Zain, Kuwait’s leading digital service provider, announces that ten Kuwait-based tech startups have successfully participated in LEAP, the world’s biggest tech conference recently held in Riyadh, attended by over 170,000 innovators, tech enthusiasts, investors, and visitors. LEAP was the second destination in the regional phase of the 7th Zain Great Idea (ZGI) tech startup accelerator program.
ZGI reached its second regional destination in Riyadh at the global conference, which was recently organized by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity and Programming (SAFCSP), and several local and global companies.
The theme of this year’s event, Into New Worlds, focused on the new horizons of what technology brings, and its role in achieving sustainability. LEAP23 became the world’s biggest tech event, having attracted over 170,000 visitors, and announced over USD $2 trillion of investments to support future technologies, emerging digital entrepreneurship, and tech startups.
The conference presented an invaluable opportunity for ZGI’s participants to learn new ideas, build partnerships, and connect with innovators and investors from the region and the world. Zain saw the need and ambition of Kuwait-based startups to expand into the MENA region and has selected this global event for its program’s second destination due to the Saudi market being one of the biggest and most vital of the region’s markets.
Saudi Arabia also presents a unique quality, sharing a close geographical proximity, culture, demographics, and target audience with Kuwait. This presented a great opportunity for ZGI participants to learn from the vast number of workshops, conferences, and shared experiences in LEAP, paving the way for them to prepare their regional expansion plans.
During the conference, three Kuwait-based tech startups (that are ZGI participants) reached the semi-finals of LEAP's Rocket Fuel Startup Pitch Competition. The conference launched this competition to highlight the most unique startups in various industries and has dedicated awards and prizes for the winners. Zain is proud of the three startups OctopusAI, Looksie, and RZQ for this achievement.
The 10 Kuwait-based startups who took part in LEAP are Octopus AI: an AI-based digital CRM platform, Baims: a digital e-learning platform, BNCHR+: a car service and roadside assistance app, Bookr: a cloud-based software and POS platform for the beauty industry, Ghahseel: an app for on-demand car wash and vehicle care services, Li3ib: a platform for booking sports venues, Looksie: an online social marketplace for everything handmade, RUBA: a one-stop shop for all educational financing needs, RZQ: a platform for on-demand deliveries, and Spedia: a digital e-learning platform.