Top 7 Tech Events in the UAE

The UAE has been steadily rising as a top destination for tech conferences and professionals alike.

With numerous international conferences in tech happening across the country, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth attending.

That’s why we've compiled a list of the top 7 tech events in the UAE that you simply cannot afford to miss.

Spanning across multiple tech fields, these events are some of the most-attended, highest-rated, and most anticipated in the industry.

Whether you're looking to further your career, expand your network, or simply stay ahead of the competition, these events are the perfect opportunity for you.

What's more impressive is that these tech events take place throughout the year, catering to a wide range of different industries and audiences.

Whether you're interested in SaaS or FinTech, there is an event out there for you.

These events bring together the best tech minds, showcase the latest innovations, and provide incredible opportunities for networking and learning. Get your calendars ready!

Top Tech Events in Dubai

1- GITEX Global

Date: 16 - 20 October, 2023

Location: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

Cost: Starting From $100

GITEX Global is where applied science and technology meet to pave the way for a better future.

Every year, GITEX brings together the brightest minds in the tech industry to share their ideas, knowledge, and insights.

Exhibitors and attendees can network with industry leaders, experts, customers, and partners worldwide while exploring the next big thing in technology.

The data from the last GITEX exhibition speaks volumes about its size, inclusivity, and reach.

There were over 170,000 attendees, of which 60% were local, with an average spend of 2,703 AED, and 40% international, with an average spend of 13,097 AED.

The event boasted over 5,000 exhibitors from 90+ countries worldwide, with top exhibiting countries including the UAE, China, UK, and USA.

The exhibition has attendees from 90+ participant countries, underscoring its global appeal and scope. It also has 24 conference streams, 1,400+ speakers, and 800+ hours of keynotes, talks, and trade shows.

GITEX 2022 was incredibly successful last year. An independent research company called GRS rated it the best large-scale exhibition of any industry.

2- Expand North Star

Date: 15 - 18 October, 2023

Location: Dubai Harbour

Cost: Free with Expand North Star+ Pass

The world's largest event for startups and investors is set to take place in Dubai Harbour from October 15-18, 2023, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

The impact of North Star events has been tremendous, with more than 120 startups setting up offices in the UAE following their participation in the event in 2022.

Expand North Star 2023 builds upon the resounding success of last year's North Star 2022, which was completely sold out.

The event will bring together founders, VCs, tech leaders, and ecosystem enablers from over 100 countries, who will participate in four intensive days of action.

As a visitor, you can gain entry to four events: Expand North Star, FinTech Surge, Future Blockchain Summit, and Marketing Mania, by obtaining a Visitor Pass+.

Although the usual ticket price is $30, you can now avail an early bird discount and register for free by clicking on this link.

With over 1,400 global startup exhibitors, 1,000 potential investors, and 250 speakers, Expand North Star 2023 is the ultimate platform for startups to connect with investors and raise funds for their ventures.

The event boasts eight stages that will host discussions on industry trends, debates, and informative sessions. A flash storm of generative AI startups is anticipated to be a key topic of discussion at the event.

In addition, Expand North Star 2023 will provide unprecedented content programs, with 70+ unicorn founders expected to grace the stage and offer their insights. The event will allow participating startups to showcase their solutions to a global audience.

The event also produced outstanding results, with over 100 North Star startups successfully raising funds from investors they had met at the event. The event generated a lot of excitement with pitches, challenges, and competitions, leading to 20 startups winning USD 2m in cash prizes.

3- Dubai FinTech Summit

Date: 6- 7 May, 2024

Location: Madinat Jumeirah

Cost: Starting from $599

The first edition of the summit attracted over 5,300 visitors from 92 countries, making it a truly global event. The second edition is set to take place on May 6-7, 2024, and is expected to overshadow the first!

The previous summit saw over 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed by global financial leaders, highlighting Dubai's position as a major FinTech hub.

FinTech is definitely a buzzword in the UAE, and it's no surprise given the MENA region's booming FinTech startup and venture capital landscape.

As per data by dealroom.co, over 800 FinTech startups are worth $15.5 billion in the MENA region. Of these, Dubai alone is home to over 20% of the world's FinTech businesses, according to a report by Mordor Intelligence.

Another exciting development from the FinTech scene in the UAE is that Ripple and Coinbase, two FinTech giants, have announced plans for regional hubs in the country.

With 20% of its customers being MENA-based, this move is expected to further enhance the FinTech ecosystem in the UAE.

4- Seamless Middle East

Date: 14 - 15 May, 2024

Location: Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)

Cost: Free

Seamless Middle East is an annual event that brings together industry leaders from various sectors, including banks, exchange houses, insurance companies, government, and tech startups.

This exhibition is well suited for industry players to discover and collaborate on the latest technology and services.

The event attracts a significant number of guests, with a total of 1,136 attendees recorded at its most recent occurrence. Of this number, 1,002 exhibitors and sponsors participated in the exhibition, showcasing their products and services to attendees from diverse professional backgrounds.

Regarding seniority, the event attracts top executives and decision-makers, with 48% of the attendees occupying C-Suite positions. In comparison, 28% held VP and Director positions. Attendee job function statistics indicate that 38% were Founders and Management members, 33% were engaged in Professional roles, and 12% were Sales and Marketing professionals.

The event provides a unique opportunity to discover the latest technologies, build productive relationships, and explore upcoming market trends.

Additionally, it offers workshops and sessions where attendees can learn from industry thought leaders, share insights and build upon their existing knowledge and skills.

Whether you represent a startup, small business, or large corporation, the exhibition offers different packages that cater to each organization's preferences and budget.

5- Techspo Dubai

Date: 10 - 11 October, 2023

Location: Hyatt Regency Dubai Hotel in Dubai

Cost: Starting from $17

This event is dedicated to bringing together leading developers, innovators, brand owners, advertisers, technology providers, designers, and evangelists worldwide to showcase their cutting-edge products and services.

One of the highlights of TECHSPO Dubai is the DigiMarCon Middle East Digital Marketing, Media, and Advertising Conference, an exclusive paid event.

Attendees can expect to learn about the latest trends and developments in the tech industry from leading experts.

The conference features a range of informative and insightful sessions covering topics such as technology, innovation, Internet, Mobile, AdTech, MarTech & SaaS Technology.

Moreover, TECHSPO Dubai offers a unique platform for established and emerging brands to showcase their latest products and services through interactive exhibits and displays.

This allows brands to connect with potential customers, generate leads, and gather valuable market insights.

Top Tech Events in Abu Dhabi

6- Abu Dhabi Finance Week

Date: 27 - 30 November, 2023

Location: Abu Dhabi

Cost: Starting from $50

Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) is one of the most influential finance, investment, and economic events in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA).

It has gained significant success since its inception in 2022, attracting over 8,000 visitors from more than 100 countries worldwide.

Held under the theme "Investing in the Transition Era," the ADFW'23 event will continue to build on its previous success and explore the economic, technological, and sustainability related opportunities and challenges that affect the global economic landscape.

ADFW 22 consisted of 31 events, over 100 sessions, 300+ speakers, 55+ partners, and more than 40 announcements.

The event has solidified its status as a flagship initiative in the region, focusing on FinTech innovation, following its success in hosting FinTech Abu Dhabi since 2017.

ADFW 23 will bring together leadership from the global financial industry to delve deeper into the theme of investing in the transition era.

The event will feature high-profile speakers and panelists sharing their insights on the evolving financial landscape and provide an opportunity for investors, policymakers, and FinTech professionals to engage in discussions and explore new ideas and investment opportunities.

Top Tech Events in Sharjah

7- Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival

Date: TBC

Location: Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park

Cost: TBC

The Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) is an initiative that was launched in January 2016 with the support of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi.

The objective of this initiative is to aid and foster the growth of tech-enabled ventures that are in their early stages. Sheraa has rapidly gained popularity and has hosted more than 13,000 attendees with over 300 local and international speakers.

Additionally, it has allowed over 300 startups to showcase themselves and their products to potential investors and customers.

Sheraa has established valuable partnerships with industry giants such as TikTok, Beeah, Invest in Sharjah, and Careem, amongst many others.

Through these partnerships, Sheraa has been able to expand its reach and impact in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.