Top Things that Happened at STEP 2020

March 6, 2020 by STEP Conference

With our 9th edition of STEP Conference, themed “the World in Dubai”, wrapped up, here’s a look at some of the key highlights/takeaways. What were your favorite moments?

Over AED 600 million worth of funding deals were announced between companies, regional and homegrown startups such as:

Vezeeta, Middle East and Africa’s leading digital healthcare platform, secured US$ 40 Million in its Series D round led by Gulf Capital

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@vezeeta has raised $40 Million in a Series D funding round led by UAE-based Gulf Capital, and further investment from existing Riyadh-based investor Saudi Technology Ventures (STV), which previously led Vezeeta’s Series C round in September 2018. Vezeeta’s other investors include @becocapital, Silicon Badia, Vostok New Ventures, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures and Endeavour Catalyst. Read more: LINK In BIO #vezeeta #wayamedia

A post shared by WAYA (@waya.media) on Feb 11, 2020 at 3:08am PST

Okadoc, the leading instant doctor appointment booking platform, closed its $10 million Series A round.

EAT app, a Dubai-based online restaurant reservation platform used throughout the Middle East, raised a $5 million Series B round of funding led by 500 Startups and Derayah VC.

2. STEP Startup Basecamp 2020 breaks record with 300 showcasing startups

3. Top speakers from US, Europe & Asia such as Robert Scoble, Jeremiah Owyang, Adah Parris, Erica Kerner, Charles Schreger, Amit Chaudhary and more were on stage.

4. Launch of new investment platform: Nuwa Capital

5. Byton, China’s up-and-coming electric car startup, exhibited at STEP

6. DIC Floating Pitch Competition

Day 1 is almost over! Innovative spirits and energy flowed throughout our community today as @stepconference 2020 kicked off. Our very own Floating Pitch competition also took place where startups had the chance to pitch to a judge while on a boat!#dubaiInternetcity #step2020 pic.twitter.com/vh0qDvUqVF
— Dubai Internet City (@DIC_Community) February 11, 2020

7. Shorages, a simple e-commerce storage and fulfillment services for small and media companies, won the second edition of the Volkswagen Mobility Challenge.

8. Spotify’s 3D audio experience

Yayy here we go again… love this experience @SpotifyArabia @Spotify @ConnectAds @stepconference #step2020 pic.twitter.com/YhSZwGGSMH
— Georges Skaff (@GeorgesSkaff1) February 11, 2020

9. Wamda, the Middle East’s startup ecosystem enabler, launched its ‘The state of the pre-seed startups in MENA’ report in collaboration with STEP Conference at the event on 11 February 2020.

According to Wamda's report on 'The state of pre-seed startups in Mena', nearly 75 percent of founders are males, leaving only 25 percent female. #WamdaResearch https://t.co/TESDKoUWIY
— Wamda ومضة (@WamdaME) February 12, 2020

10. Dubai Chamber Market Access program took place on sidelines of STEP where corporates such as EmiratesNBD and Mediclinic amongst others were matched with startups.

11. Top conversations were led by H.E Khalfan Belhoul, moderated by Fadi Ghandour

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – 11 February 2020: STEP Conference. (Photo by Dan Taylor – ©Dan Taylor).

12. Head of Emerging Technology and Global Partnerships at the Smart Dubai Office, Chief Digital Director Zeina El Kaissi.

Enjoyed very much chatting today with @MayaHojeij at @stepconference about Smart Dubai and entrepreneurship – two topics very close to my heart! #Dubai #Tech pic.twitter.com/psyFVFjpRK
— Zeina Kaissi (@ZeinaKaissi) February 11, 2020

13. H.E. Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of Sweden.

Embassy at STEP! Leading regional conference on tech and #innovation. Business, public and academic cooperation – experiences from

14. Khadoum, an app that enables users to unlock a set of missions presented in the form of volunteer ideas and community challenges, won the STEP pitch competition

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Many people hold a very narrow definition of success. They think it’s about building wealth or amassing a large social media following. While these are wonderful things, it is important to treat them as motivational milestones, set to us so that we can have that extra push to keep going further! Khadoum is proud to announce that we've reached a new milestone by winning the @stepconference pitch competition, among 400 tech startups from all around the world! It wasn't an easy win, and it surely wasn't the result of an individual effort. We are truly humbled by it and deeply of owe to our wonderful advisors and supporters. Winston Churchill said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” #Khadoum #Step2020 #Dubai #Tech #TechStartup

A post shared by Khadoum (@khadoumcards) on Mar 9, 2020 at 6:55am PDT