From 14 - 18 October 2024, 15 EIC-backed companies showcased their tech innovations at GITEX Global 2024, in Dubai, UAE. As the premier tech event in the Middle East, GITEX GLOBAL gathered key industry leaders from the Middle East region and across the globe, providing the EIC cohort of companies with a great platform for business opportunities.
This 44th edition of GITEX GLOBAL, themed “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy”, gathered more than 6,500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors across 180 countries, marking the highest-ever level of international participation.
In the months leading up to Dubai, the cohort of 15 companies, featuring technologies ranging from AI, blockchain, cleantech, healthcare and more, benefited from training, coaching, and matchmaking services provided by the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0.
This is the third consecutive year of the European Pavilion's presence at GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai. Through pre-arranged meetings, reverse pitches at the European Pavilion stage, pitch interventions within the official conference programme and exclusive side-events, the cohort had the chance to have direct engagement with local leaders and innovators.
The week was marked by significant moments at the European Pavilion.
European Pavilion official opening
The EIC and its 15 awardees were deeply honoured by the visit of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Emirates chairman and CEO, adding great prestige to the event.
The EIC-backed companies and representatives were privileged to have the presence of inspiring female leaders for the European Pavilion ribbon-cutting ceremony. Her Excellency (H.E.) Alia Bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, joined the Pavilion alongside H.E. Lucie Berger, EU Ambassador to the UAE and Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of the Dubai World Trade Centre. Together with Stéphane Ouaki, Head of the European Innovation Council, they inaugurated the Pavilion, symbolising a strong strategic collaboration between Europe and the United Arab Emirates.
European Night Reception
This exclusive invitation-only networking event gathered over 400 participants, including local investors, high-level European state representatives, top-performing startups and scale-ups from Europe, as well as C-level executives from global tech corporations. Guests were welcomed by the opening speeches of H.E. Lucie Berger, Stéphane Ouaki, and Trixie LohMirmand. Prominent business leaders and senior officials from Europe and the Middle East came together for an evening of insightful discussions and networking. This event further strengthened ties between the regions and created new opportunities for collaboration.
Agenda highlights
Stéphane Ouaki, Head of the EIC, took the spotlight on GITEX main stage as a speaker for the panel titled “Future Proofing Innovation: Adapting Policies to Accelerate Tech Ecosystem”.
The reverse pitches were also part of the trade fair highlights. A set of sessions in which selected large corporates and investors, including Amazon Web Services and Shorooq Partners, the most active VC firm in the MENA region investing in leading tech innovators such as Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Sarwa, TruKKer and Retailo. They pitched their companies’ challenges to EIC awardees, addressing future technology trends and current priorities for investment.
Stéphane Ouaki, on GITEX Dubai 2024:
“GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai is actually the biggest trade show for tech in the world, delivering quite a lot of value for companies in terms of contacts for setting up partnerships and contracts to sell their products.”
If you want to have a glance of this successful week, please watch our video here.
About the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0
The EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0 supports the internationalisation of European SMEs, scaleups and startups, building on the success of its predecessor, the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme (OTF) 2.0. If you’re interested in knowing more about the programme and our open calls, please visit our page in the EIC Community.
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DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.