World · Middle East · 7 hrs ago
Saudi university challenge awards three AI prototype teams
StartSmart Saudi and Jameel Community Foundation Saudi Arabia completed the first University Challenge for students in Saudi Arabia.
Five universities nominated 50 teams for intensive training in Riyadh and Jeddah, followed by mentoring for 15 selected teams.
Students built and presented technology prototypes using AI, applying their ideas to user needs and market demands.
The first-place team, Orion from the University of Jeddah, created a platform to help entrepreneurs connect with manufacturers and manage supply chains.
Teams from Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University and the Misk project took second and third place, for a facilities-management system and a digital model to test plans for managing Hajj crowds.
Three winning teams shared prizes and benefits worth 10,000 Saudi riyals.
A second edition is planned for 2027, with more universities expected to take part.
Saudi Arabia’s first University Challenge awarded three teams for AI-supported technology prototypes.
The challenge was run by Start Smart Saudi, with support from Jameel Community Foundation Saudi Arabia and in partnership with five universities.
The winning teams came from the University of Jeddah, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University and King Abdulaziz University.
The three teams received prizes and benefits with a total value of 10,000 Saudi riyals.
Organizers announced that a second edition is planned for 2027.
- Who
- Start Smart Saudi, Jameel Community Foundation Saudi Arabia and five partner universities ran the challenge; three student teams won awards.
- What
- The challenge helped students turn technology ideas into AI-supported prototypes. Three teams won the top places.
- When
- The programme began in September 2026. A second edition was announced for 2027.
- Where
- The training camps took place in Riyadh and Jeddah; the five participating universities are in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The programme aimed to help university students develop technology ideas into prototypes and strengthen innovation and technology entrepreneurship.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The University Challenge programme began, with five universities nominating 50 student teams.
A preliminary round selected 15 teams for a month of mentoring and follow-up.
Teams presented their prototypes, and three teams won the top places.
Organizers announced a second edition of the challenge.
- Partner universities
- Five
- Student teams nominated
- 50
- Teams selected after preliminary round
- 15
- Total value of prizes and benefits
- 10,000 Saudi riyals
- First place
- Orion, University of Jeddah
- Second place
- Ijaz, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University
What people are saying
The level of the participating projects we witnessed confirms the great potential that Saudi youth possess, and the need to provide quality programmes that give them the opportunity to develop their ideas in an environment that brings together learning, application and mentorship.
The different paths came together in a noble goal: that knowledge should have an impact, and that innovation should be a way to improve and enhance human life.