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?
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b9057c0b2b57483d12add_giphy-34.gif)
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8bKN7rHhHQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Okadoc, the leading instant doctor appointment booking platform, closed its $10 million Series A round.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1eeb_WhatsApp-Image-2020-02-12-at-4.24.31-PM-1024x683.jpeg)
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.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b9056c0b2b57483d12acb_eatapp.png)
2. STEP Startup Basecamp 2020 breaks record with 300 showcasing startups
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1eff_DSC09571-1024x683.jpeg)
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.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1f1a_STEP-Conference-Day-One-11-February-2020-Dubai-UAE-Image-copyright-Dante-Lor-dan%40dantaylorphotography.com-106-1024x683.jpeg)
4. Launch of new investment platform: Nuwa Capital
5. Byton, China's up-and-coming electric car startup, exhibited at STEP
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b9056c0b2b57483d12ad5_Screen-Shot-2020-03-13-at-8.07.31-PM-1024x568.png)
6. DIC Floating Pitch Competition
https://twitter.com/DIC_Community/status/1227233827883552769
7. Shorages, a simple e-commerce storage and fulfillment services for small and media companies, won the second edition of the Volkswagen Mobility Challenge.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1ef0_shorages-1024x574.jpeg)
8. Spotify's 3D audio experience
https://twitter.com/GeorgesSkaff1/status/1227126607065776129
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.
https://twitter.com/WamdaME/status/1227519834008834048
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.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1efc_DSC00027-1024x683.jpeg)
11. Top conversations were led by H.E Khalfan Belhoul, moderated by Fadi Ghandour
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1ef9_STEP-Conference-Day-One-11-February-2020-Dubai-UAE-Image-copyright-Dante-Lor-dan%40dantaylorphotography.com-167-1024x683.jpeg)
12. Head of Emerging Technology and Global Partnerships at the Smart Dubai Office, Chief Digital Director Zeina El Kaissi.
https://twitter.com/ZeinaKaissi/status/1227215250505764869
13. H.E. Henrik Landerholm, Ambassador of Sweden.
https://twitter.com/SwedeninUAE/status/1227635468231151616
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9g-tzOlKI2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
15. Amna Al Qubaisi, the first female Emirati racing driver joined the STEP Show.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1ef3_DSC09819-1024x683.jpeg)
16. Sameh Saleh, Founder & CEO of Harmonica, announces new name for app: Hawaya
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6615a761fb83776fb566900a/662b5be1203c77d4322a1f07_DSC09770-1024x683.jpeg)
Sign up now for STEP 2021 here.