Saudi Arabia’s global award-winning tech event LEAP is poised to break new ground when a newly enriched and revamped fourth edition returns from Feb. 9-12, 2025 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham.

Being held under the theme “Into New Worlds,” LEAP 2025 will be the pioneering tech event’s first ticketed outing to date, encompassing a higher percentage of influential industry attendees to elevate business networking and investment opportunities across the technology landscape.

LEAP 2025 is co-organized by Tahaluf and the Ministry for Communications and Information Technology — a joint venture between Informa PLC, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones and Events Investment Fund. The event will deliver advanced features, including a new series of “LEAP Nights” activities, the return of DeepFest, a dedicated Tech Arena, a SportsTech Track and a commitment to hosting and enhancing innovation across multiple sectors such as space, gaming, education, and smart cities, over 20 stages.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha said: “LEAP has made an outstanding contribution to the realization of the Saudi Vision 2030 goals and has rightly positioned the country as a global technology hub. The decision to move to a ticketed format this year makes LEAP more of an exclusive experience for attendees and relevant to today’s global technology elite. LEAP 2025 will showcase exceptional technology innovations, business opportunities and content — ensuring Saudi Arabia becomes the world’s undisputed technology aggregator.”

Tahaluf expects the fourth edition to witness a surge in interactions between exhibitors and visitors, as LEAP 2025 guests will engage with more than 680 startups, 1000-plus expert speakers, and over 1,800 global tech brands.

LEAP 2025 will feature more exclusive experiences for attendees with the focus on connecting the right people with the world’s latest and most exciting technologies.

A new SportsTech Track will see the world of sports meet the latest tech trends. Attendees will be able to step into the future of sports and experience live demos, industry announcements, and the latest technology innovations from clubs, industry leaders, and pioneers of the sector. Confirmed speakers include Patrice Evra, the successful entrepreneur and former Manchester United forward and France national team captain, who makes his return to LEAP, as well as Mathieu Pierre Flamini, also a former French professional footballer and co-founder of GF Biochemicals.

The Tech Arena is also a new addition for LEAP 2025, where attendees will witness live product demos, get hands-on with prototypes, and see cutting-edge technology in action. The Tech Arena will host a lineup of interactive engagements, connecting participants directly with tomorrow’s breakthrough technologies and innovations.

The Startup Stage will see LEAP dedicate a platform to the brightest innovators and startups. Whether attendees are pitching, networking, or exploring, the Startup Stage will be the place where ideas take flight, and the future of tech unfolds. 

LEAP 2025 is expanding beyond the convention halls this year with LEAP Nights. Attendees can immerse themselves in Riyadh’s vibrant cultural scene, with an exciting lineup of dinners, meetups, and live entertainment. LEAP Nights will provide participants with the perfect backdrop for networking, socializing, and soaking in the city’s pulse — all whilst forging new connections across the global tech community. 

Faisal Alkhamisi, chairman of the SAFCP, said the new LEAP 2025 initiatives reflected the event’s role in mirroring the rapid pace of tech industry developments and hinted at even more to come.

“Over the past three years, LEAP has evolved at a rocket-fueled pace, playing a critical role in nurturing talent, creativity, and investment. Yet, this is just the beginning. LEAP will continue to reflect the ever-changing tech landscape and inspire pioneers from across the globe,” he said.

Michael Champion, CEO of Tahaluf, Saudi Arabia’s largest B2B event organizer and organizer of iconic brands LEAP, Cityscape, and Black Hat MEA, added: “By transforming LEAP, we are creating a more curated experience. Transitioning to a ticketed model will allow exhibitors and participants to benefit from direct access to a highly engaged and laser-focused audience, leading to more meaningful collaborations and business opportunities. This change reflects our commitment to delivering an event that continues to set the gold standard for tech innovation globally.”

Stake, a leading global digital real estate investment platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, has announced their official launch in the Kingdom. As the first platform regulated by the Capital Market Authority to afford individuals outside of the Kingdom the opportunity to invest into Saudi real estate, Stake is set to transform the investment landscape in the Kingdom.

In partnership with prominent developer Al-Rajhi Seventh, or RJ7, Stake has carefully selected an income-generating commercial building located in North Riyadh for its inaugural fund on the platform. As part of its launch, Stake has partnered with Mulkia Investment Company, a leading Saudi asset management firm. The collaboration focuses on establishing private real estate funds tailored for the Saudi market. These funds, managed by Mulkia and distributed through Stake’s digital platform, aim to lower the barrier to entry and make real estate investing into quality assets more accessible. Together, Stake and Mulkia will offer a robust pipeline of real estate opportunities, ranging from residential to commercial properties, all aligned with Vision 2030’s economic transformation goals.

Stake empowers investors with digital access to curated, Shariah-compliant real estate investments starting from as little as SR500 ($133) via its app. With a mission to democratize real estate ownership, Stake has already built a global community of over 800,000 users. Saudi Arabia’s dynamic and rapidly expanding economy plays a pivotal role in Stake’s strategic decision to enter the market. The Kingdom is forecasted to grow by 4.6 percent in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing economies among G20 nations.

“Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of Stake’s vision to redefine real estate investment,” said Manar Mahmassani, co-founder and co-CEO at Stake. “The Kingdom’s thriving economy and Vision 2030 initiative align perfectly with our mission to provide inclusive and borderless access to high-potential property markets. By entering Saudi Arabia, we are inviting investors worldwide to participate in its exciting growth story.”

At the helm of Stake’s Saudi operations is Hanouf bin Saeed, a financial industry veteran with over 17 years of experience. Her remarkable track record includes driving Riyad Bank’s non-bank financial institutions portfolio growth from SR1 billion to SR12 billion during her tenure. bin Saeed said: “Stake’s vision is revolutionary. By creating an ecosystem of trust and innovation, we are enabling individuals to build wealth like never before. I am honored to lead this mission in Saudi Arabia and look forward to shaping the future of real estate investment in the Kingdom.”

In June, Stake announced a $14 million Series A funding from top-tier investors like Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest VC’s, Mubadala Investment Company, Abu Dhabi’s Sovereign Investor and Al-Jomaih Holding, one of Saudi Arabia’s largest family conglomerates. Earlier this year, Stake was named as one of the top startups in 2024 by LinkedIn, and listed in the 2024 Top 100 Global Fintech list by CB Insights.

Stake is poised to redefine real estate investment in the Kingdom and beyond. The platform’s innovative approach to real estate ownership, transparency, and accessibility has the potential to bring about a change in how investors interact with property markets.