$14.3 Trillion in Investor Assets Head to Riyadh

More than 1,000 investors representing over 900 firms and a combined $14.3 trillion in assets under management are expected in Riyadh for LEAP 2026, highlighting the Saudi capital’s growing role as a destination for global technology investment.

The fifth edition of LEAP will take place from August 31 to September 3, bringing together sovereign wealth funds, venture capital firms, technology companies, startups and institutional investors.

LEAP 2025 generated $14.9 billion in investment announcements. This year’s programme is placing greater emphasis on connecting investors with startups and companies seeking to scale.

The event will feature an Investor Stage alongside scheduled one-to-one meetings between startups and investors. An expanded matchmaking programme will also connect fund managers, capital providers, exhibitors and other participants.

AI-powered matchmaking through the LEAP app will allow attendees to identify potential investors, founders and business partners based on their interests.

Other initiatives include Ecosystem Xchange, which will focus on market access, investment readiness and cross-border cooperation, while LEAP Connect will provide a dedicated networking platform. Rocket Fuel will connect selected startups with venture capital firms, institutional investors and strategic partners.

Major investors expected to attend include Public Investment Fund (PIF), General Atlantic, HUMAIN, Aramco Ventures, 500 Global, Sanabil Investments, Raed Ventures, J.P. Morgan, STV, Morgan Stanley and others.

Rocket Fuel will feature 100 startups selected from more than 3,000 applications worldwide. Representing more than 40 nationalities and 12 sectors, the finalists will compete for $1 million in equity-free funding.

LEAP organisers said the event has also helped startups secure investment and expand commercially, citing Saudi company Ejari, which connected with an investor at LEAP 2023 before securing $400,000 in funding.