Looking for the top startup events in the Middle East for 2026? This guide highlights the region’s most notable startup conferences, technology exhibitions, founder gatherings, fintech summits, investment forums, and specialized industry events.
The Middle East has become a major destination for global technology conferences, startup gatherings, and investment forums. Across cities including Dubai, Riyadh, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Sharjah, Muscat, and Tel Aviv, these events bring founders together with investors, corporations, policymakers, and startup ecosystem organizations.
From international technology flagships to founder-focused conferences and sector-specific exhibitions, these events connect startups with investors, corporations, policymakers, ecosystem organizations, and potential customers. They also provide a useful overview of the sectors, markets, and cities shaping the Middle East’s startup economy.
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Top Startup Events in the Middle East for 2026
| Event | Month | Date / next edition | City | Country | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RiseUp Summit | Feb | Feb. 5–7, 2026 | Cairo | Egypt | Entrepreneurship |
| Investopia | Mar | Mar. 31–Apr. 2, 2026 | Abu Dhabi | UAE | Investment |
| LEAP and DeepFest | Aug | Aug. 31–Sept. 3, 2026 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | Tech / AI |
| AIM Congress | Sep | Sept. 7–9, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Investment |
| Money20/20 Middle East | Sep | Sept. 14–16, 2026 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | Fintech |
| GISEC Global | Sep | Sept. 16–18, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Cybersecurity |
| Global Entrepreneurship Congress | Sep | Sept. 21–24, 2026 | Doha | Qatar | Entrepreneurship |
| Seamless Middle East | Sep | Sept. 22–24, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Fintech |
| Future Investment Initiative | Oct | Oct. 26–29, 2026 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | Investment |
| Dubai AI Festival | Oct | Oct. 26–27, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | AI |
| Dubai FinTech Summit | Nov | Nov. 2–3, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Fintech |
| Enterprise AI Expo | Nov | Nov. 25–26, 2026 | Muscat | Oman | AI |
| Black Hat Middle East and Africa | Dec | Dec. 1–3, 2026 | Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | Cybersecurity |
| Blockchain Life | Dec | Dec. 1–2, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Web3 / Blockchain |
| GITEX Global | Dec | Dec. 7–11, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Tech / AI |
| Abu Dhabi Finance Week | Dec | Dec. 7–10, 2026 | Abu Dhabi | UAE | Fintech |
| Expand North Star | Dec | Dec. 8–10, 2026 | Dubai | UAE | Startup / VC |
| Cybertech Global Tel Aviv | Jan | Next: Jan. 25–27, 2027 | Tel Aviv | Israel | Cybersecurity |
| Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival | Jan | Next: Jan. 30–31, 2027 | Sharjah | UAE | Entrepreneurship |
| Web Summit Qatar | Jan | Next: Jan. 31–Feb. 3, 2027 | Doha | Qatar | Startup / VC |
| Step Dubai | Feb | Next: Feb. 3–4, 2027 | Dubai | UAE | Startup / VC |
| TOKEN2049 Dubai | — | Postponed to Apr. 21–22, 2027 | Dubai | UAE | Web3 / Blockchain |
Global Technology and Startup Flagships
GITEX Global in Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: December 7–11, 2026
GITEX Global is one of the world’s largest technology and AI exhibitions, bringing technology companies, startups, investors, governments, and enterprise buyers to Dubai. The 2026 edition opens with the GITEX Scale Summit at Dubai World Trade Centre on December 7, followed by the main exhibition at Expo City Dubai from December 8 to 11. Its coverage spans AI infrastructure, quantum technology, cybersecurity, robotics, mobility, advanced manufacturing, connectivity, and energy.
Expand North Star in Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: December 8–10, 2026
Expand North Star is GITEX’s dedicated startup and investment event and one of the region’s most prominent gatherings for founders, scaleups, and venture capital. The event connects startups with venture capital firms, sovereign funds, family offices, corporations, government programs, and international market-entry partners. Its program includes startup exhibitions, investor matchmaking, pitch competitions, founder education, and dedicated tracks for emerging technology sectors.
LEAP and DeepFest in Riyadh
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: August 31–September 3, 2026
LEAP is Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology gathering and one of the Middle East’s largest meeting points for technology companies, startups, investors, corporations, and government leaders. Its program covers entrepreneurship, digital transformation, emerging technology, investment, and the continued development of Saudi Arabia’s technology economy.
DeepFest runs alongside LEAP as its dedicated AI gathering, bringing together technology developers, startups, researchers, policymakers, investors, and companies applying AI across different industries.
Web Summit Qatar in Doha
Location: Doha, Qatar
Next edition: January 31–February 3, 2027
Web Summit Qatar brings the international Web Summit platform to Doha, connecting regional founders with global investors, technology companies, media organizations, and ecosystem leaders. Its format combines conference stages, startup exhibitions, investor meetings, media opportunities, and networking across technology and entrepreneurship. The 2026 edition attracted more than 30,000 attendees, 1,637 startups, and 931 investors from 127 countries. The event returns to Doha from January 31 to February 3, 2027.
Entrepreneurship and Ecosystem Events
Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Doha
Location: Doha, Qatar
Date: September 21–24, 2026
The Global Entrepreneurship Congress brings founders, investors, policymakers, researchers, financial institutions, and startup ecosystem organizations from around the world together in Doha. The four-day event covers entrepreneurship policy, startup growth, investment, sector-specific innovation, and international ecosystem collaboration. More than 3,000 participants representing approximately 200 countries and organizations are expected to attend.
RiseUp Summit in Cairo
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Date: February 5–7, 2026
RiseUp Summit is one of the Middle East and Africa’s most established entrepreneurship gatherings. The event connects founders with investors, corporate partners, technology companies, mentors, and startup support organizations. Its programming spans startup funding, AI, business growth, technology, creative industries, and international market access. The 2026 edition brought together more than 20,000 entrepreneurs alongside hundreds of speakers, startups, and investors.
Step Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next edition: February 3–4, 2027
Step Dubai is one of the region’s longest-running startup and technology conferences. Its festival format brings together founders, venture capital firms, accelerators, technology companies, and creative-industry professionals through startup exhibitions, investor meetings, pitch competitions, talks, and workshops. The next edition takes place at Dubai Internet City on February 3–4, 2027.
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival
Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Next edition: January 30–31, 2027
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival is a major founder-focused gathering organized by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center. The event combines startup showcases, investor meetings, pitch activities, workshops, masterclasses, and international participation. Its programming is especially accessible to early-stage founders and entrepreneurs building companies in Sharjah and the wider UAE. Its tenth edition takes place on January 30–31, 2027.
Fintech and Financial Services Events
Money20/20 Middle East in Riyadh
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: September 14–16, 2026
Money20/20 Middle East is a major regional platform for banking, payments, fintech, digital assets, and financial infrastructure. Banks, regulators, technology companies, startups, investors, and corporate buyers use the event to explore new products and develop commercial partnerships. Its programming includes startup participation, investor engagement, exhibitions, and conference content across the financial technology ecosystem.
Abu Dhabi Finance Week and Fintech Abu Dhabi
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Date: December 7–10, 2026
Abu Dhabi Finance Week is one of the region’s largest gatherings for investment, asset management, capital markets, fintech, and financial policy. Its wider program includes Fintech Abu Dhabi, connecting financial institutions, technology companies, regulators, investors, and entrepreneurs. The 2025 edition attracted 35,000 participants and organizations representing more than US$62 trillion in assets.
Dubai FinTech Summit
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: November 2–3, 2026
Dubai FinTech Summit brings together financial institutions, fintech startups, regulators, investors, policymakers, and technology providers. Its agenda covers banking, payments, wealth management, digital assets, financial regulation, tokenization, embedded finance, and financial infrastructure. The summit is organized by the Dubai International Financial Centre and forms part of Dubai Future Finance Week.
Seamless Middle East in Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: September 22–24, 2026
Seamless Middle East covers fintech, payments, banking, digital commerce, retail, marketing, and delivery technology. The event connects startups and technology providers with banks, merchants, retailers, financial institutions, investors, and corporate buyers. Its fintech program covers the full payments value chain, while its digital commerce program spans e-commerce, marketing, retail technology, and fulfillment.
Investment and Economic Forums
Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: October 26–29, 2026
The Future Investment Initiative is a high-level global investment conference attended by institutional investors, government leaders, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and technology innovators. The tenth edition examines capital, AI, productivity, climate, demographics, healthcare, and other forces shaping long-term economic growth. Its focus is most closely aligned with later-stage companies and organizations seeking relationships with sovereign, institutional, and corporate capital.
AIM Congress in Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: September 7–9, 2026
AIM Congress is a global investment platform connecting governments, financial institutions, corporations, investors, entrepreneurs, and technology companies. Its program addresses foreign direct investment, digital transformation, economic diversification, emerging markets, international partnerships, and sustainable growth. The event also includes an international exhibition, workshops, roundtables, investment destination presentations, and pitch competitions.
Investopia in Abu Dhabi
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Date: To be confirmed
Investopia is a UAE government-backed investment platform focused on new economic sectors and emerging opportunities. It connects investors, business leaders, government representatives, entrepreneurs, and innovators through its flagship UAE gathering and a wider series of international events. Its programming covers global capital flows, entrepreneurship, AI, fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, space technology, and economic partnerships. The official event page currently lists the 2026 flagship date as to be confirmed.
AI, Cybersecurity and Enterprise Technology Events
Dubai AI Festival
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: April 7–8, 2026
Dubai AI Festival brings AI companies, startups, investors, policymakers, enterprises, and researchers together at Dubai World Trade Centre. Held as part of Dubai AI Week, it focuses on AI commercialization, infrastructure, investment, governance, enterprise adoption, and international partnerships. The wider week also includes events for government leaders, researchers, developers, and emerging AI talent.
Enterprise AI Expo in Muscat
Location: Muscat, Oman
Date: November 25–26, 2026
Enterprise AI Expo focuses on the adoption of enterprise-grade AI across business and government. The event brings technology companies, startups, corporate decision-makers, policymakers, and AI specialists together to explore data infrastructure, cloud systems, governance, automation, hybrid AI architectures, and enterprise applications. The organizer’s current headline listing gives November 25–26 at the Sheraton Muscat, although an older May date remains elsewhere on the site.
GISEC Global in Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: September 16–18, 2026
GISEC Global is one of the Middle East and Africa’s largest cybersecurity events. It brings cybersecurity companies, startups, government agencies, CISOs, investors, ethical hackers, and technical professionals together through exhibitions, conference stages, live demonstrations, competitions, and business meetings. Its startup platform gives founders opportunities to engage with government and enterprise buyers.
Black Hat Middle East and Africa in Riyadh
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Date: December 1–3, 2026
Black Hat Middle East and Africa brings the international information-security community to Riyadh. Its program combines executive summits, technical briefings, security training, startup participation, investor meetings, ethical-hacking demonstrations, and Capture the Flag competitions. The audience spans cybersecurity specialists, government organizations, enterprise buyers, security companies, and investors.
Cybertech Global Tel Aviv
Location: Tel Aviv Area, Israel
Next edition: January 25–27, 2027
Cybertech Global Tel Aviv connects cybersecurity companies, startups, investors, researchers, government officials, academics, and enterprise security leaders. The event combines conference programming, an extensive exhibition, startup participation, international delegations, and business meetings. Its next edition takes place at Expo Tel Aviv from January 25–27, 2027.
Blockchain, Web3 and Digital Asset Events
TOKEN2049 Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next edition: April 21–22, 2027
TOKEN2049 Dubai is one of the world’s largest crypto and digital asset gatherings, bringing together founders, investors, exchanges, infrastructure providers, developers, and industry leaders. The event’s 2026 edition was postponed because of regional uncertainty affecting safety, travel, and logistics. The next Dubai edition is scheduled for April 21–22, 2027. Existing 2026 tickets remain valid for the rescheduled event.
Blockchain Life in Dubai
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: December 1–2, 2026
Blockchain Life is an international gathering for blockchain, cryptocurrencies, Web3, digital assets, and mining. It brings founders, investors, developers, funds, exchanges, traders, and technology providers to Dubai for conference sessions, exhibitions, business meetings, and startup networking. The main event is accompanied by a wider program of blockchain and digital asset side events across the city.
Who Should Attend These Events?
Startup founders can use these events to meet investors, identify potential customers, explore market-entry programs, and develop relationships with corporate and government partners. Many offer startup exhibitions, investor matchmaking, pitch competitions, and founder packages.
Investors and venture capital firms attend to discover regional deal flow, meet international founders, assess emerging sectors, and understand how startup markets across the Middle East are developing.
Corporations can use the events for technology scouting, innovation partnerships, procurement, market research, and direct engagement with startups. Specialized fintech, AI, cybersecurity, and Web3 gatherings also provide access to sector-specific buyers and decision-makers.
Startup ecosystem organizations and government agencies can promote their ecosystems, organize delegations, attract founders and investors, and build partnerships with other cities, countries, accelerators, and innovation organizations.
Whether you are a founder pursuing funding, an investor looking for deal flow, or an ecosystem builder mapping the region’s innovation landscape, these events provide access to technology companies, capital, policymakers, and international partners.
If you’re a startup event looking to partner with us for your next event, contact us for speaking engagements and promotional activities.
If you’re a startup event looking to generate leads for your next event, check out advertising opportunities with StartupBlink.
