LEAP unveils $1m prize pool for Rocket Fuel 2025 startup competition

The fourth edition of LEAP, Saudi Arabia’s technology event, is set to host the annual Rocket Fuel Startup Pitch Competition.

LEAP 2025 will take place at the Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Centre Malham from 9-12 February. The competition will feature startups competing for a share of a $1m prize pool. The Rocket Fuel Startup Pitch Competition highlights Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem and provides a platform for emerging companies to present their ideas to a global audience.

The semi-finalists will consist of 120 startups from 40 sectors and 31 countries. Each will meet criteria related to development stage, industry focus, funding, and location, and will pitch to a panel of venture capitalists and industry leaders. Competing across six categories, 12 startups will advance to the Grand Finale on 12 February, where winners will be announced.

The competition includes six awards, recognising innovation, market potential, team strength, business model, and societal impact. The overall ‘LEAP Award,’ with a prize of $250,000, will go to the top startup across all sectors. Other category winners will receive $150,000 each. The ‘Shooting Star’ Award will go to a high-potential early-stage startup, while the ‘Scaling Star’ Award will recognise a growth-stage venture. The ‘Tech for Humanity’ Award will acknowledge a startup focused on social impact. The ‘Into New Worlds’ Award will go to a startup with transformative potential, while the ‘LEAP Landing’ Award will be given to a high-growth international startup entering the Saudi market.

In addition to Rocket Fuel, international and Saudi-based investment firms will attend LEAP 2025. Saudi firms include STV, Wa’ed Ventures, and Jada Investments, while international firms include UBS, Morgan Stanley, SC Ventures, and The Carlyle Group. The event will feature speakers from General Atlantic, PIF, Scrum Ventures, Mantis, Mindvalley, and LeapFrog Investments. The Investor Stage will cover themes related to technology investment, including sustainable finance, global collaborations, and leadership in venture capital.

The Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition is sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP).

Four judges have been confirmed for the finale: Ahmed El Alfi, Founder & Chairman at Sawari Ventures; Vusi Thembekwayo, CEO of MyGrowthFund Venture Partners; Lateefa Alwaalan, Managing Director of Endeavour Saudi; and Connie Chan, Board Partner at Andreessen Horowitz.

Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, which co-organises LEAP with the Saudi Ministry for Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), highlighted the competition’s role in fostering innovation and investment in startups.

“Successful startups drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth. Rocket Fuel showcases Saudi Arabia as a hub for startups and investors. Past winners have leveraged their recognition to expand globally,” said Champion.

Beyond Rocket Fuel, LEAP 2025 will offer mentorship and networking opportunities for startups. The pre-conference Founders Bootcamp will provide training on refining pitches and business strategies. An estimated 680 startups will attend, connecting with over 2,000 investors through LEAP 2025’s AI-powered matchmaking service. Additional opportunities include mentorship sessions and the Ecosystem Xchange, which will facilitate private meetings and networking events hosted by partners such as Carta, Angel School, and Google Cloud.

LEAP 2025 will take place from 9-12 February at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham.