LEAP 2026 has concluded its fifth edition in Riyadh after four days of technology investment, startup competitions and international partnerships, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish itself as a major global centre for digital industries and emerging technologies.
The event brought together 1,323 speakers and 1,397 investors from 1,027 firms across 72 countries. Those investors collectively represented $18.3 trillion in assets under management, while more than 1,500 exhibitors participated, including over 750 international companies.
LEAP 2026 Draws Global Technology and Investment Community
The event opened with more than $15 billion in technology investments and strategic partnerships announced on its first day. Further commitments followed across artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, startup financing and emerging technologies.
A total of 1,294 companies participated across LEAP’s exhibition and startup programme.
Mike Champion, CEO of Tahaluf and Co-Creator of LEAP, said: “As we close our fifth edition, our attention is already on what comes next. Our ambition is to build on LEAP’s momentum by deepening its international reach, creating greater opportunities for companies and founders to access capital and new markets, and strengthening the Kingdom’s connections with the global technology ecosystem. LEAP has never been about standing still, and we are already looking ahead to an even more ambitious sixth edition.”
The scale of the event reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in technology and digital infrastructure as part of its wider Vision 2030 economic diversification programme.
Waspito Wins $250,000 LEAP Award
Startup investment took centre stage on the final day through the Rocket Fuel Finale, which distributed $1 million across seven prizes.
Ten startups reached the final after progressing from 100 semi-finalists representing more than 25 countries and over 40 nationalities.
The $250,000 LEAP Award went to Waspito, a Cameroon-headquartered AI-powered software company using teleconsultations and digital systems to improve healthcare access across Africa by connecting healthcare consumers, providers and payers.
Seven Rocket Fuel Prizes Awarded
Imagine Devices received the $150,000 Shooting Star Award, while Ferveret secured the $150,000 Scaling Star Award. SarsatX won the $150,000 Into New Worlds Award and Melt Water received the $150,000 Tech for Humanity Award.
Carevision was awarded the $100,000 LEAP Landing Award, while Kanz received the $50,000 Founder Award, selected with participation from the LEAP audience.
Finalists were assessed across seven criteria, including innovation, scalability, traction, societal impact and the strength of their founding teams.
Talal Alasmari, Founding Partner at Ra’ed Ventures and a member of the judging panel, said: “What stands out to me after five years of LEAP is how it has evolved from a major technology gathering into a platform that connects ambitious founders from around the world with real opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the region. I’m excited to see that continue in the years ahead, with more companies looking at Riyadh not just as a place to showcase innovation, but as a place to build and scale.”
$104 Million AI and Immersive Technology Hub Announced
The final day also produced new commitments involving national infrastructure and technology development.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Nourah Cloud and SeeCubic AIMAGINEX KSA signed a memorandum of understanding to establish AIMAGINEX.
The $104 million initiative is planned as a national innovation hub and AI centre of excellence focused on applied artificial intelligence and immersive media technologies.
It will bring together government, academia and industry to support the development, commercialisation and adoption of AI-powered digital media technologies.
Organisers Look Ahead to LEAP 2027
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf and Co-Creator of LEAP, said: “The scale of this fifth edition reflects how far LEAP has come, but what matters most is what that scale enables. Over five editions, we have built a platform that brings founders, investors, technology leaders and companies from around the world together in Riyadh, creating connections across markets, industries and ideas. LEAP today has a genuinely global community around it, and seeing that community continue to grow is one of the strongest indicators of what we can build from here.”
Planning for the sixth edition is already under way, with organisers reporting 653 applications for LEAP’s 2027 startup programme.
With trillions of dollars in investor assets represented, more than $15 billion in first-day technology announcements and new commitments to AI infrastructure, LEAP’s fifth edition highlighted Riyadh’s expanding role as a meeting point for international capital, technology companies and startups seeking opportunities across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
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