Step 2025: A Special Tech Event that Attracts Over $9 Billion Fund

Step 2025: The Middle East & North Africa’s Leading Tech Event Returns for Its 13th Edition

Step 2025, the premier technology event in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is set to launch its 13th edition on February 19–20, 2025.
This is in partnership with Dubai Internet City, the region’s leading tech hub and one of Tecom Group’s ten business districts.

The event is expected to attract over 8,000 attendees, 200 speakers, and $9 billion in funding.
Solidifying its reputation as a leading platform for innovation, collaboration, and growth in the region’s technology ecosystem.

New Tracks for 2025: Spotlight on Transformative Tech Trends

This year, Step 2025 introduces five dynamic new tracks.
Those tracks are designed to highlight the most disruptive and transformative trends in technology.
While also celebrating Dubai Internet City’s 25th anniversary of enabling the digital economy.

These tracks include:

Founders & Funders: Connecting startups, investors, and accelerators to discuss business growth, funding, and scaling strategies in the MENA region.

AdTech 2.0: Exploring the future of advertising technology, including AI-powered marketing, audience targeting, and brand safety innovations.

PropTech (Real Estate Technology): Hosted by the Dubai Land Department, this track—a first at Step Dubai—will explore how AI-driven real estate solutions, blockchain transactions, and urban development innovations are shaping the future of smart cities and real estate investment.

AI Agents, Language Models, and Cloud Systems: A deep dive into how artificial intelligence is transforming industries, with a strong focus on cloud infrastructure, AI agents, and large language models.

Fintech for SMEs: Showcasing financial technology solutions that help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) streamline operations, cut costs, and optimize cash flow management.

Dubai’s Commitment to PropTech & Digital Innovation

The introduction of the PropTech track reflects Step Dubai’s and Dubai Internet City’s commitment to fostering the next generation of real estate technology solutions.
The Dubai Land Department will also support this initiative through platforms like REES Innovation Initiative.
As REES Innovation Initiative aims to revolutionize urban development and property transactions.

H.E. Majida Ali Rashid, CEO of Real Estate Development at Dubai Land Department, emphasized:

“Dubai’s hosting of events like Step 2025 reaffirms its status as a global hub for innovation and technology across all sectors, including real estate.
The inclusion of PropTech at this year’s event reflects the rapid digital transformation in Dubai’s real estate industry.
Where technology has become a cornerstone of service development and investor experience.”

She added:

“At Dubai Land Department, we are driving innovation in PropTech through our REES initiative.
Positioning Dubai as a global leader in real estate technology and AI.
This aligns with our ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and market transparency.”

Fostering Entrepreneurial Growth & Tech Innovation

Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial Leasing at Tecom Group, highlighted Step’s role in shaping the tech landscape:

“Step serves as a crucial platform, bringing together entrepreneurs and innovators who are defining the future of tech-driven industries.
Dubai Internet City continues its 25-year legacy of supporting the region’s digital transformation.”

He added:

“Our ecosystem facilitates meaningful connections between leading companies in an environment where cutting-edge ideas flourish.
Aligned with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33.”

New Strategic Partnerships & Investor Opportunities at Step 2025

Step 2025 edition will feature BIM Ventures as a strategic partner.
Offering startups and innovators an unmatched opportunity to engage with top investors, industry leaders, and decision-makers.

Key highlights include:

1. Startup Basecamp: A dedicated hub for emerging businesses.
2. Pitch Competition: Supported by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, providing startups with funding and exposure.
3. Mentor’s Corner: A mentorship initiative powered by SUMMIT OS.
4. Investor Meetings: Facilitated by Zesty Equity, connecting startups with key investors.

Industry-Leading Speakers & Tech Pioneers

Step 2025 will feature over 200 speakers, including:

• Blake Beltram, Co-founder of Mindbody (parent company of ClassPass)
• Mohsen Moazami, Global President at Groq
• Elie Khouri, CEO of Vivium Holding
• Michael Lahyani, CEO of Property Finder
• Anjali Agrawal, Head of GCC Business at Noon Payments
• James Wang, General Manager at Alibaba UAE

More speakers will be announced soon …

Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence of Things Society in Kuwait, confirmed that the UAE’s experience in dealing with artificial intelligence and technology in general is inspiring for the countries of the region. pic.twitter.com/v7QjyN6VLr

— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) February 5, 2025

A Focus on AI & the Future of Tech

Ray Dargham, CEO of Step, emphasized the event’s focus on AI:

“With AI driving rapid changes in the global tech landscape, Step Dubai 2025 is at the forefront of this evolution by launching an expanded AI track.”

He added:

“This year’s edition is dedicated to supporting the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
Helping them secure funding and reshape the future of technology.”

Step 2025: A Spotlight on Emerging Startups

Step 2025 will include a diverse lineup of innovative startups from in5, Tecom Group’s startup incubator. These include:

• Lika: An AI-powered planning app
• Zenadmin: A unified IT and device management platform
• Parfumery: A custom fragrance design studio
• Estaie: A PropTech company revolutionizing real estate management

Since its launch in 2013, in5 has supported over 1,000 startups, which have collectively raised more than 7.8 billion AED ($2.1 billion) in funding.

The UAE’s non-oil private sector continued to grow strongly at the start of 2025, although capacity pressures and competitive challenges were headwinds, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey showed. pic.twitter.com/Es2A762Q8e

— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) February 5, 2025

Dubai Internet City: A 25-Year Legacy in Digital Innovation

For over 25 years, Dubai Internet City has been a key driver of digital transformation in the region.
It hosts over 4,000 businesses, including multinational corporations, startups, and Fortune 500 firms like Microsoft, Google, and NVIDIA.
The district is part of Tecom Group’s broader network, which includes:

• Dubai Media City
• Dubai Studio City
• Dubai Production City
• Dubai Knowledge Park
• Dubai Academic City
• Dubai Science Park
• Dubai Industrial City
• Dubai Design District (d3)

Get Involved in Step 2025

Interested attendees can purchase tickets now through the official Step 2025 website.
Startups looking to participate can submit applications via the online portal.

Stay tuned for more updates as Step Dubai 2025 approaches.
Follow Step 2025 on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for the latest announcements.