Chip giant Qualcomm, Saudi energy major Aramco, PIF-owned AI firm HUMAIN, and the Kingdom’s Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) have announced the ten startups selected for the second cohort of the Design in Saudi Arabia with AI (DISAI 2026) program. The initiative aims to support deep-tech startups building AI-powered solutions in Saudi Arabia, guiding them from the idea stage through to commercialization.
Quick Facts
- 10 startups chosen from over 124 applications.
- Seven Saudi-founded companies in the cohort.
- New partner HUMAIN provides AI infrastructure access.
From Concept to Commercialization
Launched during LEAP, the DISAI program has become a key initiative for Saudi Arabia’s growing deep-tech sector. The second edition attracted more than 124 applications from across the Kingdom, highlighting the increasing activity in AI, IoT, and advanced wireless technologies.
Selected startups receive hands-on guidance in product design, development, and intellectual property strategies. For 2026, the program has expanded its technical offerings, allowing participants to build and prototype on platforms like the Arduino® UNO™ Q and the new Arduino VENTUNO™ Q, as well as Qualcomm’s AI accelerators and industrial AI gateway platforms. This gives startups direct access to hardware that connects edge AI development with real-world industrial deployment.
“Saudi Arabia is building one of the most ambitious deep-tech ecosystems in the world, and we are proud to support this direction,” said Wassim Chourbaji, SVP of Government Affairs for EMEA at Qualcomm. “We are supporting innovators on their journey to transform groundbreaking ideas into practical applications on the ground, combining world-class engineering with leading-edge and data center AI platforms.”
Ahmad Al-Khowaiter, Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation at Aramco, added, “The program reflects our efforts to support and empower outstanding and technologically advanced startups, with a focus on attracting global startups and innovation pioneers from around the world, to work on enabling technology solutions that address real challenges.”
HUMAIN Adds National AI Infrastructure
A significant update for the 2026 cohort is the inclusion of HUMAIN, a national leader in AI, as a program partner. This collaboration provides startups with access to essential AI infrastructure and development resources. The support may include cloud computing credits, hosting for large AI models on HUMAIN’s infrastructure, and access to AI-accelerated computing.
“This program contributes to the development of globally competitive technologies by enabling startups to design and deploy advanced AI solutions with a local footprint,” commented Dr. Yasser Al-Onaizan, EVP and Head of Data & AI at HUMAIN.
Meet the DISAI 2026 Cohort
The cohort includes seven Saudi startups and three international companies, covering sectors from industrial automation and healthcare to smart mobility and enterprise software.
- Circula (Saudi Arabia): An AI-powered circular economy platform to automate industrial waste recovery.
- Deqa AI (Saudi Arabia): An enterprise automation platform using AI for decision support and operational efficiency.
- Digital Petroleum (Saudi Arabia): A centralized edge-AI industrial sensor designed to replace multiple traditional sensors for Industry 4.0.
- Electronic Photonics (Saudi Arabia): A traffic digital twin using LiDAR and edge-AI for smart intersections and mobility analytics.
- Finix Systems (Saudi Arabia): A modular industrial IoT edge controller for retrofitting legacy equipment for smart monitoring.
- Nommas.ai (Saudi Arabia): An AI “factory brain” for on-device quality inspection, predictive maintenance, and safety.
- SDM (Saudi Arabia): An AI-powered platform for early detection and analysis of medical imaging.
- Tawkeed (Saudi Arabia): An on-premise, Arabic-first AI platform for document processing, designed for Saudi data sovereignty requirements.
- Crosscall (France): A provider of rugged AIoT trackers for industrial and worker safety networks.
- Dexabot (Canada): A specialist in industrial security and surveillance using drone fleets.
About DISAI
The Design in Saudi Arabia with AI (DISAI) program is a collaborative accelerator run by Qualcomm, Aramco, HUMAIN, and the Saudi Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA). It is designed to support deep-tech startups in the Kingdom by providing technical guidance, IP strategy support, and access to advanced technology platforms to help them move from initial concept to a commercially viable product. The program aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to build a knowledge-based economy.
Source: Zawya
