The European Pavilion will be returning to GITEX GLOBAL with a delegation of 15 EIC companies, from 13 – 18 October in Dubai, UAE. One month before the official start of the trade fair, we had the opportunity to engage with Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO at KAOUN International.
1. Can you provide an overview of the major themes and highlights we can expect at GITEX GLOBAL 2024?
Trixie: GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech and start-up event, will spotlight on the theme of “Global Collaboration to Forge a Future AI Economy”. The phenomenon of AI and deep tech have created unprecedented new opportunities and challenges for digital economies globally, including the private and public sectors. The collective mission to leverage AI for the betterment of societies and economies is besieged by conflicting and divergent perspectives on fostering a safe and responsible AI universe while not constraining its disruptive innovative impact.
GITEX GLOBAL shall feature over 3,000 companies operating in the AI space and 120-plus hours of deep tech-focused content across policies, interoperability, used cases, ethical deployment and capacity building from 150-plus expert government leaders, practitioners and futurists. The event will spotlight the critical role of real applications, strategies, and agendas in multiple industries on the cusps of mammoth AI disruption, projected to contribute nearly $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, according to a PwC forecast.
“Global Collaboration” in GITEX shall spotlight rising digital nations across continents converging in GITEX to explore ways of collaboration, especially in tech and knowledge exchange and augmentation. GITEX GLOBAL 2024 has seen a surge in rising digital economies participating this year, from Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, all actively seeking partnerships and promoting their digital programmes to accelerate their digital competitiveness.
The event will bring together 6,700 of the world’s most innovative tech enterprises and more than 2,000 fast-growing start-ups and scale-ups actively defining the new paradigms in AI, Data and IoT, Data Centre, Cybersecurity, Connectivity, Future Health, Digital Finance, Energy, Ed Tech, Future of Mobility, Sustainability, Creative Economy, and Web 3.
Adding to the event’s prestige, GITEX GLOBAL will feature 65 unicorns and 120-plus soonicorns at the forefront of emerging tech industries, including DeepL, Insilico Medicine, and Synthesis AI. This 2024 edition will host VC fund managers overseeing more than $1 trillion in assets, such as SOSV, Lightrock, Sinovation Ventures, and the European Innovation Council Fund, offering invaluable opportunities for investment and collaboration.
This year will also mark the launch of "GITEX Editions", a platform designed to accelerate the global growth of advanced tech soonicorns. This program connects high-growth companies with opportunities for global expansion, strategic collaborations, M&A, and listings, providing the strategic insights and advisory support needed to navigate their next phase of growth.
Venture capital will also take centre stage at Expand North Star as the show continues to be a nexus for investors and start-ups, facilitating connections that could lead to the next big breakthroughs in AI, deep tech, and sustainable technologies. With North Star Scaleups - our unique platform for innovation, collaboration, and growth - 100 global scale-ups will access a premier global tech ecosystem, a dedicated showcase area, our acclaimed concierge matchmaking programme, exclusive government briefings, and more.
Visitors at Expand North Star will also be immersed in a featured programme and exhibition focused on the future of our planet by GITEX IMPACT, the region’s largest and most innovative climate tech.
2. With Europe’s growing presence at GITEX, how does the European Pavilion contribute to this edition in Dubai?
Trixie: Europe’s commitment in making the digital market a priority in so many forms over the recent years is remarkable, that being by creating the first comprehensive legal framework to regulate AI systems – the EU AI Act – or through its leadership firm mission to achieve climate transition, electrification, and net-zero technology potential. Amid the continent’s speeding digital influence and its historically acclaimed business competitiveness, GITEX GLOBAL 2024 partnership with the growing community of European private and government agencies connects the global digital ecosystem of stakeholders to deepen development and exchange of knowledge, tech and research know-how, and internationalization opportunities. Our partnership with the European Innovation Council, Europe’s biggest deep-tech investor has facilitated significantly cross sectoral and inter-continental policy, business development, entrepreneurship and investment engagements amongst international organisations and SMEs.
This edition will bring together over 30 country-pavilions and more than 1,000 SMEs and start-ups hailing from the region and some of the most innovative markets making their debut at the show, including Ireland, Latvia, Portugal, and Serbia. The diverse line-up of European companies in the event now offers the GITEX community a truly global platform with opportunities for business development and alliances with established and fast-growing markets across Europe, especially with the world advancing towards a new economy augmented by AI.
At GITEX GLOBAL, they will deliver great value through strategic conversations and on-stage debates around policy and regulations, sustainable digital infrastructures, tech and knowledge transfer, and capacity building, as well as forge collaborations to foster global competitiveness and mitigate the economic and social divides toward a more equitable, accessible, and safe digital industry.
Following GITEX GLOBAL in Dubai, our collaborations with Europe’s rapidly evolving tech ecosystem and community will continue with GITEX EUROPE, taking place from 21-23 May 2025 in Berlin, where we aim to keep supporting and propelling the continent’s tech ambitions on a global scale.
3. What opportunities does GITEX GLOBAL provide for European companies looking to expand into the Middle East and beyond?
Trixie: Internationally rated as the world’s largest tech and start-up event, GITEX GLOBAL converges some of the most influential private and public leaders from over 180 countries, offering unparalleled global opportunities for European companies to establish powerful cross-regional and multi-sectoral alliances, significantly enhancing their potential in tech exports, investments, and knowledge transfer.
Whether the goal is to create new distribution networks, form joint ventures, engage with new customer audiences, or open new avenues for R&D and innovation, GITEX GLOBAL provides the solid platform to make these opportunities a reality.
GITEX hosts tech providers and users across multiple sectors of the economy, which is paramount for companies seeking business expansion given the cross-sectoral application of technologies in this breakthrough decade of digital transformation, promising more business building opportunities beyond single industry.
Our four decades of expertise as a powerful tech aggregator, bringing together the most diverse tech ecosystem in the world and converging the most dominant tech voices, authorities, policy-makers, and global executives, enable exclusive access to long-term relationships with great potential to accelerate the European tech community. In 2024, the event will also convene 1,200-plus venture capitalists and investors with more than $1 trillion in assets under management, which represents additional opportunities for European companies to build strategic partnerships.
The combination of extensive networking, cooperation, and investment opportunities makes GITEX GLOBAL an unmatched destination for any European company aiming to establish or expand its presence on the global stage.
4. For EIC entrepreneurs heading to GITEX GLOBAL 2024, here’s how you can make the most of this opportunity:
Trixie: To harness the full potential of your presence at GITEX GLOBAL, come prepared to use this platform as a launchpad to establish your company as a key player. Begin by networking with representatives from over 400 government digital agencies from the Middle East, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and all across Europe as well for the biggest business opportunities in government partnerships and projects.
Engage actively in “GITEX Editions” and Expand North Star, making the most of your participation through the personalised matchmaking meeting programme to connect with your target investors and position your technology in front of the people who can elevate it within larger ecosystems. GITEX GLOBAL also offers an ideal setting for benchmarking against competitors and industry peers worldwide, providing valuable insights and privileged access to products, solutions, initiatives, and relevant information for your business.
Make time to attend the 800-plus hours conference programme to gain first-hand knowledge and experience on the best and most innovative tech practices worldwide from over 1,000 expert speakers from around the world. Lastly, participate in the curated investment program and briefings. These aren’t just networking sessions—they’re direct access points to decision-makers who can significantly impact your business.
Visit the 44 exhibition halls at both venues of Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour hosting 6,700-plus companies, for the most powerful masterclass in what’s new and what’s next from companies from 180 countries, the best research, competition benchmarking, new relationships development event in the world.
GITEX GLOBAL 2024, now in its 44th edition, is renowned as one of the most prominent global tech expos. For over forty years, it has served as the ultimate platform for tech innovators, investors, and tech fans to unite.
Explore the European Pavilion at the GITEX GLOBAL 2024, Hall 1, Booth B20 and discover the latest EIC awardees’ breakthroughs in AI, cleantech, robotics, cybersecurity, blockchain, and beyond!
Find here more information about our 15 selected companies for GITEX GLOBAL 2024 and the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0.
