This October, NextStar Venture Partners Managing Partner Deborah Magid will travel to Dubai’s waterfront district to attend the Expand North Star conference, an event recognized as the world’s largest gathering of startups and investors. Organized by the Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the four-day program runs from October 12–15, 2025 and commemorates its tenth edition this year.
Global Significance of Expand North Star
Launched in 2016 as a regional initiative, Expand North Star has evolved into a global platform for innovation and investment. Last year saw participation from over 100 countries, a sharp increase from 39 at its inaugural edition. Exhibitor numbers have grown from 350 digital startups in 2016 to 1,800 in 2024, while investor attendance surged from 150 to 1,200 over the same period.
The conference serves as a nexus for founders, innovators, and investors, featuring pitch sessions, mentorship programs, strategic roundtables, and showcases across emerging sectors such as fintech, climate tech, and Web3. Importantly, it also offers a window into Dubai’s infrastructure and forward-thinking policies that actively support the digital economy.
Why NextStar VP is Attending
Founded by Deborah Magid and Swati Dasgupta, NextStar Venture Partners was built on the belief that venture capital should connect visionary ideas with long-term, sustainable growth strategies. Deborah’s participation in Expand North Star marks the firm’s first investment-focused initiative under the newly launched NextStar Venture Partners Fund.
During the event, Deborah will meet founders in person, hear their perspectives, and evaluate business models with a focus on fundamentals rather than trends. For NextStar, attending is not about chasing the latest hype—it is about identifying grounded, scalable businesses and understanding the market forces driving the next wave of innovation.
Our Focus
Deborah’s time in Dubai will be dedicated to listening—particularly to entrepreneurs who have successfully built real, market-ready products, and to investors with decades of experience navigating changing economic cycles. With support from NextStar’s network and strategic partners, this approach ensures that potential investments are aligned with the firm’s disciplined, principle-driven methodology.
Looking Ahead
The international scale and credibility of Expand North Star make it an ideal launch point for NextStar Venture Partners Fund’s investment journey. Deborah and Swati aim to return from Dubai with actionable insights, valuable connections, and, ideally, a selection of promising companies to support and grow over the long term.
For those attending Expand North Star who wish to explore collaboration opportunities, please reach out to Deborah via deborah@nsvp.vc to connect during the event.
