Riyadh becomes the global meeting point for sovereign wealth, venture capital and technology as LEAP connects the world’s leading investors with founders and market-ready innovation.
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 2026: LEAP returns to Riyadh from 31 August to 3 September for its fifth edition, with more than 1,000 investors from over 900 firms representing USD 14.3 trillion in combined assets under management confirmed to attend, reinforcing Riyadh’s growing position as a global destination for technology investment. LEAP 2025 saw USD 14.9 billion in investment announcements. Now entering its fifth edition, LEAP is evolving beyond a showcase for innovation into a platform designed to connect capital with companies ready to scale, with a programme that brings investors, founders and market-ready opportunities together.
Capital strategy sits at the heart of LEAP 2026. Alongside the Investor Stage, pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings will connect startups directly with investors, supported by a wider matchmaking programme for fund managers, capital providers, exhibitors and VIPs. AI-powered matchmaking through the LEAP app will also help participants identify and connect with relevant investors, founders and businesses across the event.
The programme extends beyond direct investor matching. Ecosystem Xchange will focus on market access, investment readiness, soft-landing support and cross-border collaboration through partner-led workshops, startup pitches and ecosystem showcases. LEAP Connect will provide a dedicated networking environment for investors, founders and industry leaders to build relationships beyond formal meetings, while Rocket Fuel will connect selected startups with venture capital firms, institutional investors and strategic partners.
Leading Saudi and international investors confirmed to attend include Public Investment Fund (PIF), General Atlantic, HUMAIN, Aramco Ventures, Merak Capital, Impact46, 500 Global, Sanabil Investments, Raed Ventures, J.P. Morgan, STV, Gobi Partners, Morgan Stanley and MSA Capital among others.
Mazin Alzaidi, General Partner at STV commented: “LEAP has become an increasingly important platform for bringing together the founders, investors, and industry leaders shaping the future of technology. As AI continues to transform industries worldwide, the ability to connect ambitious entrepreneurs with experienced investors and strategic partners has never been more critical. The concentration of innovation, capital, and global expertise at LEAP reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a destination for technology investment and long-term growth.”
Rocket Fuel, LEAP’s flagship startup competition, has become a launchpad for high-growth startups expanding into Saudi Arabia, connecting founders with investors, customers, government stakeholders and strategic partners. Selected from more than 3,000 applications worldwide, 100 startups representing more than 40 nationalities across 12 sectors and over 60 subsectors will pitch live for USD 1 million in equity-free funding. Participating companies include Think AI, Zinki AI, Annot8, EleeN, Uvera, RightNowAI, DuoKey and AtomicaAI.
LEAP’s impact doesn’t end when the event closes. Saudi startup Ejari first connected with an investor at LEAP 2023 before securing a USD 400,000 investment that accelerated its expansion across Saudi Arabia. Returning to LEAP 2026, the company demonstrates how connections made at the event can translate into investment and long-term commercial growth.
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice-President and Co-Creator of LEAP, said: “When LEAP launched five years ago, our ambition was to create more than a technology event. We wanted to build a platform where the people shaping the future of technology could come together to create lasting impact. Today, LEAP has become a place where ideas attract investment, partnerships drive innovation and emerging technologies scale into real businesses. That’s what makes LEAP different, and that’s the future we’re continuing to build.”
About LEAP:
Saudi Arabia’s desire to shoot for something beyond the realms of the possible presents the ultimate backdrop for LEAP.
LEAP showcases the Kingdom’s technology ambition on a global stage as it continues to grow as a hub connecting three continents. The figures speak for themselves as LEAP 2025 had an attendance of over 200,000, making it the most attended tech event in the world. LEAP features the inspiring tech of tomorrow across all major sectors including health, finance, energy, education, digital entertainment, transport, smart cities and more. The event is also led by a speaker faculty of globally celebrated technology innovators, focusing on the most innovative tech case studies from around the world.
LEAP is not like any other tech event, from the ground up the community, stakeholders and project team are challenged every day to do something wildly creative and bold, something that reflects the seismic advances in tech adoption being seen in Saudi Arabia.
About Tahaluf:
Headquartered in Riyadh, Tahaluf brings together strategically important commercial communities from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf region, and from around the world to a portfolio of world-class exhibitions and digital platforms.
Tahaluf is a joint venture partnership between Informa PLC, the world’s largest trade show organiser, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Events Investment Fund (EIF). Sela, the Saudi-owned event production company renowned for its creation of spectacular event experiences, intends to join the joint venture in the near future.
Tahaluf is responsible for the award-winning tech events LEAP, DeepFest and LEAP East, as well as Money 20/20 Middle East, the Global Health Exhibition, Cityscape Global, Black Hat MEA and CPHI Middle East.
