Dubai will be the epicentre of the innovation economy driven by innovators and startups in October when GITEX Future Stars the region’s premier technology and startup events, get underway from 6th-10th October 2019.
This year Abu Dhabi will leverage GITEX Future Stars to become a regional innovation hub
GITEX Future Stars, the leading event for tomorrow’s brightest technological minds, will feature over 750 local and international startups and corporate accelerators from more than 80 countries, and more than 1,500 investors and corporate buyers, as well as an all-new presence from countries including Austria, Brazil and Italy.
GITEX Future Stars will see The Government of Abu Dhabi looking to make its mark on the event, with the Emirate’s hottest innovation prospects, including Hub71, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), StartAD, Krypto Labs, Department of Health Abu Dhabi, all aiming to put Abu Dhabi on the map as an innovation hub of the future. Abu Dhabi has pledged AED 535 million into Hub71, a new initiative supported by Mubadala Investment Company, Microsoft, SoftBank Vision Fund and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), to attract startups to set up shop in the UAE capital.
Transforming Saudi Arabia: From A Kingdom of Oil To Kingdom of Startups
Winds of change are blowing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will host its Saudi Innovation Day at GITEX Future Stars. The country’s economic transformation will be accelerated by startups as the country moves from a commodity-based to a knowledge-based economy, which is in line with its economic Vision 2030. Startups and SMEs will undoubtedly bring Saudi Arabia a step closer to achieve its 2030 objectives.
GITEX will host a panel discussion highlighting the country’s key startup ecosystem builders and their initiatives to provide access to market, government entities, capital, talent and networks in order to create an impactful Saudi startup ecosystem. A panel discussion on the Kingdom’s startup prospects will feature Dr. Ahmed Al Theneyan, Deputy Minister, Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Nawaf Al Sahhaf, CEO, BADIR, Dr. Nabeel Koshak of Saudi Venture Capital Company and Othman Dahash Aldahash, Vice President, Corporate Development, STC Group.
NXG: the next generation
GITEX Future Stars will spotlight the transformative impact of generation Z with the introduction of its NXG Stage. The latest generation of digital natives, Gen Z are at the forefront of the digital economy, with a buying power of $44 billion. With 60% of the MENA region population under the age of 25, GITEX will provide a platform for the future’s technology leaders, developers and consumers on the dedicated Gen Z stage.
The GITEX Future Stars NXG programme is set to feature content from some of the most exciting and inspiring global members and influencers of Gen Z, including 22-year-old technology architect Iddris Sandu, who has already coded for Google, Instagram and Snapchat, collaborated with hip-hop star Kanye West and received honours from former United States President Barack Obama.
Held under the theme ‘Synergising the Mind and Technology Economy’, GITEX Future Stars will feature over 750 international startups and more than 1,500 investors and corporate buyers.
