Step Dubai 2027

About the event

Step Dubai is the Dubai edition of the Step technology and startup festival, a series that also runs an event in San Francisco. The Dubai event is held at Dubai Internet City in partnership with that business district and focuses on the startup and venture ecosystem of the Middle East and North Africa.

The two-day program combines keynotes and fireside chats on a main stage with several parallel tracks, a startup exhibition floor, a live pitch competition and pre-arranged one-to-one meetings between startups and investors. Meetups, dinners and partner gatherings take place around the main days. Past speakers have included founders and executives from regional companies such as Careem, Tabby and Property Finder, along with government officials and international tech founders. The 2027 edition is scheduled for February 3 and 4, 2027.

Who should attend

Useful for founders of early-stage and growth startups, including app and consumer tech teams, who want to raise money or expand into the Gulf and wider MENA market. Investors and operators can scout regional deal flow through the startup showcase, the pitch competition and curated one-to-one meetings, while service providers and partners get direct access to the local ecosystem in a single place.