Step Conference
Step Conference is a Dubai-based private media and events company that operates flagship technology and startup conferences in Dubai, San Francisco, and Riyadh, connecting early-to-growth-stage startups, venture capitalists, and enterprise partners through ticketed events, curated investor matchmaking, and supporting digital media including a newsletter and podcast.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Step Conference does
Step Conference is a Dubai-headquartered private media and events company (founded 2011-2012) that operates an event-driven platform connecting startups, investors, and corporate partners across MENA, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Its core products are large-scale technology and startup conferences — Step Dubai (the flagship, now in its 14th/15th edition), Step San Francisco (launched August 2024), and Step Riyadh (November 2024) — supported by adjacent content products including Step Feed (a weekly MENA-focused tech newsletter) and Step Podcast. The platform combines tiered ticketing (Master Pass, Investor Pass, Startup Packages priced with early-bird discounts through sajailni.com and Luma), startup showcase applications, curated investor matchmaking, pitch competitions, satellite events, and a mentorship program to convene roughly 8,000+ attendees and 400+ startups at the Dubai event alone.
The business model is primarily transaction- and sponsorship-driven: ticket sales, startup showcase fees, and exhibitor/sponsorship packages ranging from $6,500 to $20,000+ (with named partners such as Mastercard, Atlassian, AWS, Google Cloud, Emirates, Carta, Hub71, and Dubai Internet City). Distribution is multi-channel — direct ticketing e-commerce, application-based startup onboarding, and direct enterprise sales for sponsorships — while partner ecosystems (Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, Insight Partners, Wamda Capital, 500 Global, Draper Associates, Endeavor) supply deal-flow and speaker capital. Founder Ray Dargham leads the company, which is privately held, bootstrapped (no disclosed institutional funding), operates with 11-50 employees, and holds an explicit mission to enable 1 million startup founders globally; governance and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
Step Conference firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Step Conference
- Legal name
- Step Platform DMCC
- Website
- https://stepconference.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Step Conference is a Dubai-based private media and events company that operates flagship technology and startup conferences in Dubai, San Francisco, and Riyadh, connecting early-to-growth-stage startups, venture capitalists, and enterprise partners through ticketed events, curated investor matchmaking, and supporting digital media including a newsletter and podcast.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Step Conference industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tech and Startup Conferences
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Product & Innovation Summits (Roadmap, Launch Readiness, Innovation Days) (THAHAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM)
Keywords
Where Step Conference is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices3 records
Markets served
Step Conference business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to attend Step conferences including Master Pass, Investor Pass, Startup packages, and Student passes. Pricing varies by ticket type and increases as event dates approach.
- Startup Showcase Fees: Revenue from startups applying and paying for showcase booths to exhibit at events. Startup packages include branded kiosks, investor meetings, and pitch competition opportunities.
- Exhibitor and Sponsorship Revenue: Revenue from exhibitor booths and sponsorship packages at events. Exhibitor budget ranges from $6,500 to $20,000+ based on package tier.
- Partnership and Sponsorship Programs: Corporate sponsors pay for brand visibility, exhibition space, and access to the startup and investor ecosystem at events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Master Pass - Full conference access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Investor Pass - Enhanced networking access |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Startup Early Bird Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Startup Spotlight Early Bird Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Exhibitor/Sponsor Packages |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Step Dubai 2026 General Tickets |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Step Conference product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Step Conference is a media and events organization that produces large-scale tech and startup conferences — including the flagship Step Dubai annual festival, Step San Francisco, and Step Riyadh editions — augmented by satellite meetups, startup showcase programs, curated investor-startup matchmaking, mentorship, a weekly newsletter (Step Feed), and a podcast. The events serve as the primary connective tissue linking startups, investors, corporates, and tech professionals across MENA, Emerging Markets, and Silicon Valley.
Product overview
Step Conference operates as a multi-event technology and startup ecosystem platform featuring annual conferences in Dubai (the flagship) and San Francisco, plus periodic events in Riyadh. The platform combines core conference events with supporting products: Startup Basecamp (showcase and booth program), Investor Matchmaking (curated connection system), Mentorship Program (expert mentoring sessions), Satellite Events (curated networking meetups), Step Feed Newsletter (weekly tech news), and Step Podcast (audio content). The Dubai event features four content tracks (Founders & Funders, The AI Stack, AI in Finance, Human First), while ticket products include Master Pass and Investor Pass tiers. The Host Partner Program enables regional expansion to new cities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Step Feed: A concise weekly newsletter informing readers about tech, business, and economy topics in the MENA region.
- Step Podcast
Products and services
- Step Dubai Conference Flagship annual tech and startup conference held at Dubai Internet City featuring multiple content tracks, startup showcase, investor matchmaking, pitch competitions, satellite events, and networking for startups, investors, and tech professionals.
- Step San Francisco Conference Regional tech and startup conference held in San Francisco featuring AI, SaaS, and Venture Capital content tracks with a curated matchmaking system for founders, investors, and operators; designed to bridge MENA/Emerging Markets startup ecosystems with Silicon Valley.
- Startup Basecamp Showcase Program Startup showcase program featuring seed to early-stage startups from around the world, providing booth space, investor matchmaking, mentorship roundtables, and pitch competition opportunities at Step events.
- Investor Matchmaking Service Curated matchmaking system that collects investor preferences and schedules structured meetings with relevant startups using personalized agendas; included with the Investor Pass at Step events (curated introductions to 5-10 startups).
- Mentorship Program Mentoring sessions with successful startup founders and industry experts available to participating startups and entrepreneurs, delivered through one-on-one and group formats during Step events.
- Satellite Events Curated networking meetups organized by VCs, incubators, digital agencies, and partners during Step conference week, focused on specific industries, job levels, and interests beyond the main conference program.
- Step Feed Newsletter Concise weekly newsletter informing readers about the hottest topics in tech, business, and economy sectors with a focus on social happenings within the MENA region.
- Step Podcast Audio channel that spreads the knowledge shared at Step events, featuring accomplished leaders discussing technology, innovation, and investments.
- Step Host Partner Program Licensing/partner model enabling local hosts to bring Step-branded events to their own cities, supporting local startup ecosystem development through conferences co-produced with regional hosts.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50,000+ total attendees across all events
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Step Conference
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Step Conference technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature1 record
Step Conference partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Dubai Internet CitycoreStrategic venue partner for Step Dubai events. Dubai Internet City Ampitheatre and Lakes area serves as the primary event location for Step conferences. Powered by Dubai Internet City for the Main Stage.
- Hub71coreMain Partner of Start Track at Step events. Abu Dhabi-based ecosystem enabler for tech startups providing strategic partnership and support.
- in5coreDubai-based innovation platform for startups, part of Dubai Technology, Media and Free Zone Authority (DTEC). Partner supporting Step Dubai events.
- EmiratesmajorOfficial Airline Partner offering special fares exclusively for registered Step Dubai attendees.
- AtlassiansupportingStartup Basecamp Sponsor for Step Dubai 2026, supporting the startup showcase program.
- Zest EquitysupportingInvestor Meetings Lounge Sponsor for Step Dubai 2026.
- MMSsupportingPartner supporting Step Dubai 2026 events and programming.
- Abu Dhabi Early Childhood AuthoritysupportingKnowledge Partner for Step Dubai 2026.
- Genspark.aisupportingCo-working Sponsor for Step Dubai 2026, supporting startup participants.
- CartasupportingMentor's Corner Sponsor for Step Dubai 2026.
- AWSsupportingPartner company participating at Step SF events.
- Google CloudsupportingPartner company participating at Step SF events.
- EndeavorcoreGlobal entrepreneurship organization partner for Step SF 2026.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Step Conference competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GITEX Global: UAE's flagship technology exhibition hosted by Dubai World Trade Centre. Directly competes with Step Dubai for tech/startup exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees across the MENA region, though GITEX is significantly larger in scale and government-backed.
- LEAP (Saudi Arabia): Major Saudi tech conference backed by the Saudi government and MDIF. Directly competes with Step Riyadh for MENA-region tech startups, sponsors, and investor attendance with substantially larger government support and marketing budgets.
- Web Summit: One of the world's largest tech conferences (Lisbon, Qatar, Rio). Directly competes for global tech startups, sponsors, and media attention; Web Summit's expansion to Qatar poses direct competition in the MENA region.
- TechCrunch Disrupt: Premier US tech/startup conference in San Francisco. Directly competes with Step San Francisco for the same Silicon Valley startup ecosystem, investor attendance, and sponsor wallet share, with comparable content tracks on AI, fintech, and venture capital.
- Expand North Star: Dubai-based startup event organized by Dubai Internet City in conjunction with GITEX. Directly competes with Step Dubai for early-stage startups, venture capital attendance, and Dubai Internet City partnership dollars — overlapping in both venue and audience.
- Slush: Helsinki-based startup conference with strong founder-investor matchmaking focus. Comparable in mission and curation philosophy to Step's Investor Matchmaking product; targets similar startup and VC demographics with a more established European brand.
- VivaTech: Major European tech/startup conference in Paris. Competes with Step for global sponsor and speaker attention, especially for enterprise tech brands and cross-Atlantic startup-investor connections.
Regional players
- Dubai Fintech Summit: Dubai-based fintech-focused conference. Overlaps with Step's AI in Finance Track and competes for the same fintech sponsor ecosystem in the MENA region, though Step offers broader startup/investor scope.
Broad incumbents
- SXSW: Major annual tech, music, and culture festival in Austin. Comparable in multi-track programming and sponsor activation format, though SXSW is significantly larger, more diversified, and serves a broader creative/cultural audience beyond startups.
Emerging players
- Money 20/20: Global fintech conference series. Partial overlap with Step's AI in Finance content track and Fintech audience, competing for fintech-specific sponsor dollars though Step's fintech presence is one of several tracks.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Step Conference social profiles
Digital presenceStep Conference compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Step Conference financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Step Conference leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Step Conference funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Step Conference M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Step Conference
What does Step Conference do?
Step Conference is a media and events organization that produces large-scale tech and startup conferences — including the flagship Step Dubai annual festival, Step San Francisco, and Step Riyadh editions — augmented by satellite meetups, startup showcase programs, curated investor-startup matchmaking, mentorship, a weekly newsletter (Step Feed), and a podcast. The events serve as the primary connective tissue linking startups, investors, corporates, and tech professionals across MENA, Emerging Markets, and Silicon Valley.
Is Step Conference a public or private company?
Step Conference is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Step Conference founded?
Step Conference was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Step Conference based?
Step Conference is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Step Conference make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Event Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are startup Showcase Fees, exhibitor and Sponsorship Revenue and partnership and Sponsorship Programs.
Who are Step Conference's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GITEX Global, LEAP (Saudi Arabia), Web Summit, TechCrunch Disrupt, Expand North Star, Slush and VivaTech. Dubai Fintech Summit is listed as a regional player. SXSW is listed as a broad incumbent. Money 20/20 is listed as an emerging player.
Does Step Conference have an API?
No public API is recorded for Step Conference.
What industry is Step Conference in?
Step Conference's product category is Tech and Startup Conferences. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAMAG, Product & Innovation Summits (Roadmap, Launch Readiness, Innovation Days), with a secondary code of MPAGAGAK, Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums. Its NAICS code is 561920.