Saudi Arabia’s LEAP Tech Conference Expands to Asia with 2026 Edition in Hong Kong

LEAP, Saudi Arabia’s premier technology event, is set to make its international debut in 2026 with a new Asia-Pacific edition in Hong Kong. Organised by Tahaluf in partnership with global investment firm ewpartners, LEAP East will take place from July 8–10, 2026, marking the first time the event will be held outside the Kingdom.

The announcement was made at LEAP 2025 in Riyadh and coincided with the opening of ewpartners’ new Hong Kong office, attended by over 100 senior officials and executives from Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. The move signals Saudi Arabia’s growing strategic engagement with Asia and positions Hong Kong as a critical hub for Middle Eastern tech collaboration with the region.

“By bringing LEAP to Hong Kong, we are creating a new platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and businesses to connect and innovate on a global scale,” said Faisal AlKhamisi, chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP).

LEAP East is expected to draw more than 25,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors, and over 200 speakers. Industry leaders confirmed for the event include Luanne Lim, CEO of HSBC Hong Kong; Jeanne Lim, co-creator of Sophia the Robot; and Harry Man, founding partner at Matrix Partners. The conference will span key sectors such as artificial intelligence, fintech, healthtech, and deeptech, and will feature dedicated investment zones, startup showcases, and exclusive networking sessions, including “LEAP East Nights.”

Officials in Hong Kong welcomed the initiative as a major boost to the city’s innovation landscape. “LEAP East could serve as a dynamic bridge between Hong Kong and the Middle East,” said Peter Yan, director general of Hong Kong’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). “It empowers enterprises to co-develop innovations and unlock new market opportunities.”

LEAP was launched in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and SAFCSP. The 2025 edition drew over 215,000 visitors and generated nearly $15 billion in announced deals.

“After four record-breaking years in Riyadh, we’re ready to take LEAP global,” said Annabelle Mander, executive vice president at Tahaluf. “Hong Kong offers the perfect launchpad for expanding LEAP’s vision across Asia.”

Jessica Wong, founder of ewpartners, added, “Our partnership with Tahaluf reflects our mission to unlock opportunities between the Middle East and Asia. Hong Kong’s connectivity and global reach make it the ideal home for LEAP East.”

The new edition aims to replicate the impact of its Riyadh counterpart, further positioning Hong Kong as a nexus for global tech innovation and cross-border partnerships.