GITEX GLOBAL<\/a>, the world\u2019s largest tech, AI and startup show. Together, the dual-blockbuster showcase converges 6,000-plus enterprise and startup exhibitors from more than 80 countries. This reaffirms Dubai\u2019s status as a global epicentre of tech collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe event is organised by inD, with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy as Digital Economy Partner. It cements the UAE\u2019s reputation as a global investment and entrepreneurship hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2025, the country attracted a record US$48.3 billion in foreign direct investment. Moreover, international companies accounted for 75 per cent of the 1,690 digital startups supported by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Canada, Italy and Thailand are among the countries showcasing their innovation capabilities. Major delegations will also arrive from Brazil, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine and Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further participation from Austria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Mauritania, Oman, the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia and the United States underscores the gathering\u2019s cross-continental reach. Together, they unite diverse technologies, entrepreneurial talent and investment opportunities from established and emerging startup ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Canada Startup Association will make its third consecutive appearance at the event. This year, it will also launch its first-ever national pavilion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delegates will showcase everything from AI-driven business tools and financial inclusion platforms to cardiovascular health applications and advanced photonics. On 7 December, the association is co-organising the first Canada Mobility Summit. It is working with Dubai\u2019s Roads and Transport Authority and the Canadian Business Council Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The summit will look at what the local transport sector has to offer Canadian tech firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDubai puts investors and potential customers in multiple international markets within reach of our Canadian founders,\u201d said Hammad Siddiqui, Executive Director of the Canada Startup Association. \u201cWe are about making those connections count, be it for a pilot project, a distribution partner or an investor relationship. Having our own pavilion is key to a stronger regional profile for Canadian innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, thirty Italian startups and SMEs will attend under the aegis of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). They focus on technologies that solve industrial and commercial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Examples include an AI platform that cuts energy use and CO2 emissions in industrial pumping by as much as 60 per cent. Others include technology that detects AI-cloned voices and sensors for autonomous robotics. The Italian Pavilion will facilitate meetings between investors and companies wanting to do business in the GCC and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe UAE is a strategic partner for us, especially in industrial AI, healthcare and sustainability,\u201d said Valerio Soldani, ITA\u2019s Trade Commissioner to the UAE and Oman. \u201cExpand North Star is where our startups can deal directly with the kind of businesses and investors who can open up new markets for their technology. We want our people to go home from Dubai with some hard-nosed opportunities for growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thailand\u2019s pavilion will house 12 companies. The Thai MarTech Association will demonstrate the nation\u2019s advances in AI, agri-tech, climate and marketing technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Headed by the Department of International Trade Promotion, the delegation is looking to make inroads in the UAE. It also plans to expand further across the Middle East and North Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe UAE is an important gateway for our technology companies into the Middle East and North Africa,\u201d said Pitichai Ratananaka, Executive Director of the Thai Trade Center Dubai. \u201cWith Expand North Star, we can put our innovators in front of international partners and foster some exchange of technology. The fact that the Thai MarTech Association is there speaks to the potential for our ecosystems to work together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The participation of these international delegations reflects the growing importance of cross-border collaboration in the global startup economy. Dubai provides a meeting point for companies from different markets seeking access to capital and international customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2026 programme begins with the GITEX Summit on 7 December at Dubai World Trade Centre. The startup exhibition follows at DEC from 8 to 10 December. GITEX GLOBAL continues until 11 December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The programme will also feature ScaleX, which connects high-growth companies with investors and corporate buyers. Alongside it, Supernova 0X will offer equity-free cash prizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New features for 2026 include GITEX Healthtech, which advances healthcare through AI and breakthrough science. Another addition is ENS Founders Academy, which enables entrepreneurs to learn from investors, operators and unicorn builders. Apollo100 will also promote business opportunities across 100 global destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information on Expand North Star, please visit: https:\/\/expandnorthstar.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Expand North Star 2026 will bring startup ecosystems from the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":108360,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10595,9605,26],"tags":[5567],"contributor":[9732],"class_list":["post-108359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gitex-2026","category-gitex","category-startups","tag-gitex","contributor-news-desk"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Expand-North-Star-2026.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Muhsin","author_link":"https:\/\/techxmedia.com\/en\/author\/muhsin\/"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t