February 12, 2025, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: With the debut of LEAP East, a brand-new event scheduled to take place at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from July 9–11, 2026, LEAP, the award-winning and revolutionary tech event that has raised Saudi Arabia's aspirations to become a worldwide innovation hub, is further expanding into Asia.
The inaugural event, which is being organized by Tahaluf, will take place in one of the most vibrant and culturally varied cities in the world, Hong Kong, right in the middle of the global tech markets.
Summary
- Tahaluf, the biggest B2B event planner in Saudi Arabia, has revealed plans to expand continentally in order to become a significant player in the global business.
- LEAP East will act as an accelerator for the start-up economy and a catalyst for global tech innovation.
At LEAP East, over 300 industry experts and 300 exhibitors will debate and showcase multidisciplinary innovations in a range of industries, offering unmatched insights into the future of technology.
Hong Kong Start-Ups Find Opportunities in Saudi Arabia's Modernization
Some of the most well-known tech leaders in Asia have been very supportive of LEAP since its start, pointing out the similarities between Hong Kong and Riyadh as innovators, adopters, incubators, and drivers of technology. John Lee, the CEO of Hong Kong; Shou Chew, the CEO of TikTok; and Dr. Kai Fu Lee, the chairperson and CEO of Sinovation Ventures, have all spoken on LEAP's esteemed main stage before. This strong performance highlights the rapidly expanding economic ties between Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong as both countries continue to establish themselves as thriving international centers of technology.
Danny Tang, CEO of Hero Esports; Cindy Chow, Executive Director & CEO of Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund; and Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Ant International and Ant Group, were among the many Hong Kong speakers at LEAP 2025.
"LEAP East will act as a catalyst for the expansion of the global tech ecosystem and for Saudi Arabia's standing as a global event organizer," stated Faisal AlKhamisi, Chairman of SAFCSP.
"We are bringing LEAP's award-winning vision and world-class innovation into this exciting new Hong Kong venture with this timely and strategic expansion, creating a powerful platform for brands, investors, and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate, and build the future of technology," AlKhamisi said. "LEAP East is a must-attend event for anyone influencing the digital future, as attendees will have the opportunity to interact directly with the top innovators, investors, and industry pioneers worldwide."
LEAP East Expands to Hong Kong, Showcasing Future Tech
Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, predicted that the inaugural event will further advance Hong Kong's reputation as a global tech capital, with LEAP East poised to bring together experts from a variety of fields to explore fintech, gaming, robotics, AI, smart cities, digital transformation, and Web3, among other emerging technologies.
"With a stellar lineup of speakers and an exhibition floor showcasing the newest technological innovations, attendees will get firsthand knowledge of the changing tech landscape," Champion added. With over 200,000 attendees for LEAP 2025, the numbers speak for themselves, and we are building on the success we experienced in Riyadh. In order to influence the direction of innovation, LEAP East will create a vibrant atmosphere where investors, legislators, and tech executives may come together.
Highlights
- The content-rich Orbital tracks, which will explore important topics like fintech and the creative economy and offer in-depth analysis and insights on the most recent industry developments, will be one of LEAP East's highlights.
- DeepFest, which has held three editions in Saudi Arabia, will serve as a center for deep tech, robotics, and artificial intelligence, showcasing innovations and encouraging conversations about how these technologies will transform many industries.
- In the meantime, attendees will get a preview of the future of tech applications through live demos and interactive experiences at LEAP's dedicated Tech Arena, a first-of-its-kind immersive arena.
"Our goal with LEAP East is to propel innovation, promote teamwork, and influence technology globally," stated Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President, Tahaluf. "LEAP East will be an exciting experience at the forefront of technological transformation, marking the first of LEAP's forays outside of its home base of Saudi Arabia."
Immersive Tech and Exclusive Networking in Hong Kong
With exclusive events like LEAP East Nights, networking will be a major part of LEAP East and offer chances to make lasting contacts in some of Hong Kong's most prominent locations. Beyond business, the event will provide a number of motivational experiences that offer a view into the nexus between technology and daily life, such as a completely robotic kitchen, interactive art exhibits, drone racing, and a virtual reality Experience Zone.
Empowering Next-Gen Tech Innovators in Asia
LEAP East's startup program will build on the success of LEAP's four editions in Riyadh by providing new businesses with chances to be noticed, raise capital, and enter new markets. The event will serve as a launching pad for next-generation tech innovators through networking opportunities, mentorship sessions, investor matchmaking, and pitch competitions.
Champion continued, "Hong Kong is a perfect host for this initiative, providing startups with the resources they need to grow their businesses thanks to its strong infrastructure and access to global capital."
With a specially created Investor Programme that offers curated roundtables, workshops, and matchmaking possibilities, LEAP East's investment ecosystem will be a major draw. This program ensures that angel and venture capitalist investors can engage with firms that complement their portfolios. The program, which includes perspectives from over 60 investors, will provide the community with the skills and information required to promote innovative investments.
