The LEAP Conference is an international technology event hosted annually in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It serves as a platform for innovators, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the future of technology and its role in shaping human prosperity. The conference was inaugurated in 2022 under the theme “One Eye on the Stars” and has since grown into one of the world’s largest technology gatherings, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and boost the contribution of the digital economy to national GDP.
Goals of the LEAP Conference
The LEAP Conference aims to:
- Position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for technology and innovation.
- Enable the adoption of emerging technologies.
- Increase the digital economy’s contribution to Saudi GDP.
- Support startups, investors, and entrepreneurs in the tech ecosystem.
Participation and Partnerships
The inaugural edition brought together:
- 700+ world-leading tech companies.
- 350+ local and international speakers.
- 200+ venture capital investors.
Topics ranged from the digital economy, Internet of Things (IoT), biotech and health tech, space and satellites, to financial technologies.
Key Saudi entities included Monsha’at, Qiwa, the Ministry of Education, Advanced Electronics Company (AEC), and KAUST. Global players such as Apple and Meta also played significant roles.
Initiatives and Programs
The conference launched the Saudi Ignite Program with a budget of SAR4.2 billion to grow the digital content market. In total, 36 initiatives were introduced, focusing on:
- Funding: Establishment of investment funds.
- Regulation: Improving digital laws and data protection.
- Training: Scholarships and workforce development.
- Digital Content: Expanding games, video, audio, and advertising industries.
By 2030, these programs aim to triple Saudi Arabia’s digital content market, open new global markets, and create thousands of new jobs.
LEAP Conference 2022 – The Beginning
- Hosted under the theme “One Eye on the Stars.”
- Established Saudi Arabia as a major tech event host.
- Attracted leading investors and innovators.
LEAP Conference 2023 – Expansion
- Held February 6–9, 2023, under “Into New Worlds.”
- Included 900+ companies, 700 speakers from 50 countries, and 90 startups competing in the Rocket Fuel competition with a prize pool of USD1 million.
- Announced USD9 billion in tech investments.
- Highlight: Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh – the first in the MENA region.
LEAP Conference 2024 – New Horizons
- Held March 4–7, 2024, themed “New Horizons.”
- Hosted 1,000 companies and 1,000 experts from 180 countries.
- Featured DeepFest, an AI-focused summit under the theme “AI Beyond Imagination.”
- Included 150 AI speakers, 120 exhibitors, and training platforms for startups.
LEAP Conference 2025 – Into New Worlds
- Held February 9–12, 2025.
- Welcomed 1,800 exhibitors, 1,000 international speakers, 680 startups, and representatives from 18 countries.
- Offered a USD1 million prize pool for innovative startups.
Significance
The LEAP Conference has positioned Riyadh as a global technology capital, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role in the AI revolution, digital transformation, and the international innovation ecosystem. With its rapid growth, it reflects Vision 2030’s ambition to diversify the economy, empower youth, and make Saudi Arabia a leader in global technology and knowledge economies.
