How LEAP 2025 is shaping Saudi Arabia’s tech ambitions
LEAP 2025 promises even more with 1,800 global tech brands, 680 startups, and 1,000 expert speakers showcasing next-gen solutions in sectors such as space, gaming, education, and smart cities
06 February, 2025
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In just four years, Saudi Arabia’s showpiece technology event, LEAP, has gone from a bold debut to one of the most talked-about gatherings on the planet.
Now, the global award-winning conference is back for its fourth edition, set to run from February 9-12, 2025, at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre in Malham.
This year’s event is already making waves, not just for its scale but for its ambition. Under the theme ‘Into New Worlds,’ LEAP 2025 is taking a new direction with its first-ever ticketed model. The goal? To draw an even higher percentage of top-tier attendees — industry leaders, investors, and decision-makers — to supercharge business networking and investment opportunities.
“LEAP has enjoyed remarkable momentum from day one,” says Annabelle Mander, executive vice president at Tahaluf.
READ MORE: What’s in store for LEAP 2025 in Saudi Arabia?
“In 2022, we set a record as the largest debut tech event in history. By 2024, we had more than tripled in size, becoming the most attended tech event in the world. Now that we’ve established our scale, we’re concentrating on delivering tangible business outcomes,” she tells Gulf Business.
Last year’s stats underscore that meteoric rise: 215,000 attendees from 177 countries, 1,600 investors managing $4.5tn in assets under management (AUM), and more than $11.9bn in announced investments.
For Mander, the numbers tell a compelling story, but the real focus now is on building a vibrant ecosystem where startups, entrepreneurs, and tech giants can collaborate to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s tech-driven ambitions.
This year, LEAP 2025 promises even more with 1,800 global tech brands, 680 startups, and 1,000 expert speakers showcasing next-gen solutions in sectors such as space, gaming, education, and smart cities.
Heavyweights like Google Cloud, Huawei, Meta, Zoom, AWS, STC, Aramco, and NEOM are leading the charge. Meanwhile, other top global brands such as L’Oréal are making a LEAP debut, bringing 20 cutting-edge technologies to the show floor.
Elevating Saudi Arabia’s Events Sector
LEAP has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s strategy to become a global hub and meeting point for innovation.
Behind its success is a partnership with Tahaluf, which has played a pivotal role in elevating the country’s events industry to new heights.
Tahaluf is a strategic joint venture between Informa, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and the Events Investment Fund (EIF), thereby bringing together a number of key stakeholders.
“Tahaluf’s collaboration with LEAP has been a game-changer for Saudi Arabia’s events industry,” explains Abdulaziz Alghurayr, director of office and government liaison.
“Tahaluf’s key contributions include curating an impressive lineup of global tech leaders, facilitating partnerships between local and international companies, and creating opportunities for Saudi youth to engage in the tech ecosystem through workshops, hackathons, and mentorship programmes. These efforts have elevated the quality and scope of events in the Kingdom, aligning them with international standards,” says Alghurayr.
Crucially, LEAP is closely tied to the goals of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s roadmap for economic diversification and knowledge-based development.
“LEAP 2025 is a direct reflection of Vision 2030’s ambition to diversify the economy and establish Saudi Arabia as a leader in technology and innovation,” says Alghurayr.
“LEAP encourages investment in emerging technologies like AI and fintech, which are critical to building a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. Furthermore, it supports the development of digital infrastructure and the empowerment of Saudi youth, particularly in STEM fields, which are central to Vision 2030’s goals,” he notes.
Alghurayr further acknowledges that Saudi authorities have been instrumental in LEAP’s success. From facilitating partnerships with global organisations to providing funding and ensuring senior officials participate in the event, the government’s involvement has created an environment where LEAP is viewed as a priority for the nation’s development.
“Government entities have actively participated in planning and executing the event, ensuring alignment with national priorities,” adds Alghurayr.
Amid this support, the scope of the event is also deepening, with a special focus on AI via DeepFest as well as a new sportstech focus.
DeepFest 2025: Bringing Future of AI to Riyadh
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept; it is a thriving industry driving transformation across every sector.
Globally, the AI market was valued at $638bn in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.1 per cent, reaching an estimated $3.7tb by 2034, according to Precedence Research.
Saudi Arabia is carving out a significant role in this booming industry, aligning with its Vision 2030 ambition to diversify the economy through technological innovation. The Kingdom’s AI market was valued at $1bn in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6 per cent, reaching $4 billion by 2033, as per IMARC Group.
In Saudi Arabia, these trends are complemented by large-scale government-backed initiatives like the $100 billion Project Transcendence, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for AI innovation.
And as artificial intelligence continues to shape industries and redefine possibilities in Saudi Arabia and across the globe, DeepFest 2025 — which is co-located with LEAP 2025 — is set to take centre stage.
Dubbed the world’s premier AI-focused conference, DeepFest 2025 is organised by Tahaluf and powered by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
DeepFest 2025 is expected to draw over 48,000 attendees, alongside 150 speakers and 120 exhibitors, with the Kingdom’s ambitious Project Transcendence initiative serving as its visionary backdrop.
Some of the brightest minds in AI will be speaking at DeepFest 2025, including Aidan Gomez, co-founder & CEO of Cohere; Marc Raibert, founder of Boston Dynamics; Dr. Daniela Braga, CEO of Defined.AI; and Lambert Hogenhout, chief of data & AI at the United Nations. Discussions will explore critical themes such as AI ethics, governance, and sustainability.
The event promises a mix of live demos and immersive experiences. For example, Jonathan Ross, founder & CEO of Groq, is set to present the AI Groqchip, a breakthrough in scalable AI computing, while Marcello Mari, CEO of SingularityDAO, will conduct a live interview with his AI avatar, exploring what decentralised AI could mean for humanity.
Humanoid robots by UB Tech and Pudu Robotics will share the floor with attendees, while tech couture by Dutch designer Anouk Wipprecht will blur the lines between fashion and technology with her interactive robotic dress.
The transformative potential of AI in healthcare will also be a major theme at DeepFest 2025. Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, CEO of Alan, will demonstrate ‘Mo,’ a Doctor AI assistant that gamifies health management through biomarker analysis and preventative care.
“DeepFest 2025 will explore how AI is transforming every sector and translate advancements into tangible solutions for a brighter future,” says Mander.
SportsTech at LEAP 2025
This year, LEAP 2025 is further introducing SportsTech, a dedicated content track exploring the intersection of sports and technology. The debut of this vertical underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing professional sports as part of its Vision 2030 goals, which aim to diversify the economy and position the Kingdom as a global hub for innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s rapid emergence as a global sports hub provides a fitting backdrop for SportsTech at LEAP 2025. From hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034 to major events such as the Jeddah F1 Grand Prix and high-profile boxing matches, the Kingdom is proving its ability to deliver world-class sporting experiences. These achievements are underpinned by significant investments in technology, which are reshaping sports culture and production on a global scale.
At LEAP 2025, SportsTech is set to bring together industry leaders, athletes, and investors to explore how technology is transforming sports at every level.
Hosting the stage will be former France and Manchester United football legend Patrice Evra, who will be joined by more than 30 high-profile speakers and participants.
Among the confirmed names are Javier Tebas, President of LALIGA; Dominic Thiem, Grand Slam tennis champion; and Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer of Chelsea FC.
Representatives from global organisations like Formula E, the ATP Tour, Newcastle United, and the F1 McLaren Racing Team will share insights into how cutting-edge technology is enhancing performance, fan engagement, and sustainability in sports.
“Sports tech is revolutionising the way we play, train, and experience sports,” said Iker Casillas, Spain and Real Madrid’s legendary goalkeeper, now an active investor and startup accelerator.
Attendees will also have the chance to meet sporting icons like Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, Francesco Totti, and former Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who has since transitioned to becoming a biotech entrepreneur.
The SportsTech stage will cover a wide range of topics, including:
- AI and data analytics: How sports organisations are leveraging data to improve player performance and optimise game strategies.
- AR/VR technology: Innovations in fan engagement, allowing audiences to experience sports in immersive new ways.
- Sustainability: How tech is helping make global sporting events greener and more efficient.
- New business models: Exploring innovative revenue streams and investments reshaping the sports industry.
SportsTech at LEAP 2025 is also attracting major investors, such as Apex Capital, known for its partnerships with figures like McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris and professional boxer Anthony Joshua. Their presence underscores the growing interest in how technology is driving the next chapter in sports innovation.
Recent forecasts by Predence Research indicate that the global sports technology market is projected to grow by 21 per cent annually, reaching a value of $117.93bn by 2034. With such exponential growth on the horizon, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a key player in this space, leveraging technology to enhance its sporting events and attract global attention.
Looking ahead
There’s no doubt that there’s a lot on the go for the team Tahaluf as it continues to build out one of the region’s biggest technology events.
Looking ahead, the company has big ambitions.
“Our focus is on remaining adaptable and responsive to emerging technologies, ensuring our content, speaker lineups, and specialized programs keep delivering genuine impact. We also benefit from strong partnerships with MCIT and SAFCSP, which help transform innovative ideas into real-world opportunities,” says Mander.
“Looking ahead, I expect to see even more advancements in AI, Fintech, Renewal Energy and Biotech, which will continue to evolve and revolutionize how we interact with the broader tech ecosystem. On a personal note, I’m especially proud of how LEAP has accelerated Tahaluf’s growth. “We now have over 100 LEAP dedicated employees in Riyadh. I feel incredibly lucky to work with such a talented, high-performing group, and I’m excited to see how we’ll keep shaping LEAP’s future and driving innovation in the years to come,” she concludes.
To learn more about LEAP 2025, be sure to pick up the latest Gulf Business February issue or view the digital magazine below:
