LEAP 2025, Saudi Arabia’s premier global technology event, is set to welcome a wave of next-generation innovations as entrepreneurs, startups, and tech leaders from around the world converge in Riyadh. With over 170,000 attendees expected, the event promises to be a global showcase of cutting-edge advancements that push the boundaries of what’s possible in technology.
A key highlight of this year’s edition is the introduction of the Tech Arena—an immersive, ‘live TV’ platform designed to spark curiosity, encourage collaboration, and demonstrate the transformative potential of groundbreaking technologies. Running from February 9-12 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre in Malham, LEAP 2025 will bring together major enterprises, emerging startups, and industry leaders under the theme ‘The Future of Tech.’
The Tech Arena will offer an interactive experience where visitors can engage with the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and healthcare technology. Attendees will witness firsthand how these innovations are shaping industries, from AI-driven healthcare solutions to futuristic wearable technology. Leading global companies such as Aramco, L’Oréal, Adobe, Ericsson, Alwaleed Philanthropies, XAR Labs, Devoteam, and Engine VR will take part, offering a glimpse into the most revolutionary developments in their respective fields.
Designed to place visitors at the forefront of technological breakthroughs, the Tech Arena will feature live demonstrations and expert-led sessions, hosted by BBC Click’s Lara Lewington and Spencer Kelly. The arena will spotlight a variety of pioneering fields, including AI, mixed reality, brain-computer interfaces, and fashion tech. Among the standout exhibits, renowned designer Anouk Wipprecht will showcase her Tech Couture collection, merging robotics with high fashion. Adobe will present ‘Project Primrose,’ an innovative digital dress with programmable textiles that can change designs instantly, setting the stage for a future of customizable, wearable technology.
The event will also shine a light on advancements in healthcare, particularly through AI-driven solutions. Terra Drone, supported by Aramco, will display its long-range medical delivery technology, designed to transport critical medical supplies to remote locations. Another highlight from Aramco is SARA (Saudi Aramco Robotics Assistant), an AI-powered assistant designed to streamline decision-making and enhance human-machine interaction in industrial environments.
For fitness and entertainment enthusiasts, US-based Engine VR will introduce its Golden Gloves VR platform, an immersive, gamified boxing experience that leverages virtual reality to simulate real-world training. UFC professional fighter Andrew Sanchez will conduct live demonstrations, allowing attendees to experience the interactive technology firsthand.
The Tech Arena will also feature innovative solutions aimed at tackling environmental challenges. Alwaleed Philanthropies, a Saudi NGO dedicated to global humanitarian initiatives, will present Atlai, an AI-powered reporting tool developed to monitor and combat deforestation worldwide. By using advanced AI technology, Atlai generates real-time reports on deforestation events, helping environmental advocates take action to protect the world’s forests.
Another game-changing technology on display will be XPANCEO’s smart contact lenses. These lightweight, high-tech lenses integrate computing power directly into a wearable device, offering users a seamless augmented reality (AR) experience. The company’s co-founder, Dr. Valentyn Volkov, emphasized the significance of the Tech Arena in unveiling such innovations, stating that LEAP 2025 provides the perfect platform to introduce their latest AR vision technology to a global audience.
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President of Tahaluf, the co-organizer of LEAP alongside the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones (SAFCSP), highlighted the opportunities the Tech Arena presents for startups and innovators worldwide. She emphasized that the event offers a rare chance for emerging tech companies to engage with industry professionals, investors, and technology enthusiasts while receiving real-time feedback on their groundbreaking solutions.
Mander further noted that the introduction of the Tech Arena aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering innovation and positioning itself as a global technology leader. By providing a platform for entrepreneurs and businesses to connect with investors and industry experts, LEAP 2025 will drive forward Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a hub for cutting-edge technological advancements.
In addition to the Tech Arena, LEAP 2025 will introduce a new stage dedicated to SportsTech, further expanding its impact across multiple industries. These new segments underscore LEAP’s mission to inspire, innovate, and push the limits of what technology can achieve, ensuring that both the event and Saudi Arabia remain at the forefront of global technological advancement.