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In a landmark move to strengthen the UAE’s global innovation ecosystem, Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has signed an agreement with The Doers Company to host the first-ever Middle East edition of the renowned “Doers Summit.” Formerly known as Reflect Festival, the event is one of Europe’s largest and most impactful gatherings of startups, venture capitalists, and innovation leaders.

The Dubai edition, set to take place at Dubai Silicon Oasis, is expected to bring together over 3,000 participants, including hundreds of startups, venture capital funds, and ecosystem leaders from across the region, building cross-border partnerships and unlocking access to new capital and markets.

The agreement was signed at DIEZ headquarters by Badr Buhannad, Deputy Director General of DSO, Stylianos Lambrou, Co-founder of The Doers Company, and Dušan Duffek, Managing Partner at Zero One Hundred VC. The signing was witnessed by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, and Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation & Technology for the Republic of Cyprus.

“Hosting the Doers Summit in Dubai reinforces our vision of DSO as a smart, innovation-driven hub,” said Badr Buhannad. “This collaboration aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to elevate Dubai’s standing as a global leader in the digital economy and entrepreneurship.”

Originating in Limassol, Cyprus, the Doers Summit has, since 2018, acted as a vital bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, facilitating hundreds of partnerships between founders, investors, and corporate leaders. Its 2025 Cyprus edition drew over 10,000 attendees and 250+ speakers, setting the stage for a high-impact debut in Dubai.

“Launching the Doers Summit in Dubai is a natural evolution,” said Stylianos Lambrou. “We’ve seen increasing momentum from the Middle East — with more VCs, founders, and government support — making Dubai the ideal gateway for the next phase of our journey.”

Unlike conventional expos, the Doers Summit focuses on experience-driven formats, combining curated matchmaking, storytelling agendas, and culturally rich engagement zones. The Dubai edition will feature:

• Dedicated networking zones and lounges

• Side events for informal business interaction

• Community-led content and industry-specific programming

“After eight years building a vibrant European ecosystem, we’re excited to bring that energy to Dubai,” said Dušan Duffek. “Even in its first year, the Summit will match the scale and quality expected from one of the world’s leading innovation capitals.”

The initiative supports the UAE’s national goals of economic diversification, digital transformation, and global competitiveness, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a central platform for venture building and international knowledge exchange.

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