Monsha'at and KAUST signed a MoU at the Biban 24 forum to support entrepreneurs and SME owners through joint programs. The collaboration aims to remove barriers to entrepreneurship by designing new services and providing specialized support. It also facilitates expertise exchange, joint projects, and training programs like the "Monsha'at Academy." Why it matters: This partnership between a key SME authority and a leading research university can strengthen Saudi Arabia's entrepreneurship ecosystem and contribute to Vision 2030's economic diversification goals.
KAUST welcomed Monsha'at, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), and the Royal Commission of Al Ula to its Industry Collaboration Program (KICP). These new members, announced at the 12th annual KAUST Industry Advisory Board (KIAB) meeting, bring the total KICP membership to 25. The KIAB event focused on AI's role in the digital transformation of health, society, and the economy. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering industry partnerships in AI and other key sectors to advance Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
KAUST has launched the KAUST SME Innovation Services program to foster the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia. The program aims to provide SMEs with access to KAUST's innovation ecosystem, helping them increase their customer base and reach new markets. This initiative follows a comprehensive survey of 500 SMEs conducted in partnership with various organizations, including Monsha'at and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce. Why it matters: This program supports Saudi Vision 2030's goal of increasing SME GDP contributions and strengthens the Kingdom's economic landscape by leveraging university resources.
KAUST is expanding its REVelate corporate innovation workshop into a larger "Innovation Academy" program. The program targets Saudi-based companies, nonprofits, and government organizations. It aims to develop novel processes, design thinking, and intrapreneurship to benefit their missions and support the Kingdom's knowledge economy. Why it matters: The expansion signals KAUST's growing role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within Saudi Arabia's corporate and public sectors.
KAUST has launched REVelate, a corporate innovation program aimed at mid and senior management of Saudi-based companies. The four-month program includes lectures, workshops, and mentoring to develop projects important to the participating companies. It is designed to foster an 'intrapreneurship' culture and enhance the innovation capacity of KAUST industry partners. Why it matters: This initiative addresses a critical need for corporate innovation methodologies in Saudi Arabia, potentially boosting the performance and competitiveness of local companies.
Al-Maha Systems, a startup founded by KAUST students, has developed an IoT system for livestock health tracking. The system uses sensors attached to cows to monitor vital data like heart rate and body temperature, transmitting it to a cloud server. The goal is to detect health problems early and optimize breeding times for dairy farms. Why it matters: This innovation can improve efficiency and productivity in Saudi Arabia's dairy industry by leveraging IoT for animal husbandry.
Red Sea Farms, a KAUST spinout agritech company, and SAUDIA have signed an MoU to supply the airline with locally-sourced, sustainable food options. This collaboration aims to reduce SAUDIA's carbon footprint by decreasing reliance on imported goods. Red Sea Farms also assisted SAUDIA on menu development and video content to promote the health and sustainability benefits of the produce. Why it matters: This partnership highlights the growing focus on sustainability within the Saudi aviation sector and demonstrates the potential for agritech companies to contribute to national environmental goals.
Insyab, a startup specializing in collaborative robotics and drone solutions, was founded by KAUST alumnus Dr. Ahmed Bader and KAUST Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini. Their flagship product, AirFabric™, is a broadband ultra-low-latency wireless connectivity solution enabling teams of unmanned vehicles to collaborate effectively. The technology allows robots to interact in real time and share learning, unlocking a "1+1=3" value proposition. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's role in fostering deep-tech entrepreneurship and developing innovative solutions for industrial automation in the region.