, Europe, and Nigeria Awards, plus the Expand North Star Dubai Award sponsored by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Judges will scrutinize applicants on several fronts. Innovation stands first, followed by market opportunity assessment covering size, competition, and scalability potential. Business models will face rigorous examination, particularly revenue strategies, pricing approaches, and target customer identification. Traction matters too — judges want to see evidence of revenue, existing customers, or investor backing. Team composition plays a crucial role, as does the quality of the pitch itself, from storytelling clarity to visual presentation. How it works The competition structure is intense but straightforward. From all applicants, 40 startups will advance to the semi-finals, pitching in-person on Day 1. Only the top 10 scorers move to the finals on Day 3, where winners emerge. For special mention awards, 10 startups per category will pitch on Day 2. Time management is critical for competitors. Semi-finalists get just three minutes to pitch, plus two minutes for questions. In the finals, the pitch window shrinks to two minutes, though question time extends to four minutes. Having said that, only one team member can deliver the pitch onstage, adding pressure to select the most compelling speaker. The judging panels comprise sector experts with diverse backgrounds spanning investment, commercial operations, and entrepreneurship. For African startups seeking breakthrough opportunities, the Supernova Challenge represents more than just prize money – it's a launchpad to global recognition, investor connections, and market expansion. As applications closed on March 30, the continent's selected brightest innovators are already perfecting their pitches' presentation for what promises to be Africa's most competitive startup showdown yet. One thing's for sure – in just a few short days these startups are expected to bring innovative and fresh ideas to the GITEX Africa 2025 arena, and Africa is ready. Tags: gitexGITEX Africa 2025Supernova Challenge
