Riyadh will host the DATE KSA (Digital Acceleration & Transformation Expo) on 8-9 December at JW Marriott, bringing together over 2,000 government officials, investors, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world.
Mohammed Saleem, Founder and Chairman at Trescon, said that, “We are honored to bring this global platform to Riyadh, to support the Kingdom’s vision of building a world-leading digital economy, powered by innovation and inclusive growth.”
Co-located with Trescon’s CARE (Climate Action & Renewable Energy) series, DATE KSA will showcase advancements in AI, blockchain, quantum computing, BioTech, HealthTech, FinTech, metaverse, and extended reality, aligned with national priorities in health, education, smart cities, public services, and sustainability. DATE will also spotlight women in tech.
The recent DATE Dialogues highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital agenda, with discussions on AI adoption, scaling, governance, and regulation. Contributions from NVIDIA, Accenture, The Kanoo Group, and Magure set the stage for DATE KSA.
Dr. Tamara Sunbul, CEO of Fakeeh Care Group, stated that, “AI, digital platforms, and connected technologies are transforming healthcare, expanding access, enhancing diagnostics, and streamlining workflows.”
“The share of the Saudi manufacturing sector in the GDP is about 12 percent, and the target by 2030 is 20 percent. This target would be challenging without adopting and fostering innovation, as it is critical for sustainability and growth,” noted Dr. Omar Alharbi, Chief Innovation Expert, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, who will be speaking at DATE KSA.
Naveen Bharadwaj Group CEO – Trescon
“DATE is designed to be a platform for impact — where policies turn into partnerships, and ideas lead to implementation. Saudi Arabia’s leadership in AI and tech adoption sets a clear example for the region, and DATE KSA will contribute meaningfully to this journey.”
Saudi Arabia’s digital economy attracted $750 million in VC funding in 2024, nearly 40 percent of all MENA deals, with 178 transactions. In the first half alone, the Kingdom captured 54 percent of the region’s total funding.
Network of innovators at DATE KSA
Industry partners showcasing solutions include Magure, EY, Demandify, KonfHub, Fia Ventures, and Trescon Foundation. Association Partners include STARFINDO, FinTech Armenia, Digital Niger, African Smart Cities Innovation Foundation, XR the Moroccan Association, Women in Big Data Dubai, Unified Fintech Forum, Association Blockchain Asia, Astrolab, ICIB, and others.
Each DATE edition hosts the FutureTech World Cup, Innovation Program, Launchpad, and Jobs initiative, connecting emerging talent with companies shaping MENA’s digital-first economy. Previous editions have featured speakers from Google, NASA, European Digital Sovereignty Fund, and regional digital authorities.
