The best brains in the tech industry have converged in Saudi Arabia to tackle global socio-cultural challenges.
LEAP 2022, the largest debut technology event ever, got underway at the Riyadh Front expo centre yesterday (Feb 1).
Attending the three-day event are thousands of pioneers, innovators and disruptors from across the world who will explore and engage with the latest in technology.
With 350 speakers from 80 countries, 1,000 start-ups and around 100,000 visitors participating, the event has been dubbed the “Digital Davos”, which will underscore Saudi Arabia’s massive push for digital transformation.
Successful tech entrepreneurs and trailblazers are expected to share their inspirational stories, while start-ups will have the chance to participate in a major competition.
“Technology and innovation have enormous potential to transform economies and societies,” said Saudi Minister of Communications and Technology Abdullah Alswaha.
“We live in a time where you either leap or be left behind,” he added.
Leap 2022 gets underway in Riyadhhttps://t.co/T7EQxxY5gv#KSA #Saudi #SaudiArabia #LEAP2022 #Riyadh pic.twitter.com/ho64LghDw5
— Gulf Daily News (@GDNonline) February 3, 2022
The highlight of the event is a competition for hundreds of start-ups giving them a chance to pitch their solutions in front of regional and international powerhouse investors to secure recognition and all-important funding.
LEAP’s Rocket Fuel Start-up Competition will have four categories and an award for each one. The entrants will be divided but size, scale, impact on society, funding amount, years in business and number of employees.
The applicants will take the stage for six minutes – a three-minute pitch followed by a three-minute Q&A session – in front of a panel of major global investors and entrepreneurs.
The top 10 competitors will proceed to the grand finale on Thursday (Feb 3) for one of four top awards.
The Shooting Star Award is for start-up beginners, with the winner taking home $150,000 and the runner-up $100,000. The Technology for Humanity Award (winner: $150,000, runner-up $100,000) is the start-up that best embodies the spirit of LEAP “technology for humanity” , while the Aviatrix Award (winner: $150,000, runner-up $100,000) is for the most innovative start-up pioneers by women founders .
The $250,000 LEAP Award will be given to the strongest, most outstanding start-up across the whole competition.
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