LEAP Tech Event
{{Short description|Tech conference}}
{{infobox convention
| name = LEAP Tech Event
| logo = Leap Tech Event Logo.svg
| image = LEAP_Tech_Event_2024.jpg
|caption = 2024 LEAP Tech Event
|image_size = 350
| status = Active
| genre = Technology
| venue = Malham, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| location = Riyadh
| country = Saudi Arabia
| coordinates = {{Coord|25|15|5.8|N|46|23|12.98|E|display=inline,title}}
| first = 1–3 February 2022
| last = 4–7 March 2024
| founders = MCIT, SAFCSP, Tahaluf
| attendance = 100,000+ (2022)
172,000+ (2023)
215,000+ (2024)
| website = {{url|onegiantleap.com}}
}}
LEAP is an annual tech event that was founded in 2022 by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Saudi Arabia) (MCIT), the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) and Tahaluf, an Informa company. The event was hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.{{cite web |date=26 October 2021 |title=Supersized Saudi Arabia tech event promises a giant Leap for mankind |url=https://wired.me/business/supersized-saudi-arabia-tech-event-promises-a-giant-leap-for-mankind/}}{{cite web |date=2 February 2022 |title=In pics: Day one at Saudi's largest-ever tech event LEAP22 |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/in-pics-day-one-at-saudis-largest-ever-tech-event-leap22/}}{{cite web |date=19 November 2021 |title=Saudi Arabia to host biggest ever technology event in February |url=https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/613780}}{{Cite web |last=Mansoor |first=Zainab |date=2023-03-01 |title=How LEAP is positioning Saudi Arabia as a technology hub |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/how-leap-is-positioning-saudi-as-a-tech-hub/,%20https://gulfbusiness.com/how-leap-is-positioning-saudi-as-a-tech-hub/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Cover Story: How Informa Markets is putting the Middle East region on the global map |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/cover-story-how-informa-markets-is-putting-the-middle-east-region-on-the-global-map/}}
The conference’s topics include Fintech, Edutech, Smart Cities, Health technology, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), Creative Economy, Future Energy, Gaming, Space, Retail and Artificial Intelligence (AI).{{Cite web |date=2023-01-15 |title=LEAP 2023: Second edition of major tech conference to take place in Riyadh |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/business/technology/2023/01/15/LEAP-2022-Second-edition-of-major-tech-conference-to-take-place-in-Riyadh |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}
DeepFest, the region's AI event is co-located with LEAP as it's LEAP's dedicated AI stream. DeepFest is powered by Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) and organized by Tahaluf.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-09 |title=LEAP 2024: Navigating the future of technology with a focus on AI |url=http://cdn.saudigazette.com.sa/article/640311/SAUDI-ARABIA/LEAP-2024-Navigating-the-future-of-technology-with-a-focus-on-AI |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Saudigazette |language=English}}{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Marisha |date=2024-03-05 |title=TikTok, Zoom and Mohammad the Humanoid Robot headline DeepFest opener |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/tiktok-zoom-mohammad-the-humanoid-robot-headline-deepfest/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |language=en-US}}
History
LEAP was founded by Informa Tech, SAFCSP and MCIT, and the first event was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 1–3 February 2022. The event noticed over 100,000 visitors in the period of three days.{{cite web |title='LEAP' tech conference in Riyadh enters second day |date=2 February 2022|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2016656/business-economy}}
About 700 tech companies, 330 investors, and 500 CEOs and tech experts participated in LEAP 2022. The event tallied to over $6.4 billion worth of initiatives and programs.{{cite web |title=Tech-savvy Saudi youth key to Kingdom's leap into digital economy: Huawei exec |url=https://www.arabnews.com/LEAP22}}{{cite web |title=LEAP22: Saudi Arabia unveils over $6.4bn in technology and startup investments |date=2 February 2022|url=https://gulfbusiness.com/leap22-saudi-arabia-unveils-over-6-4bn-in-technology-and-startup-investment/}}{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia's debut tech event Leap22 sets new record |date=23 February 2022|url=https://businesschief.eu/technology/saudi-arabias-debut-tech-event-leap22-sets-new-record}}{{cite web |title=How technology will inevitably play an important role in Saudi Arabia |date=11 March 2022|url=https://gulfbusiness.com/how-technology-will-inevitably-play-an-important-role-in-saudi-arabia/}}
The event also conducted its "Rocket Fuel Start-up Competition" where altogether a million USD was awarded to promising start-ups.{{cite web |title=Startups to compete at Saudi Arabia's LEAP event |date=17 January 2022 |url=https://punchng.com/startups-to-compete-at-saudi-arabias-leap-event/}} The event also hosted the world's largest Kaleidoscope with a length of 40-meter.{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia installed the world's largest kaleidoscope |url=https://planetofhotels.com/guide/en/blog/saudi-arabia-installed-worlds-largest-kaleidoscope}}{{cite web |title=You can now step inside the world's largest kaleidoscope in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.timeout.com/news/you-can-now-step-inside-the-worlds-largest-kaleidoscope-in-saudi-arabia-021522}}{{cite web |title=LEAP: The Kaleidoscope Informa |url=https://stufish.com/project/leap-the-kaleidoscope/}}
LEAP 2023, the second edition of the annual tech event took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 6-9 February, 2023. Over the four days, LEAP hosted more than 172,000 visitors, 900 exhibitors, 700 speakers who spoke on 11 stages from 50 countries, 500 start-ups, and 1026 investors with a combined AUM of 2 trillion.{{Cite web |title=Over 700 Speakers from Around the World to Participate in Leap Conference 2023 in Riyadh {{!}} Ministry of Communications and Information Technology |url=https://www.mcit.gov.sa/en/news/over-700-speakers-around-world-participate-leap-conference-2023-riyadh |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=www.mcit.gov.sa}}{{Cite web |last=SPA |date=2023-01-15 |title=Global Tech Event "LEAP" Returns with Second Edition in Presence of over 700 Speakers, 900 Companies |url=https://www.fananews.com/en/global-tech-event-leap-returns-with-second-edition-in-presence-of-over-700-speakers-900-companies/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=Fana News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Mansoor |first=Zainab |date=2023-03-01 |title=How LEAP is positioning Saudi Arabia as a technology hub |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/how-leap-is-positioning-saudi-as-a-tech-hub/,%20https://gulfbusiness.com/how-leap-is-positioning-saudi-as-a-tech-hub/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Nair |first=Arya M. |title=LEAP 2023 becomes largest global gathering with attendance of 172,000 people - GCC Business News |url=https://www.gccbusinessnews.com/leap-2023-becomes-largest-global-gathering-with-attendance-of-172000-people/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=www.gccbusinessnews.com |language=en-US}}
At LEAP 2023, six start-ups have won a share of a $1 million prize fund at Rocket Fuel, the start-up pitch competition. Some of the notable companies in attendance included Hiroshi Ishiguro, Magic Keys, bHaptics, and Mirror.
LEAP 2024, the third edition of the annual tech event took place in Malham, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 4 to 7 March 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Innovative minds descend on Riyadh to explore opportunities in tech sector |url=https://arab.news/rtkvq |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Arab News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Top Tech Investors to Participate in 3rd Edition of LEAP in Riyadh |url=https://english.aawsat.com/node/4876266 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=english.aawsat.com |language=en}} Over the four days, LEAP hosted more than 215,000 visitors,{{Cite news |date=2024-03-08 |title=LEAP conference in Riyadh notches up $13.4 bn in investment and launch deals this year - Arabian Business |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/technology/leap-conference-in-riyadh-notches-up-13-4-bn-in-investment-and-launch-deals-this-year |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=Arabian Business |language=en-US}} 1,800 exhibitors, 1,100 speakers who spoke on 10 stages and 19 tracks, more than 600 start-ups, 1,600 investors with a combined AUM of $4.89 trillion,{{Cite web |title=LEAP 2024 economic impact in Riyadh hits... |url=http://sharikatmubasher.com/news/article/21404916/LEAP-2024-economic-impact-in-Riyadh-hits-$500mn?companyNews=0 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Sharikat Mubasher |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=AI Governance Association inks three dea... |url=http://sharikatmubasher.com/news/news/article/21404129/AI-Governance-Association-inks-three-deals-at-LEAP-2024?companyNews=0 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Sharikat Mubasher |language=en}} and between $11.9 billion and $13.4 billion announced as an investment.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-03 |title=Innovative minds descend on Riyadh to explore opportunities in tech sector |url=https://arab.news/rtkvq |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Arab News |language=en}}{{Cite news |title=LEAP 2024 investments to exceed $11.9 billion |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/saudi-arabia/2024/03/05/LEAP-2024-investments-to-exceed-11-9-billion |work=Alarabiya}}
At LEAP 2024, six start ups won a share of a $1 million prize fund at the third Rocket Fuel, the start-up pitch competition.{{Cite web |last=Salian |first=Neesha |date=2024-02-28 |title=Leap 2024: Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition ups the stake for startups |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/leap-to-hold-2nd-rocket-fuel-pitch-competition/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sertin |first=Carla |date=2024-03-01 |title=Startups will compete for top prizes at LEAP 2024 |url=https://wired.me/business/startups-compete-at-leap-2024/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=WIRED Middle East |language=en-GB}} Some of the notable companies in attendance included AbuErdan, One Verse, Ubilite, NewTrace, Next Generation, Hyperlume and Lisan AI.{{Cite web |title=LEAP 2024 notable companies in attendance |url=https://files.onegiantleap.com/files/2024-03/Rocket%20Fuel%20Start-up%20Competition%20Semi%20Final%20Results%20(3).pdf?VersionId=xkBMxeI_3cRaSk8Dn10VKu8SQQSmlHDm&_gl=1*bs40y9*_gcl_au*Mjc2MzQ5MTE3LjE3MTIxODQ4Mjg.&_ga=2.73803730.1340164622.1712184830-473419147.1712184829}}
Speakers and partners
The speaking panel has included many top-level executives, government officials, sportspersons, and subject matter experts, including Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Börje Ekholm, Peggy Johnson, Stephane Houdet, Eugene Kaspersky, Michel Salgado, Christian Klein, Makaziwe Mandela, Maëlle Gavet,{{cite web |title=Ericson Leap |date=4 January 2022|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/events/leap-2022}}{{cite web |title=Saudi Arabia's debut tech event Leap22 sets new record |date=23 February 2022|url=https://businesschief.eu/technology/saudi-arabias-debut-tech-event-leap22-sets-new-record}}{{cite web |title=Stellar speaker line-up at Leap conference in Riyadh |date=27 January 2022|url=https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/616395/SAUDI-ARABIA/Stellar-speaker-line-up-at-Leap-conference-in-Riyadh}} Susan Kilrain, Sian Proctor,{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Divsha |date=2023-02-06 |title=LEAP23: Second edition of technology event opens today in Riyadh |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-to-host-second-edition-of-leap-in-february/,%20https://gulfbusiness.com/saudi-to-host-second-edition-of-leap-in-february/ |access-date=2023-03-27 |language=en-US}} Karren Brady, Steven Bartlett,{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Entrepreneur Middle East |date=2022-11-08 |title=Talking Shop With LEAP 2023 Speakers Baroness Karren Brady, Gitanjali Rao, And Steven Bartlett |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/en-ae/growth-strategies/three-speakers-you-dont-want-to-miss-at-leap-2023-talking/438626 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=Entrepreneur |language=en}} Bill McDermott, Arvind Krishna, Heather Mohanan, Shou Zi Chew, Eric Yuan, Anne Neuberger, Mo Gawdat, Adam Selipsky, Sol Rashidi, Ciku Mugembi, Dr. Omar Hatamleh, Jordi Van Den Bussche (Kwebbelkop) and Elizabeth Adams.{{Cite web |title=LEAP 2024 returns to Riyadh with sharpened focus on generative artificial intelligence (GAI) |url=https://teletimesinternational.com/2024/leap-2024-with-focus-on-genai/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=teletimesinternational.com}}{{Cite web |date=2024-02-09 |title=LEAP 2024: Navigating the future of technology with a focus on AI |url=http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/640311/SAUDI-ARABIA/LEAP-2024-Navigating-the-future-of-technology-with-a-focus-on-AI |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Saudigazette |language=English}}
LEAP's sponsors and partners include venture capitalists, Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, education institutes and start-ups, including Microsoft, Cisco, SAP SE, Citrix, IBM, Zoom, Hitachi, Ericsson, Huawei,{{cite web |title=Saudi's largest-ever tech event, LEAP, to take place in February |date=26 January 2022|url=https://gulfbusiness.com/saudis-largest-ever-tech-event-leap-to-take-place-in-february/}}{{cite web |title=Microsoft's new Surface devices empower the modern workplace |date=23 February 2022|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2030691/corporate-news}}{{cite web |title=AT LEAP IN RIYADH, SAP SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH STC FOR ENHANCED SERVICES AND DIGITAL SOLUTIONS |url=https://uaenews247.com/tag/leap22/}} PWC, Aramco, Tonomus, Deloitte IPERA, Google, Meta, Mobily, STC, Amazon Web Services, ServiceNow, TikTok and Cloudflare.{{Cite web |last=Kahil |first=Nadine |date=2024-03-05 |title=LEAP 2024 unveils almost $13 billion in tech investments |url=https://wired.me/technology/leap-2024-13-billion-in-tech-investments/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=WIRED Middle East |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=LEAP’s final day sees multiple deals, announcements |url=https://arab.news/5rny6 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Arab News |language=en}}