15th edition The Heartbeat of Tech in MENA
Hello Dubai.
- When
- February 3 to 4, 2027
- Where
- Dubai Internet City
- Doors
- 08:30
What Step feels like
Two days built aroundpeople, ideas and momentum.
Conference content is only part of it. Step brings together startup programming, investor connections, brand activations, exhibition areas, meet-ups and the festival energy around them.
Two days, one floor
A conference
that feels like a festival.
Dubai Internet City turns into a lakeside campus for two days: six stages, a startup pavilion, brand activations, meet-ups on the grass, and the sunset. Sound on.
See the floor2025 and 2026The experience
Six ways in.
Conference content is only part of it. Here is what actually happens across the two days.
Talks + Workshops
Ideas on every stage.
Multiple stages and formats bring founders, investors and operators into conversations across startups, digital media, fintech and future tech.
Startup programming
Built for connections.
Hundreds of startups showcase, pitch and meet the investors, partners and customers who can move things forward.
Brand activations
More than a logo.
Brands build experiences people can actually step into, from product moments and live demos to unexpected on-ground activations.
Exhibition areas
Where the room meets.
Tech companies, startups and partners share the floor, creating a natural place to discover what is new and start the next conversation.
Meet-ups + Networking
Outside the agenda too.
Focused meet-ups and informal networking run alongside the main program, bringing together people by industry, role and shared interests.
Entertainment
Conference meets festival.
Outdoor moments, music, food and pop-ups keep the energy going well beyond the stage.
Exhibitors, startups, brands
Take your place on the floor.
400+ startups showcased and 100+ companies exhibited at Dubai Internet City in 2026. Stands, showcase kiosks, activations and partnerships for February 2027.
Exhibit or showcaseStand / Showcase / Activation / PartnerSeen on the floor, 2025 and 2026
Host partner Dubai Internet City. Delegations from Hub71, DIFC, Dtec, Dubai Chamber Digital and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund. Exhibitors from HSBC to Snapchat.
- Dubai Internet City
- Hub71
- DIFC Innovation Hub
- Dtec
- Dubai Land Department
- Dubai Chamber Digital
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund
- Paymob
- HSBC
- Microsoft
- BytePlus
- Snapchat
- Chevrolet
- Rove Hotels
- MBC Media Solutions
- Sky News Arabia
- The National
- MENA Tech
- IMI
- Wego
- Elevision
- Poddster
- Entrepreneur Middle East
- Inc. Arabia
- Anqa
- UBQT
- U Drive
- BIM Ventures
- Endeavor
- Blitzscaling Ventures
The run of show.
How this works. The 2027 programme is not out yet. What you see is the format, filled with real Step 2025 and 2026 sessions so the client can judge the layout. The rows swap for the real programme without touching the page.
- 08:30
Doors open
Registration and badge pick-up at the Step main entrance. Grab a coffee, get ahead of the crowds.
- 10:00 to 10:30
Hello Dubai: opening of the 15th edition
Ray Dargham, Founder and CEO, Step Group
Main Stage - 10:30 to 11:00
Keynote hosted by Dubai Land Department
Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai, Dubai Land Department (Step 2025 session)
PropTech - 11:15 to 12:00
From Vision to Venture: How Founders and Funders Build Lasting Legacies
Hosted by BIM Ventures, a Saudi venture studio (Step 2025 session)
Founders & Funders - 12:15 to 13:00
The Power of Omnichannel Commerce
Hosted by Paymob. Mostafa Menessy, Said Murad, Ciprian Spiridon, Alex McCrea (Step 2025 session)
Fintech - Lunch on the lakeside floor, 13:00 to 14:00
- 14:00 to 14:45
Capturing the Modern Gaze: Attention, Data and AI-powered Media
The Digital Segment by MBC Media Solutions (Step 2026 session)
AI Stage - 14:50 to 15:30
Building Resilience and Profitability
Panel sponsored by Hub71, Abu Dhabi's tech ecosystem (Step 2026 session)
Main Stage - 15:40 to 16:20
Funders and Founders: How We Built a Thriving Startup Community
Hosted by Dtec, Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Step 2025 session)
Founders & Funders - 16:30 to 18:00
Meet the Startups
Showcase and pitches, delegations from Hub71, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Chamber Digital
Startup Pavilion - 18:00 to 19:00
Sunset on the lake
Music, food and pop-ups. Conference meets festival.
The Lake
Format preview. The sessions shown are real Step 2025 and 2026 sessions arranged as a sample. The 2027 programme replaces them when published.
Voices
Who took the stage.
A few of the people who spoke at the 13th and 14th editions, in the words Step used to introduce them. The 2027 lineup is announced closer to the date.
Ronaldo Mouchawar
Amazon
Human talent must be better supported amid AI-driven shifts
Step Dubai 2026Noor Sweid
Global Ventures
On stage with Amazon’s Ronaldo Mouchawar, Step Dubai 2026
Step Dubai 2026Cathy Hackl
Spatial computing
How emerging technologies reshape human interaction and identity
Step Dubai 2026Adeo Ressi
Founder Institute
Richest in the world, or richest in impact?
Step Dubai 2026Mamoun Hmidan
Chief Business Officer
An operator’s view to AI: how data, platforms and intelligent systems scale in real markets
Step Dubai 2026Nicky Verd
Author
A human lens to AI adoption
Step Dubai 2026Allen Taylor
Endeavor Catalyst
20+ years in venture, a $500M+ co-investment fund, 300+ startups backed
Step Dubai 2025Rick Fox
Partanna
Founders & Funders track
Step Dubai 2025Walid Mansour
MEVP
Co-founder and co-CEO, on the venture landscape
Step Dubai 2025Mohammad Alblooshi
DIFC Innovation Hub
Positioning Dubai as a global fintech hub
Step Dubai 2025H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei
Minister of State for Entrepreneurship
Officially opened the 13th edition
Step Dubai 2025Dr. Mahmoud Al Burai
Dubai Land Department
PropTech keynote
Step Dubai 2025
On the floor
2025 and 2026, caught.
Pulled from @stepconference. The lake, the stages, the pavilion, the grass.
For now
Block
the date.
February 3 to 4, 2027, Dubai Internet City. Tickets, speakers, startups, investors and partners are coming next.
- 2 daysWednesday and Thursday
- 5 tracksplus the Startup Pavilion
- 8,000+attendees in 2026
Master Pass · Both Days
Both days at Dubai Internet City, every stage and track, the Startup Pavilion and the exhibition floor. Demo price for the platform walkthrough.
USD 1BuyUSD 1Day Pass · Wed 3 Feb
Day one only. Main Stage, AI Stage and the full track programme, plus the exhibition floor.
USD 100BuyUSD 100Day Pass · Thu 4 Feb
Day two only. Includes the Step Pitch final and the closing of the 15th edition.
USD 100BuyUSD 100
Getting there
Plan ahead.
Dubai Internet City Amphitheatre, DubaiOpen in MapsDirections
When do doors open?
Doors opened at 8:30 AM for the 2026 edition. Head straight to the Step main entrance at the Dubai Internet City Amphitheatre for registration and badge pick-up. 2027 timings will be confirmed with the programme.
How do I get to Dubai Internet City?
Public transport is highly recommended. Metro: Al Khail Station. Tram: Palm Jumeirah 1 Station. Ride-share: taxi, Careem or Uber. Plan ahead and leave early, the roads around the city fill up.
Is there parking?
Free self-parking in the multi-storey car park, first come first served until full. Valet parking has limited availability, with drop-off between buildings 1 and 2 at 80 AED per day, closing at 6:30 PM (2026 arrangements).
What should I wear?
It is going to be hot, and most of the floor is outdoors by the lake. Wear cool clothing, comfortable shoes, and bring sunglasses.
I have a ticket. What happens next?
Ticket holders receive an email with the link to the event companion app before the event, with the programme, the map and the meet-ups.
Can my startup showcase?
Yes. Applications for the startup showcase are open through the form linked on this page. Hundreds of startups showcased in 2026, many through partner delegations such as Hub71, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Chamber Digital.