LEAP 2026, one of the world's largest and most influential technology conferences, opened its doors today in Riyadh's Malham district, bringing together more than 1,800 technology companies and over 600 startups for four days of talks, demos, and deal-making.
The event, running from August 31 through September 3 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, is co-located with DeepFest, the region's premier AI event. Together, the two conferences form the Middle East's biggest annual gathering of the global technology industry.
This year's edition features more than 1,000 speakers across multiple stages, with a heavy emphasis on artificial intelligence, robotics, and the infrastructure needed to support the AI boom. DeepFest will spotlight national AI strategies and real-world applications across sectors including healthcare, energy, finance, and transportation.
A centerpiece of the startup ecosystem at LEAP is the Rocket Fuel Competition, where more than 600 startups will compete for a $1 million prize. The competition has become one of the region's most high-profile launchpads for emerging technology companies.
LEAP is backed by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and organized by Tahaluf, a joint venture between the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP) and Informa Markets. The conference has grown rapidly since its 2022 debut, reflecting the kingdom's ambition to position itself as a global technology hub under its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.
Last year's LEAP attracted over 200,000 attendees and generated more than $10 billion in announced deals, according to organizers. The 2026 edition is expected to match or exceed those figures as Gulf states continue to pour capital into AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.
