Forty-six deep-tech startups recently graduated from the Venture Program at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in Riyadh. This initiative supports startups in sectors like energy, healthcare, and emerging technologies.
Graduates include Glass Earth KSA, which offers geospatial technology for environmental monitoring; PainTech Solutions, focusing on pain management innovations; and EA Systems, which provides advanced engineering solutions.
The KACST Venture Program aids startups by offering resources, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, transforming research into market-ready products. The event was supported by the National Technology Development Program, which also granted technology licenses to private firms.
The ceremony took place at KACST’s The Garage startup incubator, attended by government officials, researchers, and investors. Munir El-Desouki, KACST president, highlighted the program’s role in promoting Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.
Khalid Al-Dakkan, KACST’s senior vice president of innovation, emphasized the program’s goal of connecting emerging companies with key stakeholders to develop marketable innovations. He mentioned the next phase will include strategic partners to bolster the innovation ecosystem.
This new iteration will collaborate with four Saudi universities, targeting clean energy, artificial intelligence, and health technologies. Ibrahim Neyaz, CEO of NTDP, stressed the program’s significance in fostering growth in emerging sectors and encouraging investment in innovative technologies.