SONATE team wins cash prize at SLUSH Singapore

KAUST Startup SONATE: Top 6 at SLUSH Singapore!
SLUSH is a student-driven non-profit movement originating in Finland in 2008, that facilitates founder and investor meetings in an effort to to build a world-wide startup community. SLUSH Singapore was their first foray into Asia and was held on September 20, 2016.

From over 700 teams who applied from across Asia and the Pacific region, three KAUST startups were included in the final 45 teams to pitch at the event in Singapore. Two teams (SONATE and Sadeem) made it to the final 30. After three separate pitches in the main arena, SONATE made it to the final six at the competition, picking up a prize of $20,000.  Out of 700 applicants SONATE was the only materials science startup chosen for its scalable production of ceramic membranes for purification of biologics.

KAUST Startups Shine on the Global Stage
KAUST startups have recently been recognized on the global stage at several other events and competitions including:

• KAUST New Ventures Accelerator startup CMS and Takamol 9/10ths Accelerator (managed by KAUST) startups Eshraq, Geeks Valley and Kasper Cab were selected to represent Saudi-based startups at a GCC level international competition. The event was organized by the global Seed Stars organization, which took place in Bahrain on September 24, 2016. Eshraq secured third place while Geeks Valley won the audience award and $5,000.
• Takamol 9/10ths Accelerator (managed by KAUST) startup teams attended the Startup Istanbul conference and were part of the startup pitching. Two of the teams, Eshraq and Qirtas, made it to the final 50 startups and Qirtas was short listed for the final 15 startups.
• Qirtas has also engaged in a successful crowd funding campaign to raise $15,000 to launch their first product, an innovative educational 3D wooden puzzle, nationally and internationally.
• KAUST IP-based startup Level5 made it to the finals of the European Climate Launchpad competition, placing in the final 10 startup teams that pitched in the finals in Estonia.

Related Articles:
Turning research into startups
Made in Saudi Arabia: A Growing Culture of Student Entrepreneurship is Leading to New Saudi Companies
Explore high-potential partnerships with KAUST Startups