GITEX GLOBAL 2024: Two mega venues, one massive tech event

The world’s largest technology exhibition, GITEX GLOBAL, returns for its 44th edition, bringing together tech innovators, start-ups, and investors from across the globe

by GULF BUSINESS

September 16, 2024

Image credit: GITEX GLOBAL

This October, GITEX GLOBAL 2024 will celebrate its 44th edition, cementing its status as one of the world’s most iconic large-scale tech exhibitions.

Taking place from October 14th to 18th, the event will span across two mega venues in the UAE — the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour. Offering a vast exhibition space spread over 44+ halls, the show will spotlight tech giants and emerging start-ups across diverse fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, mobility, sustainable tech, and more.

The weeklong event, one of the most influential in the global tech calendar, is expected to attract thousands of visitors, offering a glimpse into the future of technology through real-world applications and cutting-edge innovations.

Nine co-located shows

GITEX GLOBAL 2024 will feature nine co-located shows, each exploring various facets of technology:

GITEX GLOBAL
AI Everything
GITEX Impact
Future Urbanism
GLOBAL DevSlam
Expand North Star
Fintech Surge
Future Blockchain Summit
Marketing Mania

Innovation, collaboration, and discovery remain at the heart of these events, providing attendees with opportunities to explore advancements in AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable technologies, among others.

AI is redefining digital finance, unlocking new innovations and disruptions—from automated wealth management to advanced fraud detection. But how do we navigate the challenges of regulation, data privacy, and ethical AI? pic.twitter.com/6Pqo63J3Js

— GITEX GLOBAL (@GITEX_GLOBAL) September 14, 2024

GITEX Editions

Aligning with Dubai’s ambition to nurture 30 start-up unicorns by 2030, GITEX Global 2024 introduces GITEX Editions, a unique platform aimed at accelerating high-growth companies through global governance and strategy-building efforts. The early speaker line-up features eight start-ups from eight countries, including some backed by the prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC).

One notable participant is Fabrizio del Maffeo, co-founder and CEO of Axelera AI, a company dubbed the ‘European NVIDIA.’ Backed by Samsung and EIC, Axelera AI is making its debut in the Middle East at GITEX GLOBAL, highlighting its edge computing and AI infrastructure innovations.

The event will also welcome Dr Alexander Zhavoronkov, founder and CEO of InSilico Medicine, a biotech company focused on AI-driven drug discovery. Dr Mazen Rizk, founder and CEO of Infinite Roots, will present insights on sustainable alternative proteins, while Dr Joseph Fitzsimons of Horizon Quantum Computing will showcase Singapore’s quantum tech advancements.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity will take centre stage at GITEX Global 2024, featuring live AI-driven hacks, CISO debates, and discussions on corporate board engagement strategies for cybersecurity adoption. Chenxi Wang, managing general partner of Rain Capital, will be sharing insights into global cybersecurity investments, while Ekaterina Serban, VP of Privacy and Information Security at Bosch, will address the challenges facing the industry.

Wang, recognised by Fortune magazine as a top international cyber investor, will be part of a panel discussing the growing interest in advanced security solutions and the rise in mergers and acquisitions in the cybersecurity space.

New industry experts

For the first time, Michael Spranger, president of Sony AI INC, will address GITEX delegates, offering insights into the latest AI projects at Sony. Chris Duffey, futurist and head of GenStudio at Adobe, will share his expertise in generative AI, a field where Adobe has been a key player in enabling creators to leverage AI.

Additionally, Isabell Gradert, VP of Central Research and Technology at Airbus, will make her regional debut, bringing her vision of the future of aerospace innovation to the GITEX stage.

Expand North Star 2024

Running from October 13 to October 16, Expand North Star 2024 is set to bring over 2,000 start-ups to Dubai Harbour, marking its 9th edition.

For the first time, the event will see its largest participation from Europe, with more than 400 start-ups from the continent, including 50 from the UK—double the number from 2023.

Germany will lead the European charge with 40 debuting start-ups, followed by Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Austria, and Portugal.

The UK delegation, hailed as one of the world’s top start-up ecosystems, will feature fast-growing companies from sectors such as fintech, AI, sustainability, and edtech.

Global collaboration

Hosted by Dubai Chambers and organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, Expand North Star is a vital part of GITEX GLOBAL, offering start-ups a platform to showcase their innovations in sectors such as agritech, AI, climate tech, fintech, health tech, and more.

The event provides an unmatched opportunity for European and UK start-ups to explore expansion opportunities in the UAE and beyond, particularly into emerging markets in Asia and Africa.

Investment opportunities abound

European start-ups have seen a surge in funding, with Q2 2024 alone seeing a 31 per cent increase, reaching nearly $16bn. Expand North Star 2024 will attract over 1,200 global investors and venture capitalists, with 30 per cent of them hailing from Europe.

Notable attendees include SpeedInvest, one of Europe’s most active early-stage investors, and H Tree Capital, a deep-tech biotech fund from the UK.

Other prominent investors include Startup Wise Guys from Estonia, Prediction Capital from Switzerland, and M4 Ventures from Portugal. These VCs and accelerators will participate in high-profile panel discussions, networking events, and the Supernova Challenge—a pitch competition offering a $200,000 cash prize.

Unicorns

This year’s Expand North Star will also feature more than 65 global unicorns, including Volocopter, the German urban air mobility pioneer.

BitPanda, an Austrian unicorn with a valuation exceeding $4bn, will also take part, as will Climeworks, a Swiss unicorn backed by Microsoft’s Climate Fund.

These companies are set to highlight the transformative potential of tech across sectors, from sustainable urban mobility to AI-driven finance and environmental technologies.

With a focus on innovation, collaboration, and investment, GITEX GLOBAL 2024 and Expand North Star are poised to drive significant advancements across multiple industries.

From AI and cybersecurity to biotech and sustainable tech, this year’s event will showcase the future of technology on a global stage, further positioning Dubai as a hub for tech innovation and start-up success.

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