LEAP 2026 to Return to Riyadh for Fifth Edition in April 2026

LEAP 2026 is set to convene more than 200,000 participants as Saudi Arabia accelerates its innovation ambitions under Vision 2030.

Riyadh will once again host LEAP as the global technology event returns for its fifth edition from 13 to 16 April 2026.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf, the event reflects Saudi Arabia’s expanding position as a global innovation hub aligned with the objectives of Vision 2030.

LEAP 5 is expected to attract more than 201,000 visitors, alongside over 600 startups, 1,000 speakers, 1,800 global technology brands, and more than 1,900 investors. Organizers state that the scale of participation underscores the Kingdom’s growing influence in shaping global conversations around technology, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.

The speaker line-up highlights Matt Garman, CEO of AWS; Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia; to Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN. LEAP will also spotlight Andrew Feldman (Cerebras Systems), Hanne Jesca Bax (EY), and Chandra Donelson (US Space Force).

LEAP 5 will feature more than 20 stages covering climate technology, health technology, fintech, space technology, and smart cities. The program will focus on emerging technologies and industry adoption.

DeepFest will return as part of LEAP 5, focusing on artificial intelligence and deep technology. Participating companies include EY, Snowflake, Alteryx, Agibot, and Xerox. The event will also include a Tech Arena featuring live demonstrations and applied AI use cases.

GameX Creative will debut as a flagship zone dedicated to gaming, esports, and digital content. Participating organizations include Savvy Games Group, ESL FACEIT Group, Hero Esports, Steer Studios, OSN+, Red Sea Film Foundation, MDLBeast, and Kojima Productions.

The Sports Tech Hub will return with expanded programming. Participating organizations include The English FA, La Liga, Saudi Pro League, Juventus FC, Atlético Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Ferrari, and the Aston Martin Formula One Team. The program will focus on the use of artificial intelligence, data, and immersive technologies in sports performance, fan engagement, and commercial development.

LEAP Connect will launch as a new curated networking platform designed to facilitate collaboration among founders, investors, C-suite executives, and policymakers through structured matchmaking and networking sessions.

LEAP’s Investor and Startup Program positions Riyadh as a global hub for capital and innovation. Anchored by the Investor and Founder Stage and the US$1 million Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition, it unites startups and investors across 60 tech verticals, with participation from PIF, SVC, 500 Global, Rakuten Capital, and 20VC, driving cross-border deals and early-stage investment at scale.

Faisal Alkhamisi, Chairman of the SAFCSP, said, “Over the past four years, LEAP has evolved at a rocket-fuelled pace, playing a critical role in nurturing talent, creativity and investment. Yet, this is just the beginning. LEAP will continue to reflect the ever-changing tech landscape and inspire pioneers from across the globe.”

Mike Champion, CEO of Tahaluf said, “LEAP has become a place where the future is not just discussed but built. The momentum in Saudi Arabia is extraordinary, and as LEAP enters its fifth edition, it will take this ambition into new worlds, unlocking investment and shaping the technologies that will define the next decade. Five editions in, that ambition only grows and LEAP’s impact grows with it.”