Wadi Jeddah, the strategic investment and innovation arm of King Abdulaziz University (KAU), recently highlighted its commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s knowledge economy by taking a leading role in the First Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Saudi Universities. The event, held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, convened leaders from government, academia, and industry to explore how universities can serve as primary engines for national innovation.
Bridging Academia and Industry
As a gold sponsor of the conference, Wadi Jeddah underscored its pivotal role in shaping the Kingdom’s university-linked innovation ecosystem. The company’s participation aims to foster critical collaboration between academic institutions and the private sector, creating pathways to transform research-backed ideas into viable, market-ready ventures. This initiative directly supports the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the economy and build a robust, knowledge-based foundation. During the event, Wadi Jeddah also showcased its growing portfolio of ventures in healthcare, technology, and logistics through a dedicated exhibition booth.
A Unified Vision for University Innovation
A key highlight of the conference was a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sattam bin Saud Lingawi, CEO of Wadi Jeddah, titled “The Role of University Investment and Innovation Companies in Building the Innovation and Investment Ecosystem.” The session brought together the heads of several prominent university investment arms, including Dr. Ali bin Mohammed Al-Shaery of Wadi Makkah Technology, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Mutlaq of Wadi Dammam, and Mr. Youssef bin Suleiman Al-Shawan of Wadi Al-Ahsa Investment Company. The leaders discussed effective strategies for building a cohesive national innovation ecosystem that leverages the unique strengths of Saudi universities.
Commercializing Research for National Impact
Dr. Sattam bin Saud Lingawi emphasized Wadi Jeddah’s strategic vision to expand its impact through strategic partnerships, incubation, and direct investment in promising projects emerging from academia. He stated, “In line with Saudi Vision 2030, we at Wadi Jeddah are committed to transforming academic innovation into tangible achievements. By bridging research and commercial application, we contribute to strengthening the innovation economy in the Kingdom, enhancing quality of life, and driving human progress.” This commitment reflects a broader trend across the Kingdom to harness intellectual property and scholarly research as key drivers of economic growth and societal development.
About Wadi Jeddah
Established in 2010 by Royal Decree, Wadi Jeddah is the official investment arm of King Abdulaziz University. Its mission is to build and advance the Kingdom’s knowledge economy by strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and the business community. The company focuses on the commercialization of university research, developing intellectual property, and creating ventures that serve national priorities, with a primary focus on healthcare, logistics, and technology.
Source: Zawya
