INNOVATING FOR THE KINGDOM AND THE WORLD

KAUST startups and spin-ins recognized for achievements

The university funds a wide range of startups and spin-ins through the KAUST Innovation Ventures program, offering both investment and collaboration to accelerate their work. Over the last year, many of these companies have been recognized for innovation in their fields, helping them to attract greater private investment and international recognition.

Wayakit

KAUST spin-in Wayakit reduces water and energy waste through its natural cleaning and disinfection products. The team of researchers and scientists produces innovative products that are effective, safe and environmentally friendly. In May 2023, Wayakit secured Saudia and Saudi Ground Services as clients, having gained certifications in the aviation sector. These companies will use Wayakit products to clean the interior of their aircraft.

Terraxy

Terraxy, a KAUST-funded spin-off, provides low-cost and eco-friendly solutions for growing plants in deserts, a top priority for the Saudi Green Initiative. In March 2023, the company was among 10 entities awarded a tranche of $1 million in funding through KAUST’s TAQADAM accelerator program, one of the Middle East’s longest-running startup funding schemes. To date, 150 startup teams have graduated from TAQADAM, raising more than $58 million in funding.

The company’s leading technologies are SandX and CarboSoil. SandX is a patented plastic-free mulching technology that reduces water evaporation in topsoil by up to 80%, dramatically enhancing seedling survivability and plant health. CarboSoil is derived from organic waste and engineered specifically for the region’s alkaline sandy soils. The technology significantly boosts the nutrient-holding capacity of sandy soils, while also diverting organic landfilling and locking away carbon in the soil for thousands of years.

Mirai Solar

In April 2023, KAUST startup Mirai Solar attracted $1.4 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to develop and commercialize its multifunctional photovoltaic screen technology. Mirai Solar expects this financing to support the development of agrivoltaic systems and integrated photovoltaics that control light transmission, converting blocked light into electricity to reduce costs and the carbon footprint of food production and buildings.

“We are proud to invest in a startup we’ve been following for years, one that is working on a very high-impact technology to solve some of the world’s most pressing computational challenges across industries.”

Pasqal

In January 2023, KAUST quantum computing spin-in PASQAL achieved $108 million in Series B funding from investors, including Wa’ed, the venture capital arm of Aramco, and the European Innovation Council Fund. It will use the capital to further develop its neutral atoms quantum computing platform, which it believes could provide major commercial advantages over classical computers by 2024.

Uvera

KAUST startup Uvera is helping to boost food security in Saudi Arabia. In January 2023, Uvera was named a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree for its product Aurora, a patentpending, smart artificial intelligence-ofthings device. Within 30 seconds, Aurora can increase the shelf life of fresh foods by up to 97% on average without the use of chemicals. The artificial intelligence-powered app helps track the food inventory of households across the country, predict spoilage occurrence and send spoilage proximity notifications to users. Uvera expects the use of its app to help reduce food waste in Saudi Arabia by 50% per year by 2030.

“To stay ahead of the game, significant innovation, research and development are required. Thanks to KAUST’s work, we can now efficiently select antiscalants based on their biofouling potential and optimize the plant.”