As the next wave of technology unfolds, the places where investors, founders and policymakers meet are as influential as the technologies themselves.
One event highlighting this shift is tech conference LEAP, in Saudi Arabia. Now in its fifth year, what began as a regional showcase in capital Riyadh, to spotlight the Middle East’s growing ecosystem, has evolved into a strategic meeting point for global innovation.
“Saudi Arabia has a young, digitally native population, significant capital investment into technology infrastructure and a national strategy focused on innovation,” says Annabelle Mander, LEAP’s executive vice president.
What has remained constant is that LEAP was never designed to be just a conference, it was designed as an economic platform.
“That combination creates enormous momentum. We see LEAP as a catalyst.”
In an interview with Sifted, Mander, along with Basma Dawwas, LEAP’s events director, Maxime Kryvian, founder of personal cooling technology company MyCelsius and Rebecka Zavaleta, founder of HR platform Paismo, unpack how the event has developed over the years and the opportunities it brings for founders and investors.
‘LEAP was never designed to be just a conference’
The original ambition for LEAP was to create a technology platform anchored in Saudi Arabia bringing people together, says Mander. Early on, however, the team could see that it was resonating with the wider region.
“What has remained constant is that LEAP was never designed to be just a conference, it was designed as an economic platform,” Mander tells Sifted.
“When you have global venture firms actively investing in the ecosystem and founders from every continent flying in, you realise you are no longer hosting a regional event. It’s less about geography.”
According to startup data platform MAGNiTT’s 2025 Saudi Arabia venture capital report, VC investment in the country reached $1.7bn across 257 deals last year. Saudi Arabia also dominated the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) venture capital market, accounting for 45% of total funding.
International investors accounted for the majority of VC participation in Saudi Arabia in 2025, according to the same report, with non-Saudi based investors representing 58% of total investor activity.
LEAP also pioneers immersive and experiential activations that go beyond traditional panels.
“From the first edition we had extraordinary demand, but what became clear within the first few years was that the event was attracting not just attention but also capital,” Mander says.
In 2025, LEAP generated around $820m for Saudi Arabia, and $14.9bn in technology investment was announced during the event.
LEAP differentiates itself by bringing together multiple technology industries that might often sit in separate forums, adds Dawwas.
“The goal is to show how practical applications of technology work across different industries.
“LEAP also pioneers immersive and experiential activations that go beyond traditional panels. From AI-guided robotic surgery simulations to brain–computer interfaces translating neural signals into speech, visitors are not just hearing about future technologies — they are interacting directly with the organisations building them.”
Opportunities for founders
MyCelsius, which develops wearable cooling technology designed to provide relief from hot flushes, benefitted from the amount of time available to network closely with investors at LEAP, says Kryvian.
“As a founder, you have access to investor lunches, but also space to hang out with other founders and investors. I met a lot of investors, especially angels that I wouldn’t have met elsewhere.”
MyCelsius also wanted to test customer appetite for its tech at LEAP. “We know that applications for climate change adaptation for industrial workers can be huge,” says Kryvian, adding that there was “a lot of traction” at the company’s booth from “senior people” who could use the tech at work.
For startups expanding internationally, this is incredibly valuable.
Zavaleta says she got a month’s work done over a few days at LEAP: “With this one event, you can test your sales pitch with prospects, your investor pitch with investors and meet potential partners.
“LEAP helps you understand the ground realities of how a new market actually thinks, especially when you can also show them your product or even prototype. For startups expanding internationally, this is incredibly valuable.”
Zavaleta adds that one of the most important things to do at the event is take the time to understand what other founders and businesses are working on.
She says: “When you take off the ‘go-getter’ hat for a while and allow yourself to be swept away with all the cool stuff your neighbors and panelists are building, it reminds us why we’re even in the tech space.”
Gateway into middle eastern markets
The conference provides an accessible way into MENA markets and opportunities to meet investors, customers and partners from the region, says Kryvian.
“I see a lot of entrepreneurs from Egypt, Lebanon, Dubai and the UAE,” he says. “It's such an access point to the region, and it brings opportunities that you might not think Saudi would. There's so much synergy there.”
Within two days of arriving, Kryvian says he was invited to the biggest VC dinner at the LEAP. “There's such a local interest in growing the ecosystem. Everyone's excited and that gives an amazing energy.”
Most founders land in Riyadh saying they want capital, but in reality market understanding is what gives a founder conviction, Zavaleta says.
“Capital gives you fuel, but market understanding tells you whether you’re driving in the right direction and like all founders, you want to make sure you’re solving for the right problem.
There's such a local interest in growing the ecosystem. Everyone's excited and that gives an amazing energy.
“LEAP is located in Saudi Arabia, which works with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which works with MENA, which works with Europe.
“The conversations are becoming more cross-border, connected and grounded. You are seeing Gulf corporates, regional investors, European founders, US funds and operators from South Asia and Africa all meeting around commercial opportunities, not just networking.”
One of the biggest shifts in global tech is that innovation is no longer concentrated in a handful of traditional hubs, adds Dawwas.
“Markets that were previously seen as secondary are becoming places where companies launch products, secure funding and scale internationally,” she says.
“LEAP sits within that shift. It provides a window into how the Middle East’s technology ecosystem is evolving and creates a place where international startups and investors can engage with that momentum directly.”
Looking to join the founders, investors and policymakers defining what’s next for technology? Register here to be the first to buy tickets for LEAP 2026 taking place 31 August - 1 September.
