How LEAP became a global meeting point for international tech players

2026-05-12 · Source: Sifted · Field: Business & Management — Entrepreneurship & Start-ups, International Business & Trade, Corporate Strategy & Leadership · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, medium

Summary

LEAP, a technology conference in Saudi Arabia, has evolved from a regional showcase into a global strategic meeting point for innovation, attracting international investors, founders, and policymakers. Now in its fifth year, the event is described as an "economic platform" rather than just a conference, facilitating significant capital investment and dealmaking. In 2025, Saudi Arabia's VC investment reached $1.7 billion across 257 deals, with international investors accounting for 58% of activity. LEAP generated approximately $820 million for Saudi Arabia and saw $14.9 billion in technology investment announced during the 2025 event. It differentiates itself by integrating multiple technology industries and offering immersive experiences, such as AI-guided robotic surgery simulations and brain–computer interfaces, allowing direct interaction with emerging technologies.

Key takeaway

For entrepreneurs and investors seeking to expand into or understand Middle Eastern technology markets, LEAP offers a crucial gateway. Your participation can provide direct access to regional capital, partners, and customers, accelerating market understanding and deal flow. Prioritize networking and product demonstrations to maximize your engagement and gain conviction on market fit, rather than solely focusing on capital acquisition.

Key insights

LEAP has transformed into a global economic platform for tech investment and cross-border collaboration.

Principles

• Conferences can serve as economic platforms.
• Immersive experiences enhance tech engagement.

Method

LEAP fosters dealmaking by providing dedicated networking opportunities, investor lunches, and spaces for founders to interact with investors and test products, alongside showcasing diverse tech industries.

In practice

• Attend LEAP for direct access to MENA markets.
• Use LEAP to test sales pitches and prototypes.

Topics

• LEAP Conference
• Saudi Arabian Tech Ecosystem
• Venture Capital Investment
• MENA Market Expansion
• Global Innovation Hubs

Best for: Entrepreneur, Investor, Policy Maker

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Sifted.