LEAP East Launches in Hong Kong with Strong Government and Tech Industry Support
LEAP East is set to make its debut in Hong Kong from July 8-10, 2026, marking a significant expansion of the global technology platform into the Asia Pacific region. The event has secured strong backing from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and key regional technology leaders, positioning Hong Kong as a strategic gateway connecting Asia and the Middle East.
Headquartered in Riyadh, LEAP has established itself as one of the world’s most impactful technology platforms, generating more than USD 820 million in economic impact and attracting global technology leaders, investors and policymakers. Building on this success, LEAP East represents the platform’s first regional edition in Asia Pacific, with Hong Kong selected as the natural home for this strategic expansion.
Government Partnership Strengthens LEAP East Foundation
The Innovation Technology and Industry Bureau of the HKSAR Government has agreed to serve as the Hong Kong Government Partner of LEAP East. This partnership, alongside Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), reflects a shared commitment to deepen cross-regional collaboration across advanced technologies, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence and fintech.
“We warmly welcome the first ever LEAP East to be staged in Hong Kong, the best springboard for overseas enterprises to take a leap forward bringing their products and services to the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, other areas of the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asian markets.”
Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government
The event will be hosted at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and co-organised by MCIT, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity Programming and Drones (SAFCSP) and Tahaluf. It is designed as a meeting point for companies scaling internationally, investors seeking growth opportunities and governments shaping the future of technology policy.
Institutional Support from Key Hong Kong Organizations
Beyond government participation, LEAP East has attracted support from institutions that play central roles in Hong Kong’s economic and innovation ecosystem. The Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has joined as a Supporting Partner, highlighting the event’s relevance for large-scale enterprises seeking to understand the policy landscape and market dynamics in Hong Kong and the wider region.
Additional Supporting Partners include the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai, the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund, the FinTech Association of Hong Kong, and HKAI Lab. This diverse institutional presence reflects the breadth of public and private sector engagement behind the event and its positioning at the intersection of capital, innovation, and enterprise growth.
Global Technology Leaders Confirmed as Speakers
Speaker confirmations continue to underline the international scope of the event, bringing together leaders from some of the world’s most influential technology hubs. Newly announced speakers include:
- Carol Lin, CEO International of Zhipu AI, one of China’s leading artificial intelligence companies
- Kai Wu, Chief Revenue Officer of Airwallex, the global payments and financial platform
- Shunsuke Okada, Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer of Toshiba
- Michael Spranger, President of Sony AI, leading global research at the intersection of AI and creativity
- Ivana Bartoletti, Chief Privacy Officer at Wipro
- Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine
Connecting Middle East and Asian Innovation Ecosystems
Building on four successful editions in Riyadh, with the fifth taking place in April 2026, LEAP East will bring a powerful startup and investment programme to Hong Kong. The event aims to support emerging companies, accelerate investor connections and open routes into new markets across the Middle East and Asia, putting Saudi Arabia’s fast-growing digital economy in direct conversation with Asia’s leading innovation hubs.
“Hong Kong gives LEAP a new vantage point. It brings together capital, talent and policy in a way that supports meaningful growth. LEAP East is not simply an expansion of the platform; it marks the beginning of a network designed to shape how the Middle East and Asia engage on technology and investment in the years ahead.”
Annabelle Mander, Executive Vice President and co-creator of LEAP at Tahaluf
