Step Conference
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| Step Conference | |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Technology |
| Venue | Dubai International Marine Club Dubai Internet City |
| Location(s) | Dubai, United Arab Emirates Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Inaugurated | 2011 |
| Organized by | STEP |
| Website | stepconference |
Step Conference is an annual technology festival held by Step in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[1] It is based on Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[2]
History
[edit]Step Conference was founded in 2011 by Ray Dargham after graduation from college.[2][3] It is owned by the Step Group, the parent company which also runs Stepfeed.[4] Step held their first event in 2012, with hundred attendees.[2]
In 2015, Step Conference took place at the Dubai International Marine Club.[5] Ralph Debbas, the founder of W Motors attended the conference.[5]
In 2017, Fahad Al Butairi, Charles Elachi, and Kim Ghattas were among the attendees of the conference.[6]
In 2018, the event was divided into four groups, covering digital trends, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, and financial technology.[7]
In 2019, more than a thousand people attended the event and the value of funds that participated was about $1 billion.[8]
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually for the first time.[9][10]
In 2022, the conference was held in Dubai Internet City.[11] Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, a minister of state for entrepreneurship, attended the event.[12]
In 2023, the event took place in Dubai Internet City.[13] Step also unveiled its "Earth Track" at this year's conference.[13]
At the 2024 edition of Step Conference in Dubai, a new Artificial Intelligence track was introduced, covering topics such as generative AI, machine learning, and regulatory frameworks.[14] The event hosted over 8,000 attendees and featured discussions on the growing impact of AI across various industries in the MENA region.[14] At Step Conference 2024, Tecom Group’s in5 showcased ten innovative startups, including BitAffix, ReflowX, Writefully, Arabiatee, Estaie, and others, while announcing AED 3 billion in total funding raised in 2023.[15]
At Step Conference 2025, held at Dubai Internet City,[16] the Dubai Land Department outlined plans to develop the emirate as a hub for real estate innovation.[16] It announced a partnership with Step to support the attraction of global PropTech entrepreneurs and investors.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ "Riyadh, It's Happening: STEP Conference To Make Its Mark In Saudi Arabia In March". 6 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Sifael, Gorkem (March 26, 2022). "Meet the Entrepreneurs: Ray Dargham". Euronews.
- ^ "$3.4m Fast & Furious supercar to star at Dubai conference". Arabian Business. 29 March 2015.
- ^ Pupic, Tamara (24 January 2017). "STEP Group raises $2m in Series A funding". Arabian Business.
- ^ a b "Meet Vin Diesel's $3.4m car from 'Furious 7'". Gulf News. 15 September 2018.
- ^ "Dubai's STEP Conference adds day for music". Gulf News. November 2018.
- ^ "It's That Time Of Year Again: Dubai Internet City To Host STEP Conference 2018 In March". February 22, 201.
- ^ D'Mello, Sandhya. "Step provides platform for startups to learn and thrive". Khaleej Times.
- ^ "STEP Conference Goes Virtual With STEP Anywhere 2020". June 18, 2020.
- ^ D'Mello, Sandhya. "STEP affirms UAE is regional hub for entrepreneurship". Khaleej Times.
- ^ D'Mello, Sandhya. "Step Conference 2022 to push evolution of ecosystem forward, says Ray Dargham". Khaleej Times.
- ^ Dayanand, Nivetha (23 February 2022). "STEP 2022: UAE wants to host 20 unicorn startups by 2031, says minister Al Falasi". Gulf News.
- ^ a b "Search | Gulf News". GulfNews.
- ^ a b "Step boss says AI regulation is critical but cautions against over-regulation". Arab News. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "in5 startups post 25% funding surge in 2023". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b c Cabral, Alvin R. "Dubai's PropTech boom can help it become the 'Silicon Valley of real estate innovation'". The National. Retrieved 2025-05-26.