The Middle East has rapidly emerged as a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, hosting a range of events that cater to startups, investors, and tech enthusiasts. These gatherings not only showcase groundbreaking technologies but also foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment opportunities. In this article, we delve into the top startup events in the Middle East for 2025, highlighting their significance and what participants can anticipate. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive special discounts for our community on some of these select events.
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Top 10 Startup Events in the Middle East for 2025
LEAP 2025 Conference
Date: February 9–12, 2025
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why Attend: LEAP is recognized as one of the world’s most attended tech events, attracting over 170,000 visitors and featuring more than 1,000 expert speakers. The conference offers 17 content tracks, including the Startup Stage and Investor Stage, providing startups with a significant platform to connect with investors and industry leaders. Attendees can explore the latest technological advancements and gain insights from global tech innovators.
Saudi StartUp Expo 2025
Date: April 23–24, 2025
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why Attend: The Saudi StartUp Expo is a premier B2B event uniting innovative startups with top solution providers, investors, and accelerators, fostering a dynamic startup ecosystem recognized regionally and internationally. Attendees can expect a dynamic environment featuring over 1,000 participants, including more than 200 startups, 100 investors, 50 speakers, and 50 solution providers. The expo offers various activities such as startup solution showcases, pitch competitions, hackathons, and demo days, providing ample opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration.
GITEX Global 2025
Date: October 13–17, 2025
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: As one of the world’s largest tech shows, GITEX Global brings together technology companies, startups, speakers, and attendees from over 170 countries. It’s a significant platform for startups to showcase their innovations and connect with global tech industry professionals.
Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress 2025
Date: April 7–9, 2025
Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Why Attend: AIM Congress is a leading investment platform in the Middle East, aiming to drive positive change by creating investment opportunities, fostering solidarity, and strengthening economic relations among nations. The 14th edition will feature over 25,000 participants from 180 countries, providing a unique opportunity for startups to connect with global investors and industry leaders.
Global AI Summit (GAIN)
Date: September 10–12, 2024
Location: King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why Attend The summit covers key topics in the field of AI, such as innovation and industry trends, shaping a brighter future for AI, and cultivating an enabling environment for human talent. Sub-themes delve into various aspects, including local and global AI applications, the integral relationship between humans and AI, business leadership in AI, the correlation between data and applications, generative AI, AI ethics, AI processing and infrastructure, and the role of AI in smart cities.
Step Conference 2025
Date: February 19–20, 2025
Location: Dubai Internet City, Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: Known as the heartbeat of tech in MENA, Step Conference features multiple tracks, over 500 speakers and VCs, more than 400 startups showcasing, and 8,000 attendees over two days. It’s an ideal event for startups to gain visibility, learn from industry experts, and connect with potential investors.
Dubai FinTech Summit 2025
Date: May 12–13, 2025
Location: Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: An annual event showcasing the future of financial technology and innovation in the MENA region, the summit gathers global leaders, innovators, and startups from various industries. Attendees can explore emerging trends, regulatory updates, and investment opportunities in the fintech landscape.
Seamless Middle East 2025
Date: May 20–22, 2025
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: As a leading event for fintech, banking, and payments, Seamless Middle East brings together top banks, financial institutions, fintech startups, and innovators. The event offers insights into the latest payment technologies, digital banking solutions, and e-commerce innovations, making it a must-attend for those looking to stay ahead in the financial services industry.
Expand North Star 2025
Date: October 13–16, 2025
Location: Dubai Harbour, Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: Formerly known as GITEX Future Stars, Expand North Star is an annual event that showcases startups to tech industry professionals worldwide. The event features multiple conferences across nine stages and organizes a pitch competition with a substantial cash prize, providing startups with exposure and funding opportunities.
DeepFest 2025
Date: February 9–12, 2025
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why Attend: Co-located with LEAP, DeepFest is the premier meeting place for the global Artificial Intelligence ecosystem, bringing together thought-leaders, change-makers, big tech, data scientists, innovators, and startups. It’s an excellent opportunity to delve into AI advancements and network with key players in the field.
FiNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2025
Date: February 10–11, 2025
Location: Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: This conference brings together tech startups, SMEs, investors, and financial institutions, focusing on topics like banking security, cash management, and fintech innovations. It’s an excellent platform for networking and knowledge sharing, offering insights into the latest trends and challenges in the financial technology sector.
Mobility Live ME 2025
Date: June 24–25, 2025
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: Focusing on the future of mobility, this event brings together startups, investors, and industry leaders to discuss innovations in transportation and smart cities. Attendees can explore advancements in autonomous vehicles, sustainable transport solutions, and urban mobility strategies.
Middle East Rail 2025
Date: June 24–25, 2025
Location: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Why Attend: As the region’s leading event for rail innovation, Middle East Rail provides a platform for startups in transportation technology to connect with industry leaders. The event covers topics such as rail infrastructure development, smart technologies, and investment opportunities in the rail sector.
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Why should you attend startup events in the Middle East?
Attending startup events in the Middle East offers numerous advantages for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals. These gatherings provide direct access to funding opportunities, as the region has seen a significant increase in investment from both local and international sources. Engaging in these events allows participants to network with industry leaders, fostering valuable relationships that can lead to collaborations and mentorship. Staying informed on market trends is another benefit, as attendees can gain insights into the latest developments in technology and business practices. Moreover, showcasing products or services at these events enhances a startup’s visibility, attracting potential customers, partners, and investors. Learning from the experiences of successful entrepreneurs provides practical insights and inspiration, offering lessons that can be applied to one’s own business endeavors. Engaging in these events is a strategic move for those looking to establish or expand their presence in the Middle East’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
