LEAP to gather the best minds in technology to tackle global challenges

Saudi Arabia will host LEAP, the world’s largest technology event, in February 2022, bringing together the global technology community under one roof to address the world’s most pressing socio-cultural concerns.

LEAP is set to become a truly global platform for the entire innovation ecosystem, connecting pioneers and disruptors with business and government leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and more to experience and learn about the technologies of the future. It will take place in Riyadh from the 1st to the 3rd of February 2022.

Commenting on the event, His Excellency Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said: Technology and innovation have enormous potential to transform economies and societies. We live in a time where you either leap or be left behind. We are proud to host LEAP to help the region lead and leapfrog with technology and innovation”.

“Informa are delighted to have launched LEAP in Saudi Arabia. It is clear to us that with the enormous technology projects happening in the country, there is no hub in the world better placed to host such an amazing event,” said Mike Champion, Regional Executive Vice President of Informa Markets, the largest events company in the world.

He added, “In its first year, LEAP will be the largest debut technology event in history, and there can be no better evidence than that to prove Saudi Arabia is a future global technology hub.”

The event will welcome speakers from all around the world; including Eugene Kaspersky, CEO and co-founder, Kaspersky; Raghu Raghuram, CEO, VMware; Maelle Gavet, CEO, Techstars; Youngcho Chi, President and Chief Innovation Officer, Hyundai Motor Group; Peggy Johnson, CEO, Magic Leap; Nnenna Nwakanma, Chief Web Advocate, World Wide Web Foundation and Siim Sikkut, Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO), Estonia. Experts from the region will join them; including Eng. Olayan M. Alwetaid, Group CEO, STC; Eng. Salman Al Badran, CEO, Mobily;Ghinwa Baradhi, CIO MENAT region for HSBC and Sky Kurtz, founder and CEO at Pure Harvest.

LEAP will also feature inspirational stories from renowned entrepreneur Steven Bartlett, BBC’s youngest ever Dragon, and football stars Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo.

Over 700 rising technology start-ups are preparing to exhibit their solutions to the globe as global technology giants prepare to join in one of the region’s most anticipated events. LEAP is sponsored by top local and international firms such as Microsoft, CISCO, KPMG, SoftwareAG, Nutanix, STC, Zain, Mobily, and Ericsson, who will work together as key partners to bring this event to reality.

The application period for LEAP is now open. In the next months, further keynote speaker announcements will be made.