Qualcomm Technologies, Aramco, and Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) are collaborating to launch Design in Saudi Arabia (DISA), an incubator program aimed at supporting startups in AI, IoT, and wireless technologies for industrial applications.
This initiative targets early-stage high-tech startups, offering guidance from product design to commercialization. It plans to provide technical assistance, business coaching, and intellectual property (IP) training to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s technology ecosystem. Startups will benefit from the resources of Qualcomm Technologies, Aramco’s industrial expertise, and RDIA’s strategic oversight.
Resources available to participating startups may include Qualcomm’s technology platforms like 4G, 5G, IoT, AI, and machine learning, as well as Aramco’s Saudi Accelerated Innovation Lab. Startups may also receive incubation support, lab access, and financial grants. Selected startups will have opportunities to collaborate with Qualcomm’s business teams and engage in global commercial ventures, aiding in economic diversification and local content creation, in line with RDIA’s mission.
We are excited to play a pivotal role in fostering the next wave of high-tech innovation in Saudi Arabia, guiding AI and IoT startups from design to commercialization, propelling the Kingdom into advanced digital transformation.
Wassim Chourbaji, SVP & President, Qualcomm MEA, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
At Aramco, we aim to establish a robust digital superhighway connecting startups with our resources and market opportunities, accelerating digital transformation and fostering a globally impactful ecosystem.
Nabil A. Al Nuaim, Senior Vice President, Digital & Information Technology, Aramco
The program emphasizes IP rights protection and patent strategy training. Qualcomm Technologies encourages startups to adopt effective IP strategies and manage patent portfolios early in their technological developments, facilitated through IP workshops and patent application incentives.