Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The fourth edition of LEAP, Saudi Arabia’s premier tech event, will be held from 9-12 February 2025 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre, Malham, featuring the annual Rocket Fuel Startup Pitch Competition.
Startups will compete for a $1M prize pool, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem, according to the event’s official website.
The competition will bring together 120 startups from 31 countries and 40 sectors, judged by venture capitalists and industry leaders. Finalists will compete in six categories, with awards recognizing innovation, market potential, and societal impact. The top prize, the LEAP Award, offers $250,000, while category winners will receive $150,000 each.
Judges include Ahmed El Alfi (Sawari Ventures), Vusi Thembekwayo (MyGrowthFund), Lateefa Alwaalan (Endeavour Saudi), and Connie Chan (Andreessen Horowitz). Sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s National Technology Development Program (NTDP), the competition emphasizes innovation and investment.
Beyond Rocket Fuel, LEAP 2025 will host 680 startups and 2,000 investors, offering mentorship, networking, and training through a Founders Bootcamp and AI-powered matchmaking. Featured investors include STV, Wa’ed Ventures, UBS, and Morgan Stanley, while speakers represent General Atlantic, PIF, and more.
The event underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to be a global startup hub, fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth.