Dubai, 11–12 February 2026 – As global venture capital pivots toward resilient emerging markets, Step Conference 2026 returns to Dubai Internet City with a clear mission: to cement the emirate’s status as the pre-eminent launchpad for the next wave of billion-dollar companies in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.
Now in its 14th edition, Step has grown from a 400-person gathering into the region’s most high-signal startup event, attracting 9,000+ founders, investors and corporates in 2025. The 2026 edition is already oversubscribed for investor passes and will feature:
- Over 400 startups from 60 countries
- 250+ active venture funds with more than $18 billion in dry powder earmarked for MEASA
- A confirmed $150 million+ on-stage deal pipeline (up 40 % from 2025)
The Main Stages: Where Deals Actually Close
Step 2026 will run across five content tracks at Dubai Internet City’s main arena:
- Step Money – The investor heartbeat Confirmed LPs and GPs include Saudi’s STV ($2.1 bn AUM), Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, UAE’s Shorooq Partners, and global heavyweights such as Tiger Global, Coatue and SoftBank Vision Fund 3. The flagship “Step Deal Room” returns with 1,200 pre-booked one-on-one meetings — last year 68 % of booked meetings resulted in term sheets within 90 days.
- The Pitch Competition – $1 million prize pool 60 pre-vetted startups will battle across Seed, Series A and Growth categories. Judges include Raed Al-Samhouri (STV), Noor Sweid (Global Ventures) and Hasan Haider (500 Global). Winners receive automatic fast-track into the Dubai Future Accelerators and visa sponsorship for the entire founding team.
- Future Stage – Deep tech and frontier focus Sessions on space-tech (UAE’s $1 bn moon mission ecosystem), climate tech (P7 funds launching from Saudi), and defence-tech dual-use startups (42 % YoY growth in regional deal volume). Notable speakers: Sarah Abu Risheh (Saudi Space Agency), Alexander Harmsen (Iris.ai), and H.E. Omar Al Olama (UAE Minister of State for AI, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications).
- Growth Stage – Scaling in the desert Case studies from Careem’s Magnus Olsson, Anghami’s Eddy Maroun, and Tamara’s Abdulmajeed Alsukhan on reaching $1 bn+ valuations in <5 years. A closed-door LP session will reveal the new $500 m “MEASA Opportunity Fund” co-anchored by Mubadala and Saudi’s PIF.
- Creator Economy & Web3 With Dubai issuing 1,500+ virtual-asset licences in 2025, expect major announcements around regulated tokenisation platforms and creator-led DAOs.
Why Dubai, Why Now?
The numbers are unambiguous:
- UAE ranked #1 globally for ease of starting a business (World Bank 2025)
- $4.7 billion invested into MEASA startups in 2024 — 42 % YoY growth (MAGNiTT)
- 67 unicorn births projected in MENA by 2030 (Dubai Chamber of Commerce)
- Zero personal income tax + 100 % foreign ownership in free zones + golden visa for founders raising >$250 k
Step 2026 sits at the exact intersection of these tailwinds. Regional sovereign funds have publicly committed to deploying $15 billion+ into tech ventures over the next three years, and Step is their primary hunting ground.
The Off-Stage Deal Flow
The most valuable conversations happen away from the spotlight:
- Desert Safari Investor Dinners (limited to 40 LPs and 40 founders)
- Yacht meetings on the Palm (booked solid six months in advance)
- The legendary Step After-Dark parties where more term sheets have been signed on napkins than in most formal boardrooms
Last year, Egyptian fintech MaxAB closed a $40 m extension at a desert campfire. Expect similar fireworks in 2026.
Who Should Attend
- Seed/Series A founders raising $1–15 m → apply for the Pitch Competition (deadline 15 Dec 2025)
- Growth-stage companies targeting $20 m+ rounds → secure a Growth Stage speaking slot or private booth
- Investors with MEASA mandate → VIP Investor Pass ($2,999) includes all Deal Room access and private LP events
- Corporates seeking innovation partnerships → CVC & Innovation Leader Pass with dedicated matchmaking
Practical Information
- Dates: 11–12 February 2026
- Venue: Dubai Internet City Arena
- Tickets: stepconference.com
- Founder Pass: $299 (early bird until 30 Nov)
- Investor Pass: $1,299–$2,999
- VIP All-Access: $4,999 (includes private transfers and ministerial roundtables)
- Accommodation: Official hotels via Dubai Calendar portal — 92 % already reserved
The Bottom Line
While Silicon Valley debates valuation compression and Europe grapples with regulatory headwinds, Dubai is quietly building the most founder-friendly ecosystem on earth. Step Conference 2026 is not just an event — it is the single highest-ROI 48 hours for any ambitious entrepreneur or investor serious about the next decade of global tech wealth creation.
In the words of one GP who has closed four deals at Step over the years: “If you want to see where the next Careem, Swiggy or Nubank will come from, you get on a plane to Dubai in February.”
The desert is calling. Will you answer?