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Speakers
200+
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Exhibitors
300+
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Investors
200+
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Startups
150+
Opportunities for Startups
When you bring your startup to LEAP East, you’ll gain access to:
- Founder Growth & Readiness Lab: Scale faster with high intensity bootcamps designed to unlock your next stage of growth and master the path to securing funding.
- Power Hours & Ecosystem Xchange: Access a private, curated platform hosting closed-door sessions and side events led by global leaders to facilitate deep-dive discussions and direct engagement with key partners.
- Curated Matchmaking: Gain direct access to a private network of global investors and industry leaders through high-impact, 1:1 curated meetings by our dedicated matchmaking team to accelerate your fundraising and partnership goals.
- Global Soft-Landing: Secure a strategic gateway to the world’s most dynamic growth markets with dedicated support and resources from our regional ecosystem partners across Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong.
- Rocket Fuel East - Pitch your startup in front of an audience of investors and potential clients and compete for an equity-free cash prize that will transform your business.
- Exclusive Networking Opportunities: Build high-value connections beyond the exhibition floor through a invite-only evening dinners and curated networking events.
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Rocket Fuel EAST
25 Founders. No Equity. No Limits.
Rocket Fuel EAST. Ignite here. Scale everywhere.
Key Milestones & Targets
Applications open – startup application is the only entry point. All founders must participate in the Startup and Scaleup Program in order to qualify. Be quick! Shortlisting for Rocket Fuel closes in May, so we encourage thorough and timely submissions.
Stage & Layout:
Out of the 150+ startups exhibiting at LEAP East, only the top 25 will be shortlisted.
6 startups will go through to the final on the Main Stage, with 1 founder being named overall LEAP EAST Award Winner alongside 2 Runner-up Awards.
Competition Format:
Semi-finals
Round 1: DeepFest Stage | July 8, 15:00 - 17:00
Round 2: DeepFest Stage | July 9, 15:00 - 17:00
- A total of 25 companies will participate, with 13 competing in the Semi-Final Round 1 on Day 1 and 12 in the Semi-Final Round 2 on Day 2, both taking place in the afternoon and lasting approximately two hours each.
- In the Semi-Finals, each startup will deliver a 3-minute pitch followed by a 3-minute Q&A with the jury and 1 minute of on-stage deliberation and live scoring.
- Each session will begin with a 5-minute introduction, followed by an initial set of pitches (around 6 companies), a 5-minute break, the remaining pitches, and a 2-minute closing.
- From these 2 rounds, 6 companies will be selected to advance to the finale.
Finale:
Finale: Main Stage | July 10, 15:00 - 16:30
- The finale will take place on Day 3 followed by the Rocket Fuel Award Ceremony at the event’s closing.
- 6 Finalists will present a 5-minute pitch followed by a 3-minute Q&A and 1 minute of live scoring on stage, after which judges will deliberate off stage with the team to determine the 3 winners, who will be announced during the RF awards ceremony.
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Prizes and Prize Money:
Total: 100K USD equity free
The competition offers a total prize pool of $100,000, awarded to three companies: $70,000 for the overall winner, $20,000 for the first runner-up, and $10,000 for the second runner-up.
Evaluation criteria:
Evaluation based on: Innovation, Potential, Functionality, Financials/Traction, Impact, Team Experience.
Submission does not guarantee selection to the pitch competition. Deadline to be eligible to pitch is May 20th, 2026.
Please note that all applications to the Startup and Scaleup Program are highly confidential and strictly adhere to the Tahaluf data and privacy policies. For more information on Tahaluf's privacy policy please see here.
