https://arab.news/j8893
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to host its flagship technology event, LEAP 2025, in Riyadh from Feb. 9, bringing together visionaries, innovators, and investors from around the world. The latest edition follows last year’s record-breaking LEAP 2024, which saw $13.4 billion in investments and project commitments.
Under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 aims to expand business networking and investment opportunities in the tech sector. The event plays a critical role in Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global technology hub, aligning with its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy. As part of this initiative, the Kingdom has pledged $100 billion toward advancing its technology sector.
This comes as a World Economic Forum report projected that investment in research, development, and innovation will add $16 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030.
The government has committed to investing 2.5 percent of the nation’s annual GDP in the sector by 2040.
LEAP 2025 is co-organized by Tahaluf and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and the Events Investment Fund.
According to the event’s website, this year’s LEAP is expected to host more than 680 tech startups, 1,100 speakers, 1,800 technology brands, and over 170,000 visitors.
Driving tech aspirations
Industry leaders view LEAP as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s technological ambitions.
“The future of technology is being shaped by ecosystems that blend digital innovation with real-world transformation. Saudi Arabia’s journey, highlighted at LEAP, showcases how technology is driving giga-projects such as NEOM, Red Sea Global, and Qiddiya,” said Mamdouh Al-Doubayan, managing director of Globant in the Middle East and North Africa.
Mamdouh Al-Doubayan, managing director of Globant in the Middle East and North Africa. Supplied
“These initiatives demonstrate that building a knowledge-based economy is not just about deploying cutting-edge tools — it’s about fostering environments where innovation solves tangible challenges and drives societal progress,” he added.
Globant is among the companies supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 through tech-driven collaboration.
In December, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha underscored the conference’s role in realizing the Kingdom’s economic transformation.
“The decision to move to a ticketed format this year makes LEAP more of an exclusive experience for attendees and relevant to today’s global technology elite,” Al-Swaha said.
“LEAP 2025 will showcase exceptional technology innovations, business opportunities, and content — ensuring Saudi Arabia becomes the world’s undisputed technology aggregator,” he added.
Thibault Werle, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group, emphasized LEAP’s role in positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional tech leader.
Thibault Werle, managing director and partner at Boston Consulting Group. Supplied
“In only three years, LEAP has become a flagship event uniting tech leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs, cementing the Kingdom’s role as a hub for transformative technologies shaping industries and economies alike,” Werle said.
Werle added that Saudi Arabia is not merely adopting technology but actively reshaping its future by building a dynamic ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.
Programs and speakers
LEAP 2025 will feature the return of DeepFest, the region’s leading forum on artificial intelligence, as well as new segments such as the SportsTech Track and Tech Arena.
The SportsTech Track will highlight cutting-edge innovations in sports technology, featuring live demos, industry announcements, and insights from leading figures. Notable speakers include Patrice Evra, former Manchester United forward; Mathieu Flamini, co-founder of GF Biochemicals and former French international; and Iker Casillas, ex-Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper.
Tech Arena, another new addition, will offer hands-on experiences with prototypes and live product demonstrations. The Startup Stage will serve as a platform for emerging entrepreneurs to pitch groundbreaking ideas in the technology sector.
LEAP 2025 will kick off with an opening address by Al-Swaha, followed by keynote speeches from Charbel Aoun, smart city lead at NVIDIA for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and Arvind Krishna, chairman and CEO of IBM.
Other prominent speakers include Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation; Alison Wagonfeld, chief marketing officer of Google Cloud; Kam Ghaffarian, executive chairman of Axiom Space; and Javier Tebas, president of La Liga.
Industry heavyweights such as Saudi Aramco, PepsiCo, Logitech, Lucid, NEOM, and the Royal Commission of AlUla will be among the key participants.
“We are thrilled to join LEAP 2025, a pivotal event that provides a unique platform highlighting the latest advancements in technology and innovation. We look forward to engaging with industry leaders, exploring new partnerships, and showcasing our innovations that empower users to create, collaborate, and bring their creative visions to life,” said Rocky Tang, general manager of enterprise development at Wondershare.
Håkan Cervell, vice president and head of Saudi Arabia at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, said the company’s presence at LEAP reflects its commitment to supporting Vision 2030.
“Like every year, we are truly excited to showcase Ericsson’s innovative technologies at LEAP 2025 and how they are empowering a sustainable, connected future for Saudi Arabia and beyond,” Cervell said.
Expanding opportunities
Beyond panel discussions and keynotes, LEAP 2025 will provide a wide range of networking and investment opportunities. The conference will include investor matchmaking programs, exclusive networking lounges, and specialized workshops tailored to startups and enterprises looking to scale in Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
Another highlight of this year’s event is the Future Mobility Pavilion, where companies specializing in electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and smart transportation solutions will showcase their latest developments. Industry leaders from Tesla, Lucid Motors, and Saudi Public Transport Company are expected to participate in discussions about the future of mobility in the Kingdom.
LEAP 2025 will also emphasize advancements in cybersecurity and blockchain technology, with dedicated panels on data privacy, digital identity, and decentralized finance. Experts from Microsoft, IBM, and Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority will provide insights into emerging threats and strategies for safeguarding digital assets.
Additionally, the conference will serve as a platform for universities, research institutions, and tech incubators to showcase cutting-edge research and development projects. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with scientists and developers leading breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing.
The last edition was reportedly the world’s most attended technology conference, drawing over 215,000 visitors and driving Riyadh’s hotel occupancy rates to 99 percent.
With an agenda packed with industry-leading discussions, networking opportunities, and hands-on tech experiences, LEAP 2025 is poised to further cement Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading force in global technology.