LEAP 2024 marked a significant milestone not only for the region, but for the international tech community as well. Set against the backdrop of the desert, this year’s exhibition boasted a futuristic atmosphere, showcasing advancements from the Middle East and beyond.
Join Bamboo Group, as the team explores the colourful halls of Saudi Arabia’s very own high-tech trade show.
Exhibition Overview
Spanning six pavilions, a food court, and recreation zones, LEAP 2024 was unquestionably large. Halls 1-2 were mainly dedicated to local companies and governmental structures and universities, including the Ministry of IT, the Ministry of Transport, and other institutions currently undergoing digital transformation.
Bamboo Group was part of the Estonian pavilion stationed in Hall 5, dubbed “World Tech”. The team found itself amidst a diverse array of national stands representing countries such as Poland, France, Canada, Japan, the US, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and many more.
Brands on Display
Many well-known exhibitors like Microsoft, Apple, Ericsson, NVIDIA, and Intel were present, alongside local businesses and startups like SDAIA, Salam, NEOM, Watad, and Masdr, which also attracted much attention from visitors.
Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s largest oil company, showcased cutting-edge energy advancements, while Emircom highlighted transformative digital platforms, reflecting the increasing role of tech solutions. Saudi Electric was also hard to miss, with local company groups presenting solutions in construction, transport, smart infrastructure, logistics, and much more.
Rozum Robotics garnered a big crowd with its robotic arm designed for cafes and coffee shops, which served customers a variety of drinks. Hypervision, in turn, wowed the audiences with immersive VR/AR experiences, showing beautiful moving projections of birds, animals, and humans.
Themes and Discussions: From AI to Smart Cities
AI predictably emerged as a dominant theme at the expo, alongside discussions on Education, Healthcare, Transportation, and Mobility. Interestingly, deep tech (particularly in biochem developments) garnered significant attention, as well as AR and VR. Cybersecurity and e-government initiatives also featured prominently, underscoring the importance of digital resilience and governance in an increasingly connected world.
A big part of the latter was Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the country’s economy away from its reliance on oil and gas. The Kingdom’s great interest for smart city solutions and next-gen infrastructure was made very much apparent: from smart roads to environmental monitoring systems, the event offered a glimpse into the ambitious plans for urban transformation across Saudi Arabia.
The Estonian Stand
Organised by Trade Estonia, a key deep tech partner of the event, the Estonian national stand showcased 12 innovative companies such as Bamboo Group, MindChip, 5.0Robotics, GScan, Nortal, and Cybernetica. The companies represented a diverse range of industries, including telecommunications, robotics, imaging technology, software development, cybersecurity, geo-informatics, and event solutions.
Notably, among the highlights were 5.0Robotics’ cutting-edge machine, which could manufacture a wide array of components, and Auve’s autonomous shuttle, offering attendees a ride around the 5th hall.
Amidst the vibrant atmosphere, the Estonian stand also hosted keynote presentations covering a variety of topics, including digitising supply chains, sustainable software development, future societies, cybersecurity, smart infrastructure, and advancements in quantum technology, among others.
Moreover, the stand welcomed several esteemed guests, including Tiit Riisalo, Estonia’s Minister of Economic Affairs and IT, and Jaan Reinhold, Estonian Ambassador to the UAE.
Bamboo Group at LEAP
For Bamboo Group, the expo presented a platform to showcase its services and projects, spanning IoT, automotive and mobility solutions, and various digital transformation initiatives. A notable highlight was the unveiling of one of its latest R&D projects – a smart lock solution tailored for electrical and industrial enclosures.
The two keynote presentations centred around Bamboo Group’s expertise have become part of the national stand agenda during the show:
- “Smart Industrial Internet of Things (SIIoT)” by Yauheni Dzemyachenka, the Head of Product Delivery.
- “Harnessing AI for Next-Gen Mobility” by Vladislav Herchykau, the company’s CEO.
Moreover, the event provided a strategic platform for Bamboo Group to cultivate new connections and reinforce existing partnerships. This included meeting new contacts from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, representing energy, finances, consulting, and other industries.
Conclusion
In 2024, LEAP underwent a remarkable transformation into a truly global event, evident in the expanded presence of country pavilions and international companies. The event mirrors the emergence of advanced technologies throughout the region, facilitating dynamic discussions on trending topics such as AI, cybersecurity, and smart city initiatives.
This year’s LEAP was a journey filled with inspiration and connections, and Bamboo Group is enthusiastic about leveraging the relationships and insights gained for future endeavours.
