GRANT · HOW TO WIN THIS
Equity-free cash prize (exact amount not disclosed); awarded annually at the competition.
2026 applications are closed. The 2027 event is December 8–10; watch for the next application cycle.
FUNDING TYPE
Pitch Competition
CAN YOU GET THIS?
YOUR REAL ODDS
The 2026 cohort is already shortlisted and applications are closed — the next cycle opens for 2027.
The event hosts 150+ startups and 200+ investors, making this a competitive but sizable cohort. The pitch competition (Rocket Fuel East) narrows the field further for the cash prize.
WHAT IT TAKES
Monitor for 2027 application opening — Ongoing — event runs December 2027
Submit startup application through the LEAP East program page — 1–3 hours
Shortlisting review by organizers — Weeks after deadline
Attend event and pitch (if selected) — December 8–10, 2027, Hong Kong
WORTH KNOWING
Beyond the prize, accepted startups get curated 1:1 investor meetings, closed-door sessions with global leaders, and soft-landing support in both Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong — the network access may be more valuable than the cash prize itself.
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