Tahaluf, the driving force behind globally acclaimed tech events such as LEAP, Black Hat, and Cityscape, has joined forces with ewpartners, a leading global investment firm specializing in bridging Asia and the Middle East, to launch LEAP East, the Asia-Pacific edition of Saudi Arabia’s flagship technology event.
The groundbreaking event will take place from July 8–10, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
This marks the first international expansion of LEAP, signaling Saudi Arabia’s deepening strategic ties with Asia and positioning Hong Kong as the official host city for LEAP East.
The move reflects the Kingdom’s growing focus on regional collaboration and innovation exchange with key Asian markets.
Read: LEAP 2025: One giant leap toward tech’s future
Hong Kong: The new crossroads for tech and investment
With its advanced financial system, world-class exhibition infrastructure, and unique “One Country, Two Systems” model, Hong Kong stands as a natural gateway for Middle Eastern nations to engage with China and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Hosting over 1,000 international events annually, the city has become a magnet for global innovation and cross-border investment.
LEAP East is set to capitalize on this momentum, expecting to draw over 25,000 attendees, feature 200+ global thought leaders, and host 300+ exhibitors across cutting-edge sectors including AI, fintech, healthtech, deeptech, and sustainability.
High-profile speakers already confirmed include Luanne Lim, CEO of HSBC Hong Kong; Jeanne Lim, founder and CEO of beingAI and co-creator of Sophia the Robot; Harry Man, founding partner of Matrix Partners.
The program will also spotlight investment zones, startup showcases, and premium networking events such as LEAP East Nights, designed to catalyze new ventures and cross-border collaborations.
LEAP’s global expansion and economic impact
Launched in Riyadh in 2021 through a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), LEAP has quickly become the world’s fastest-growing tech event.
In 2025, LEAP welcomed over 215,000 attendees, more than 1,800 exhibitors, and over 1,600 investors, and announced deals worth more than $14.9 billion.
The event’s economic impact in 2025 alone reached $820 million, underscoring its power to convene global leaders and drive meaningful outcomes.
LEAP East aims to bring this momentum to Asia, offering companies a launchpad for scaling across the region.
Driving cross regional innovation
The announcement was made during the grand opening of ewpartners’ new Hong Kong office, attended by over 100 senior stakeholders from Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, including representatives from OASES, HKEX, HSBC, UBS, and other leading institutions.
ewpartners has been named the exclusive strategic partner for LEAP East, leveraging its cross-border expertise and strong network in Asia.
The firm has already facilitated key partnerships with regional tech giants such as Alibaba Cloud, J&T Express, and Leshines, supporting transformation in digital infrastructure, smart logistics, and fintech.
As Hong Kong prepares to host the inaugural LEAP East in 2026, the event is poised to become a defining moment for the region’s innovation economy — and a powerful symbol of collaboration between East and Middle East.
Peter Yan, director, general, Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) shared: “LEAP East could serve as a dynamic bridge between Hong Kong and the Middle East, empowering enterprises to collaborate, co-develop innovations, and unlock new market opportunities together.
“We appreciate ewpartners’ pivotal role in making this initiative a reality, strengthening cross-regional partnerships, driving global growth through shared success, and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation hub.”
Annabelle Mander, executive vice president at Tahaluf, commented: “LEAP was created in Riyadh to position Saudi Arabia as a global innovation hub. After four record-breaking editions, we’re taking our next bold step, bringing LEAP to Hong Kong. This city is not only a gateway to Asia, but a proven launchpad for global ambitions. Through our partnership with ewpartners, we’re proud to build a platform that unites Saudi and Asian-Pacific innovators on one world stage.”
Jessica Wong, founder and managing partner of ewpartners, added: “Our mission at ewpartners is to unlock high-value opportunities between the Middle East and Asia. We have been partnering with Tahaluf on LEAP for 5 years, and LEAP East further reflects that mission in action. Hong Kong has the connectivity, credibility, and creativity to host Asia’s most ambitious tech platform, and we are honoured to help bring it to life.”
This collaboration is expected to deliver a substantial boost to business tourism and generate strong economic impact, echoing the $820 million achieved by LEAP in February 2025. It also reflects both parties’ shared commitment to deep local integration and long-term value creation in the regional market.
For more news, click here
