Saudi biotech startup NanoPalm has been named the national winner of KPMG’s prestigious Global Tech Innovator competition. The victory secures NanoPalm a place at the global finals in Lisbon, Portugal, this November, where it will represent the Kingdom and compete against top innovators from more than 20 countries.
By The Numbers
- Competition Edition: 5th Year
- Global Finals Location: Lisbon, Portugal
- Number of KSA Finalists: 9
- Next Step: Competing against 20+ countries
Pioneering the Future of Gene Therapy
NanoPalm stood out to the judges with its pioneering in vivo gene therapy platform, which is built on programmable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The startup’s proprietary, AI-driven manufacturing process enables the creation of stable, self-targeting LNPs designed to overcome the limitations of current drug delivery methods. This breakthrough technology has the potential to transform the fields of drug delivery and genetic medicine.
“At NanoPalm, we’re building the future of gene therapy: programmable, accessible, and born from Vision 2030’s biotech ambition,” said Aljohara Ababtain, Senior Deep NanoTech Researcher at NanoPalm, during her winning pitch. “Our AI platform powers fast and safe drug delivery systems to transform the future of medicine.”
A Competitive Field of Innovators
The fifth edition of the competition featured a strong cohort of Saudi startups. The other finalists who pitched their ventures were AILA, Digital Petroleum, Lisan, Mirai Solar, Plastus, Saher Flow Solutions, SARsatX, and Sparklehaze. All participants were evaluated on criteria including disruption, innovation, market potential, and long-term traction.
“We are proud of the finalists for their vision and drive to address real-world challenges,” said Samer Abdallah, Head of ICT Sector at KPMG Middle East. “Best of luck to NanoPalm in representing the Kingdom at the global finals.”
About the KPMG Global Tech Innovator Competition
The KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition is an annual event celebrating groundbreaking early- and growth-stage technology companies from around the world. National winners from over 20 countries compete in a global final for the title of Global Tech Innovator, gaining significant visibility among investors and potential partners.
Looking Ahead
NanoPalm’s victory not only provides the startup with a global platform but also shines a spotlight on the high-caliber deep tech and biotech innovation emerging from Saudi Arabia. Representing the Kingdom in Lisbon, NanoPalm has a unique opportunity to attract international investors and partners, further accelerating its mission to revolutionize gene therapy and reflecting the growing success of Vision 2030’s focus on building a knowledge-based economy.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
