Riyadh, December 11, 2024 – The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) proudly announced the winners of the highly anticipated Tech Innovation Challenge 2024, an initiative aimed at advancing innovation in the fields of emerging technologies. The winning teams included Hams.AI, Sammu, VOIR, Challenge The Space, Ebda, Sanad AI, Farm Care, Chromaero, and Moraqeb. This year's challenge brought together a diverse array of visionary tech entrepreneurs focused on artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics.
The Tech Innovation Challenge 2024 was launched in collaboration with the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), Huawei, and the Artificial Intelligence Governance Association. This joint effort reflects a strong commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the development of tech products that will play a critical role in the future of the Saudi economy. By encouraging entrepreneurship and investing in national capabilities, the challenge aims to contribute to the Kingdom's economic growth, particularly through the expansion of local companies specializing in emerging technologies. This initiative aligns with the broader national goal of diversifying the economy and increasing the contribution of the tech sector to Saudi Arabia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This year’s edition of the challenge was a resounding success, with more than 900 participants representing 290 teams. The competition's focus was on three critical technological areas: artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and robotics. These fields are increasingly vital in shaping the future of industries such as communications, space exploration, healthcare, and agriculture. The Tech Innovation Challenge 2024 offered participants a platform to showcase their ideas, solve real-world challenges, and push the boundaries of what is possible within these tracks.
The winners were awarded during a prestigious ceremony, where Raed Alfayez, the Deputy Governor for the Technology Sector at CST, and Ibrahim Neyaz, the CEO of the National Technology Development Program, presented the awards. The event was also attended by Mohammed Altamimi, the CST Governor, Eng. Haitham AlOhali, the Vice Minister at the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, and other senior officials from various organizations. This high-profile ceremony highlighted the importance of collaboration between government bodies, tech companies, and innovators in driving technological advancements in the Kingdom.
The Tech Innovation Challenge builds on the success of the previous IoT Challenge, which has now seen three editions and attracted more than 3,000 participants. In these editions, over 1,500 ideas were submitted, showcasing innovative solutions to a range of challenges in the Saudi market, addressing pressing issues in industries such as healthcare, energy, and agriculture. The successful legacy of the challenge demonstrates the Kingdom's growing focus on building a vibrant tech ecosystem that can solve global challenges while also creating a sustainable path for future economic development.
In conclusion, the Tech Innovation Challenge 2024 has not only fostered innovation but has also highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to developing local talent, expanding its technological landscape, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading player in the emerging tech space. The event has created new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance the nation’s technological future.