Step Conference
{{Short description|Annual technology festival based in UAE}}
{{AfDM|page=Step Conference (2nd nomination)|year=2025|month=May|day=26|substed=yes|origtag=afdx|help=off}}
{{Infobox Convention
|name = Step Conference
|image =
|caption =
|status = Active
|genre = Technology
|venue = Dubai International Marine Club
Dubai Internet City
|location = Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
|country = United Arab Emirates
|first = {{start date and age|2011}}
|organizer = STEP
|website = {{URL|https://stepconference.com/}}
}}
Step Conference is an annual technology festival held by Step in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/entrepreneurs/riyadh-its-happening-step-conference-to-make-its-mark-in/329572|title=Riyadh, It's Happening: STEP Conference To Make Its Mark In Saudi Arabia In March|date=6 March 2019 }} It is based on Dubai, United Arab Emirates.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/03/26/meet-the-entrepreneurs-ray-dargham|title=Meet the Entrepreneurs: Ray Dargham|date=March 26, 2022|first=Gorkem |last=Sifael |website=Euronews}}
History
Step Conference was founded in 2011 by Ray Dargham after graduation from college.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/lifestyle/cars-boats/3-4m-fast-furious-supercar-star-at-dubai-conference-587214|title=$3.4m Fast & Furious supercar to star at Dubai conference|website=Arabian Business|date=29 March 2015 }} It is owned by the Step Group, the parent company which also runs Stepfeed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/startup/step-group-raises-2m-in-series-funding-660720|title=STEP Group raises $2m in Series A funding|first=Tamara |last=Pupic|website=Arabian Business|date=24 January 2017 }} Step held their first event in 2012, with hundred attendees.
In 2015, Step Conference took place at the Dubai International Marine Club.{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/meet-vin-diesels-34m-car-from-furious-7-1.1482349|title=Meet Vin Diesel's $3.4m car from 'Furious 7'|website=Gulf News|date=15 September 2018 }} Ralph Debbas, the founder of W Motors attended the conference.
In 2017, Fahad Al Butairi, Charles Elachi, and Kim Ghattas were among the attendees of the conference.{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/going-out/events/dubais-step-conference-adds-day-for-music-1.1975188|title=Dubai's STEP Conference adds day for music|website=Gulf News|date=November 2018 }}
In 2018, the event was divided into four groups, covering digital trends, artificial intelligence, autonomous technology, and financial technology.{{Cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/entrepreneurs/its-that-time-of-year-again-dubai-internet-city-to-host/309359|title=It's That Time Of Year Again: Dubai Internet City To Host STEP Conference 2018 In March|date=February 22, 201}}
In 2019, more than a thousand people attended the event and the value of funds that participated was about $1 billion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/step-provides-platform-for-startups-to-learn-and-thrive|title=Step provides platform for startups to learn and thrive|first=Sandhya|last=D'Mello|website=Khaleej Times}}
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually for the first time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/news-and-trends/step-conference-goes-virtual-with-step-anywhere-2020/351999|title=STEP Conference Goes Virtual With STEP Anywhere 2020|date=June 18, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/step-affirms-uae-is-regional-hub-for-entrepreneurship|title=STEP affirms UAE is regional hub for entrepreneurship|first=Sandhya|last=D'Mello|website=Khaleej Times}}
In 2022, the conference was held in Dubai Internet City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/step-conference-2022-to-push-evolution-of-ecosystem-forward-says-ray-dargham|title=Step Conference 2022 to push evolution of ecosystem forward, says Ray Dargham|first=Sandhya|last=D'Mello|website=Khaleej Times}} Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, a minister of state for entrepreneurship, attended the event.{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/business/step-2022-uae-wants-to-host-20-unicorn-startups-by-2031-says-minister-al-falasi-1.85947436|title=STEP 2022: UAE wants to host 20 unicorn startups by 2031, says minister Al Falasi|first=Nivetha |last=Dayanand|website=Gulf News|date=23 February 2022 }}
In 2023, the event took place in Dubai Internet City.{{Cite web |title=Search {{!}} Gulf News |url=https://gulfnews.com/search |website=GulfNews |language=en}} Step also unveiled its "Earth Track" at this year's conference.
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.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-29 |title=Step boss says AI regulation is critical but cautions against over-regulation |url=https://arab.news/9pqdh |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Arab News |language=en}} The event hosted over 8,000 attendees and featured discussions on the growing impact of AI across various industries in the MENA region. 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.{{Cite web |title=in5 startups post 25% funding surge in 2023 |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/in5-startups-post-25-funding-surge-in-2023 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}
At Step Conference 2025, held at Dubai Internet City,{{Cite web |last=Cabral |first=Alvin R. |title=Dubai's PropTech boom can help it become the 'Silicon Valley of real estate innovation' |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2025/02/19/dubais-proptech-boom-can-help-it-become-the-silicon-valley-of-real-estate-innovation/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The National |language=en}} the Dubai Land Department outlined plans to develop the emirate as a hub for real estate innovation. It announced a partnership with Step to support the attraction of global PropTech entrepreneurs and investors.