LEAP 2026 to bring $14.3T in investor capital to Riyadh
The Core · TL;DR
- LEAP 2026 runs August 31 to September 3 in Riyadh, its fifth edition, expecting 1,000+ investors managing $14.3 trillion in assets
- The Rocket Fuel competition awards $1 million in equity-free funding to a cohort of roughly 100 startups chosen from over 3,000 applicants
- LEAP 2025 generated $14.9 billion in announced investment deals; Saudi startup Ejari's LEAP-sourced $400,000 funding illustrates the program's track record
- New additions for 2026 include the Ecosystem Xchange platform and an AI-powered matchmaking tool built into the LEAP app
LEAP 2026 returns to Riyadh from August 31 to September 3, 2026, marking the fifth edition of the tech and investment conference that has grown into one of the Gulf region's largest startup gatherings.
Organizers expect more than 1,000 investors representing over 900 firms to attend, with combined assets under management of $14.3 trillion. That scale builds on LEAP 2025, which closed with $14.9 billion in announced investment deals.
Who's attending
The investor roster includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, General Atlantic, HUMAIN, Aramco Ventures, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, STV, 500 Global, Gobi Partners, MSA Capital, and several regional funds including Merak Finance, Impact Finance, Sunabl Investments, and Rayed Ventures.
On the startup side, participants named so far include Think AI, Zinki AI, Annot8, EleeN, Uvera, WriteNow AI, DuoKey, and AtomicaA.
The Rocket Fuel competition
A centerpiece of the event is the Rocket Fuel competition, which brings together roughly 100 startups from more than 40 countries, spanning 12 primary sectors and over 60 subsectors. The cohort is whittled down from over 3,000 global applicants.
Winners share $1 million in funding, and organizers note the prize comes without any equity stake taken in return.
Saudi startup Ejari offers a preview of what that funding pipeline can produce. The company first connected with an investor at LEAP 2023, secured $400,000 in investment, and used it to expand across Saudi Arabia. Ejari is returning to LEAP 2026.
New this year
The 2026 edition introduces Ecosystem Xchange, a platform designed to help companies navigate market entry, prepare for investment rounds, and plan local and international expansion.
Attendees will also get access to an AI-powered matching system built into the LEAP app, intended to help founders, investors, and companies locate relevant contacts and business opportunities across the conference.
LEAP 2026 runs at its usual Riyadh venue over four days, positioning the event as both a deal-making forum and a showcase for early-stage companies seeking capital and market access across the Middle East and beyond.
Original reporting and research used to synthesize this article.
WAKIB Editorial Team
This review was prepared and summarized by the WAKIB AI intelligence engine and vetted by our editorial board for accuracy and reliability.
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