Rocket Fuel
2027

Rocket Fuel 2027 - where ambitious startups meet $1 Million in equity free funding. Rocket Fuel has become a launchpad for high-growth startups expanding into Saudi Arabia, connecting founders with investors, customers, government stakeholders and strategic partners through LEAP’s global innovation ecosystem.  

 

From pitch preparation, to live investor judging and international exposure, Rocket Fuel gives startups a platform to showcase their innovation, build meaningful connections and compete for $1 million in equity free funding.

JOIN THE FOUNDER COMMUNITY REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR 2027

$1 Million

IN EQUITY FREE AWARDS

100

FOUNDERS PITCHING

40+

FOUNDER NATIONALITIES

12

INDUSTRIES REPRESENTED

20%

FEMALE FOUNDERS

The Rocket Fuel Competition

The Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition returns for its sixth edition – and your startup is invited. 
Join 100 startups competing for a prize fund of $1 Million in equity-free awards (separate filtration process applies).


Your journey to the Rocket Fuel stage:
 

  1. Apply
  2. Application Review
  3. Shortlisting and Selection
  4. Get Pitch Ready
  5. Submit your pitch deck
  6. Pitch at the semi finals
  7. Compete in the Grand Finale

DISCOVER THE AWARDS

The Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition features SEVEN award categories, with startups assessed based on size, scale, social impact, funding raised, years in operation and team size.

 

Successful applicants will pitch live at LEAP from 31 August–3 September 2026 in front of a panel of global investors and entrepreneurs. The top contenders will advance to the Grand Finale on 3rd September, where SEVEN winners will be named across the following categories:

Icons - private, AI-powered gated matchmaking

The LEAP Award

$250,000

 

Awarded to the most outstanding startup across the entire competition.

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The Shooting Star Award

$150,000

 

For an early-stage startup at the beginning of its journey.

Icon - access to ecosystem xchange sessions and meetup

The Scaling Star Award

$150,000

 

For the strongest late-stage startup with clear unicorn potential.

High-value networking

The Tech for Humanity Award

$150,000

 

For startups creating solutions that drive positive societal impact.

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The Into New Worlds Award

$150,000

 

For a company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

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LEAP Landing Award 

$100,000

 

For a non-Saudi startup with high-growth potential looking to soft-land in Saudi Arabia.

 

LEAP Founder Award 
($50K)

 

For the most promising founder, voted in partnership with the crowd. 

Rocket Fuel Judges 2026

Esther Wong

Esther Wong
Founder and CEO 3C AGI Partners

Ahmed Al-Darwish

Ahmed Al-Darwish
Managing Partner Noa Capital Partners

SC Moatti

SC Moatti
Managing Partner Mighty Capital

Heba Ali

Heba Ali
Venture Investor & Development Economist

JF Gauthier

JF Gauthier
CEO Startup Genome

Mark Rayner

Mark Rayner
Managing Partner Goldtrack Ventures

Manaf Kayal

Manaf Kayal
CEO/CIO Takamol Ventures

Eric Martineau-Fortin

Eric Martineau-Fortin
Chairman and CEO White Star Capital

Emon Shakoor

Emon Shakoor
Founder & CEO Blossom Accelerator

Homam Meaddawi

Homam Meaddawi
General Partner Khwarizmi Ventures

Kashaf Jamal

Kashaf Jamal
VP - Investments & Monitoring Fatima Gobi Ventures

Eyad Albayouk

Eyad Albayouk
Partner F6 Ventures

Fahed Qteishat

Fahed Qteishat
Executive Director MEVP

Robin Schneider

Robin Schneider
Chief Strategy Officer & Acting Chief Investment Officer HUMAIN

Halah Al-Jubeir

Halah Al-Jubeir
Managing Director - Saudi Arabia (MENAP) Antler

Kelvin Au

Kelvin Au
Chief Venture Officer 3Ventures

Omar A. Almajdouie

Omar A. Almajdouie
Founding Partner Raed Ventures

Armineh Baghoomian

Armineh Baghoomian
Managing Director, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Partners for Growth

Jussof Breshna

Jussof Breshna
CEO / Managing Director Graphit Holding

Mohammed Bakhsh

Mohammed Bakhsh
Investment Director Wa'ed Ventures

Mohamed Amine Merah

Mohamed Amine Merah
Managing Partner & CEO BIM Ventures

Salem Washeely

Salem Washeely
Co-founder, Board Member, Managing Director & CFO Sadu Capital

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