A Dubai World Trade Centre-led roadshow at Kochi’s Infopark has introduced Kerala technology companies to opportunities in the UAE market, including market entry, investment, customer acquisition and links with international investors.
The Destination Expand North Star roadshow was organised by Central, the business hub of Dubai World Trade Centre, ahead of Expand North Star, a global startup and investor event scheduled at Dubai Expo City from December 8 to 10, 2026. Technology company founders, investors and representatives of IT parks and industry organisations took part in discussions at Infopark.
The Kochi programme focused on helping Kerala-based companies understand the commercial opportunities available in the UAE and identify potential partnerships before travelling to Dubai. Discussions covered the UAE market-entry process, investment opportunities, customer acquisition, collaboration and access to Dubai’s wider technology ecosystem.
Rafees Rahmathulla, chief executive director of Central, said the organisation plans to provide 100 selected founders from India with a special Dubai experience centred on Expand North Star and GITEX Global 2026. The initiative is intended to help founders identify suitable commercial opportunities and build connections before attending the Dubai events.
The Kochi roadshow is part of the first phase of Destination Expand North Star, which includes cities such as Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore, Chennai and Bengaluru. The programme is being organised with support from Infopark, Kozhikode’s Government Cyberpark, Technopark, Hilite Business Park, CAFIT, GTech and World Trade Centre organisations in Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kochi.
The event places Infopark within a wider network linking technology parks, startup organisations and international business platforms. For participating companies, the stated objective is not only attendance at an overseas event but also preparation for market entry, investor engagement and customer acquisition in the UAE.
Abir Al Alawi, head of operations and projects at Central, said Kerala’s talent base and growing startup ecosystem provide a strong foundation internationally. Central business head Dua Al Dekhaidi said the organisation would work with companies to understand their business models and UAE objectives and connect them with the resources required to facilitate market entry.
The programme also reflects the continuing participation of Kerala’s state IT department and companies from government IT parks in GITEX Global in Dubai, according to the report. The roadshow therefore serves as an advance platform for companies seeking to convert that institutional presence into specific commercial opportunities.
The event was attended by Infopark and Kozhikode Government Cyberpark chief executive officer Sushanth Kurundhil, Central business head Dua Al Dekhaidi, head of operations and projects Abir Al Alawi, partnership manager Ayesha Suha and Expand North Star senior sales manager Julian Anderson.
The next stated milestone is Expand North Star at Dubai Expo City from December 8 to 10, where selected Indian founders are expected to pursue the business and investor connections introduced through the roadshow series.
