Sadeem Wins Global Startup Competition

Sadeem Wireless Sensing Systems, a KAUST IP-based startup and graduate of the KAUST Hikma startup accelerator, won the Best Global Startup Award at GITEX Future Stars in Dubai.

Among 1000 startups, Sadeem won the top prize of $100,0000 for their wireless sensor network, which is the world’s first solar-powered urban flood and traffic monitoring system.

The competition drew startups together to pitch to a panel of judges from across the globe, narrowing down to just 17 finalists for the win. The competition had four main prizes as follows:

  • Best Global Startup $100,000 USD
  • Best Arab Startup $15,000 USD
  • Best Female Startup $15,000 USD
  • Best Youth Startup $15,000 USD

The KAUST Innovation & Economic Development Entrepreneurship Center team was on hand, mentoring and pitch practicing with the teams to prep for the final. “We are very proud of the Sadeem team as well as the 910ths teams, who also participated with booths promoting their startups and KAUST’s support,” said Gordon McConnell, director of the KAUST Entrepreneurship Center.

GITEX Future Stars is, “Middle East and Africa’s largest startup confluence of global tech entrepreneurs, international investors and influential corporate buyers,” according to their website.

Eight KAUST-supported startups made it through the final set of pitches, with Sadeem and 910ths Accelerator grad Serviis making it to the final pitch of 17 startups.

Congrats to our team for all their hard work!