The fifth edition begins at the end of August, bringing together global leaders in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, science and sports; more than 600 startups and 1,900 investors will transform the event from a conference about technology into a marketplace for partnerships and financing ideas

Riyadh | BETH

Riyadh will host the fifth edition of the LEAP technology conference from August 31 to September 3, 2026, at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham, bringing together global business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and specialists in artificial intelligence, gaming, sports and future technologies.

The speaker lineup reflects the expanding scope of technology in this year’s edition. The programme is not limited to software developers and corporate executives; it brings the semiconductor industry, scientific research, investment, sports and entertainment together on one platform.

From Chips to Stadiums

Dr Lisa Su, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of AMD, leads the speaker lineup, reflecting the growing importance of semiconductors and computing infrastructure underpinning artificial intelligence applications and data centres.

She will be joined by theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, one of the world’s most prominent voices in science and future studies; Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga; Rowan Albutairi, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Esports Federation; and former England footballer and sports technology investor Sol Campbell.

The presence of these diverse figures is less surprising than it may initially appear. Modern sport has become an industry built around data, broadcasting, gaming and digital experiences, while artificial intelligence requires chips, investment and markets capable of turning it into products.

LEAP does not merely showcase adjacent sectors; it demonstrates how technology has become the common space in which all sectors converge.

A Temporary Tech City

According to figures published by LEAP, the event is set to bring together more than 1,000 speakers, 1,800 global technology brands, 600 startups and approximately 1,900 investors.

International companies including IBM and Tencent Cloud will participate, alongside investment firms such as General Atlantic, enabling startups to present their products to potential investors, partners and customers in one place.

The fourth edition of DeepFest, dedicated to artificial intelligence, will be held alongside LEAP, covering deep learning, robotics and AI applications across different sectors.

The event will also host the Rocket Fuel startup competition, which offers a grand prize of $1 million, adding a practical track for identifying promising ideas and financing their growth.

What Does Saudi Arabia Want?

LEAP’s economic value does not lie solely in visitor numbers or the size of its speaker lineup. Its greater significance is its use as a gateway to the Saudi market.

Over four days, global companies can meet government entities, investors and potential customers, while Saudi startups gain access to capital, expertise and international markets without leaving Riyadh.

Previous editions have shown that some investors and companies used their participation in LEAP as an entry point for establishing a presence in the Kingdom. The event has also hosted the launch of technology programmes, agreements, funds and initiatives supporting startup development.

However, moving from hosting technology to producing it requires what comes after the conference: research and development centres, specialised jobs, knowledge transfer, sustained financing, and contracts that enable Saudi companies to grow rather than merely display the products of global corporations.

BETH Commentary

The extensive list of speakers and companies gives LEAP its appeal, but it does not alone guarantee economic impact.

A successful event is not simply one that gathers the largest number of prominent names under one roof. It is one that connects the right person to the right idea, the idea to the investor, and the investment to the market—then turns a brief encounter into a company, product or body of knowledge that endures.

The presence of leaders from the semiconductor, artificial intelligence, gaming and sports industries in Riyadh offers a picture of the economy Saudi Arabia seeks to build: one that does not separate technology from industry, entertainment, sports and investment, but makes technology the infrastructure that advances them all.

The true measure of the fifth edition will be what companies announce during the event—and what they implement in the Kingdom after it ends.

LEAP’s success will not be measured by how many people take its stages, but by how many companies, ideas and investments remain in Saudi Arabia after its screens go dark.