Expand North Star 2026

Expand North Star, under the slogan “The World’s Largest Startup and Investor Connector Event”, will take place from 8 to 10 December 2026 in Dubai (United Arab Emirates). The event is presented as a space for connection between startups, public bodies, corporations, and investors, with a focus on access to global capital and collaboration for business development.

The 2026 edition incorporates new areas and formats that expand its scale and reach. Among them is ENS Founders Academy, a three-day academy that connects founders with investors and unicorn CEOs through five specialised labs addressing different stages of a startup’s journey, from idea to exit.

Several thematic spaces are also included: Content Nation X, focused on startups, agencies, and creators linked to the development of AI-powered content; NS Play, focused on innovation in augmented and virtual reality hardware, smart health devices, and lifestyle tech; and DigiHealth-Biotech, dedicated to AI-based diagnostics, genomics, and next-generation therapies.

In the investment sphere, the 2026 edition introduces Supernova 0X, a global pitch competition structured by maturity stages (Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A), with independent evaluation by category and differentiated prizes. Also part of the programme is the ENS26 Backers Pitch session, in which investors themselves present deals they have already backed.

According to data from the 2025 edition, the event brought together 2,050 global startups, 1,300 investors, more than 400 speakers, and more than 5,340 meetings.