BERLIN X DUBAI: NETWORKING TRIP TO THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

18 October 2023 – Berlin’s start-up scene strengthens the capital’s economy and is known far beyond its borders. In order to turn various acquaintances into promising contacts, Berlin Partner travelled to Dubai together with Berlin-based entrepreneurs from 16 to 19 October 2023. The aim of the visit to the dazzling desert city was the networking of the Berlin delegation with international partners as part of the events GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star as well as exclusive B2B meetings.
GITEX GLOBAL was held from 16-20 October and is the largest tech and startup event in the world. Participants were greeted by a variety of exhibitors presenting the latest tech innovations in 41 halls, as well as a varied program consisting of live action workshops, conferences and networking events. The year 2023 was also themed “The year to imagine AI in everything.” In addition to innovations in the field of Artificial Intelligence, visitors were surprised and inspired by extraordinary and already real applications. The internationalisation of the trade fair was also presented at a press conference on 18 October. With GITEX AFRICA, GITEX GLOBAL is getting its first offshoot, which will generate considerable interest worldwide and certainly also in Berlin.
Expand North Star is the world’s largest networking event for start-ups and investors. From 15-18 October 2023, startups from over 100 nations met in the halls at Dubai Harbour, eager to expand their portfolio with a promising investment from the over 1000 venture capital investors. 70 AI startups were among the contenders and aspirants.

The networking trip to Dubai offered promising prospects – also for the Berlin delegation. In addition to expanding their network and clientele, the participating entrepreneurs hoped for an enriching exchange with international players. That was also the case of Dr. Elena Mechik, COO of Inhubber. (key2contract GmbH). Together with her partners Andre Sokolov and Leonid Mechik, she secured this year’s Founder Prize in the “Vielfalt unternimmt – Berlin würdigt migrantische Unternehmen” competition organised by the State of Berlin. With her own company, she has been helping to improve digital signatures and digital contract management since 2020. Its USP is the digital signature, which is supported by all file formats. A product that also generated considerable interest and good conversations on an international level.

For the Berlin delegation, the trip was definitely worth it. For example, Berlin’s Mayor and Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey met with the President of Emirates airline during GITEX , to discuss Berlin’s potential for more international long-haul connections. By adding Berlin to its global network, Emirates will be able to offer tourists and business people from around the world direct access to and from Berlin, while increasing freight capacity to transport import and export goods.