Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz from NTDP: How LEAP helped them reach new heights

Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz from NTDP: How LEAP helped them reach new heights

We’ve been talking to some brilliant and influential leaders in the Saudi startup tech and ecosystems for #LEAP2025. This series gives us an unmatched insight into the impact LEAP has had in its success.

Recently we caught up with Ibrahim Abdulaziz Neyaz, CEO of the National Technology Development Programme (NTDP) since May 2022. He had many great things to say about the relationship between LEAP and NTDP over the past few years. He explained how LEAP serves as a global platform for NTDP’s mission of empowering startups and advancing the tech ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

NTDP and LEAP have a long and successful partnership. Since LEAP’s inauguration in 2022, NTDP has been working hand in hand to bring networking opportunities and investors to startups both globally and locally. 

Why is LEAP such an important event for NTDP and the Saudi tech ecosystem?

The beauty of LEAP is that it doesn't just give exposure to local startups in NTDP’s portfolio. It also exposes its services and products to other local startups, entrepreneurs, and companies. On the global side, it opens the eyes of international startups to consider Saudi Arabia as their next destination and helps them expand into the Saudi market. 

LEAP also attracts global investors.  Some examples are General Atlantic, which now has its own office in Saudi Arabia, and A16Z, which is working with Sanabil and PIF. These investors and more participate in LEAP every year encouraging exposure of the Saudi tech ecosystem to the global market, investors, and companies

NTDP launched a number of high-profile products during LEAP, including Next Era, AI Mission, and Unicorn programs. 13 of NTDP’s 18 products were launched at LEAP, seven in 2023 and six in 2024. And LEAP 2025 will be no different. So far we know that it will feature announcements for key initiatives like AI Mission and NextEra results.

“I consider LEAP to be one of the most important events of the year for me, along with FII. I make sure to capitalize on the outcomes of both of these events.”

How does NTDP support startups looking to grow and scale?

When we asked how NTDP helped create growth among Saudi Arabia’s startups, Ibrahim mentioned their various programs and initiatives. “Our goal is to ensure startups in Saudi Arabia have the resources, talent, and opportunities they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market,” he shared.

One of their key strategies is grant-based-funding for all of their startups. This helps them to get over initial hurdles, especially financial ones. The funding for NTDP's initiatives, as Ibrahim explained, is primarily sourced from government-backed programs and national development funds. These funds are part of Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 initiative

Working hand-in-hand with the funding program is the talent development initiative, which equips entrepreneurs and their teams with the skills they need to innovate and scale effectively. Between these two, startups begin their lives with everything needed to grow and thrive in the Saudi tech ecosystem

Ibrahim mentioned that an invaluable program is the Rocket Fuel competition held every year at LEAP. He described it as a game-changer for attracting global startups to Saudi Arabia. Both the monetary award and the exposure are invaluable prizes to those who win. Ibrahim has presented the main prize for Rocket Fuel since 2023 and believes it is a powerful avenue to spotlight innovative ideas and connect startups with investors and mentors.

Lastly, he highlighted some startups and investors that had benefited from both LEAP and NTDP’s involvement. “White Hill Capital, a VC from Kazakhstan, came to LEAP and started investing in our ecosystem. They now have an acceleration program and launched it here in Saudi Arabia.” Another is SparkLabs from South Korea which signed an agreement at LEAP 2023, launching a $50M AI investment fund and two acceleration programs. Antler relocated their headquarters from Dubai to Saudi Arabia after participating in LEAP. General Atlantic is another VC that established a Saudi presence after LEAP. 

Perhaps the most well-known success story is HudHud.

“HudHud is one of the first deep-tech companies in Saudi Arabia, building maps and surfaces for the entire country. We launched Hudhud during Leap, and for the first time, we provided them with 25 million riyals at a 0% interest rate. We signed the agreement at LEAP and had a session on one of the stages to talk about it. Launching HudHud was a big milestone. But there are also many other success stories from LEAP.”

How does NTDP use LEAP to connect Saudi startups with global investors?

The main way is by facilitating match-making sessions. NTDP leverages LEAP to connect Saudi startups with global investors by using the platform to foster networking, partnerships, and investment opportunities. Live product launches are another key element as they garner interest from startups, investors, and fund managers. This generates around 50-60% of NTDP's yearly pipeline within the event's four-day span.

NTDP also sponsors booths for startups at LEAP, and in 2025, they'll be providing funding for a massive 400 booths. These booths provide market exposure, networking opportunities, and access to global and local investors. Startups often reach milestones, like meeting yearly targets, simply from their presence at LEAP.

How do you see LEAP continuing to support NTDP's mission in the future, and in which areas would you like to see improvement?

Thus far the partnership between LEAP and NTDP has been incredibly successful. Hundreds of startups have gotten their wings to get off the ground thanks to angel investors and the correct connections and many products have been launched. Most of the investments happened during matchmaking sessions at LEAP, especially in 2024, and there is no doubt that #LEAP2025 will be just the same. 

Ibrahim mentioned that NTDP would like to continue supporting the Rocket Fuel competition, and this year they have a dedicated prize to incentivize global startups to relocate to Saudi Arabia. He hopes to continue bringing startups to LEAP and connecting them with VCs and see increased matchmaking opportunities going further. 

"LEAP is not just an event; it’s becoming a global platform that connects Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem with the world. The future lies in continuing to build these bridges and expanding opportunities for collaboration, investment, and innovation."

NTDP and LEAP look set for a long and prosperous future. As Ibrahim said, there really is only one way to describe LEAP and its impact on startups both globally and locally: “It’s the event of the year!”

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