09 Feb 2025
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.
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.