Dubai’s Expand North Star 2025: AI, Social Tech & Global Startups
▼ Summary
– Expand North Star is a four-day event running until 15 October, featuring 2,000 startups and over 1,200 investors with $1.1 trillion in assets under management.
– Social entrepreneurship was highlighted, with Ma’an awarding youth for innovative solutions to societal challenges and fostering social impact in the UAE.
– Sustainable AI infrastructure was discussed, including Skeleton Technologies’ graphene-based battery system to reduce energy waste in data centers.
– The event explored AI advancements beyond large language models, such as large quantitative models (LQMs) for sectors like energy and biopharma.
– Inclusive AI governance was emphasized, with calls for global collaboration and representation of emerging economies in tech policy.
The vibrant energy of Expand North Star 2025 continues to captivate Dubai Harbour, marking its third dynamic day as a cornerstone of GITEX GLOBAL. This tenth-anniversary gathering, running through October 15th, has successfully convened a remarkable assembly of 2,000 pioneering startups and over 1,200 investors. The collective assets under management represented here exceed a staggering $1.1 trillion, underscoring the event’s profound influence on the global technology landscape.
Social entrepreneurship took center stage, with a significant address from His Excellency Salem Ali Al Shami, Executive Director of Social Incubation & Contracting at the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an. During an engaging fireside chat, he detailed Ma’an’s crucial mission to nurture a fresh wave of social impact entrepreneurs throughout the UAE. Following his talk, he presented awards to competition winners Nesma Amin and Ameen Abo Diak, recognizing their innovative solutions to urgent societal issues. His Excellency Al Shami remarked that by uniting novel ideas, today’s social entrepreneurs are crafting the lasting community impact the nation aspires to achieve.
The conversation then shifted to the environmental footprint of artificial intelligence. A dedicated session examined sustainable hardware, where Taavi Madiberk, CEO of Skeleton Technologies, introduced a groundbreaking graphene-based battery system. This innovation specifically targets the massive energy waste in AI data centers, where nearly 40% of power is typically lost. His company’s ultracapacitor technology offers a more sustainable path, completely free of lithium, cobalt, and manganese, for powering next-generation AI infrastructure globally. Madiberk highlighted the Gulf region’s rapid adoption of renewables, stating that any technology firm dedicated to genuine innovation must have a presence there.
Looking beyond current AI trends, a session titled “Beyond LLMs” featured Jack Hidary, CEO of SandboxAQ. He explored the impending rise of large quantitative models (LQMs), which his $5.7 billion-valued company is leveraging to drive progress in sectors like energy, biopharma, and space. Hidary emphasized that the LQM era will be defined by the generation of new intellectual property, fundamentally transforming global industries through advanced scientific and economic modeling.
The critical need for inclusive global AI governance was powerfully addressed by Amandeep Singh Gill, the UN Under-Secretary-General and Envoy on Technology. He stressed that emerging economies must have a seat at the table in shaping AI policy. Advocating for a collaborative data commons, he urged tech founders, particularly from the Global South, to tackle systemic challenges directly. He encouraged them to focus on hard societal problems, such as boosting agricultural productivity and building climate change resilience, rather than pursuing easier, low-hanging fruit.
Strategic growth announcements in fintech and mobility also highlighted the day. The Mobility Fintech Group (MFG) revealed several key partnerships, including a $2 million investment from AHOY Technology to merge deep-tech expertise with MFG’s comprehensive platform. A strategic alliance with Sharia-compliant Mawarid Finance will create a unique credit facility for automotive rental and fleet SMEs. Furthermore, a partnership with Mazeed will integrate their AI-powered accounting suite to streamline financial management for mobility-sector businesses in the UAE.
The third day of Expand North Star powerfully reinforced its status as a premier global catalyst. From sustainable AI and inclusive governance to social impact and strategic partnerships, the event is actively shaping the future of the digital economy, sending transformative ideas from Dubai to the rest of the world.
(Source: Economy Middle East)
