LEAP East brings global tech, capital and innovation to Hong Kong

LEAP East, the inaugural regional edition of the technology event, will take place from 8–10 July 2026 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Positioned at the intersection of global capital and breakthrough innovation, the event will feature an elite speaker lineup, international pavilions and cutting-edge robotics.

As LEAP expands into Asia for the first time, it also positions Hong Kong as a meeting point for leading technology players, investors and innovators across the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) and the Middle East, driving new partnerships and unlocking market opportunities. With more than US$44.8 B in announced investments since 2022, the event builds on this momentum to accelerate cross-border capital and collaboration. 

The scale of this opportunity is reflected in growing economic ties between Asia and the Middle East, with Gulf–Asia trade reaching  US$516 B in 2024, while Southeast Asia’s digital economy is projected to reach US$1 T by 2030. This momentum continues to drive cross-border investment and innovation across both regions. 

Annabelle Mander, Executive VP and co-creator of LEAP at Tahaluf, said: “LEAP East brings together the ecosystems, investors and innovators shaping the future of technology. By bringing this experience to Hong Kong, we are enabling collaboration between Asia and the Middle East and unlocking new opportunities for growth. Together with our partners, we are proud to create an environment that accelerates cross-border collaboration and drives real-world impact.” 

The LEAP East stage will convene leaders shaping the next phase of the digital economy. This includes Ben Goodman, President – JAPAC at Adobe, who will explore how creative intelligence and evolving content supply chains are powering global scale for businesses; Richie Chen, Founder & CEO of HAI Robotics, exploring the scale of autonomous logistics; Tim Ying, CEO of Octopus, examining how trusted, electronic payments evolve into smart city infrastructure; and Minami Maeda, President of Rakuten Medical, discussing the intersection of deep-tech and life sciences. 

Together, these global leaders will explore the technologies, investments and cross-border dynamics driving the next wave of innovation, moving beyond theory to address real-world scalability and opportunity. Their participation reflects LEAP East’s role as a space where conversations translate into tangible outcomes. 

Said Goodman: “LEAP’s expansion to Hong Kong reflects the city’s growing importance as a global hub, creating new opportunities for collaboration between leading tech markets.”  

The event will feature international pavilions including the UK, India, Pakistan and China (Zhejiang), enabling direct engagement and new cross-border partnerships. Stephanie Li, Associate Director, Infrastructure and Technology at the UK Department for Business and Trade, British Consulate General Hong Kong, said: “Through our UK pavilion, we will showcase the UK’s strengths in innovation and technology and highlight opportunities under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, particularly across our fast-growing digital and technology sectors. 

"LEAP East enables meaningful international collaboration, and we look forward to fostering new partnerships and supporting cross-border innovation.”