Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems: IASP WANA Division Gathers in Saudi Arabia

The IASP WANA Division gathered last week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, enjoying a series of sessions, panels, and site visits that highlighted the opportunities and challenges for innovation ecosystems in the region. Hosted by IASP member King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the programme brought together leaders from science parks, academia, government, and industry to explore strategies for fostering deep tech, entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovation. 

Opening insights and global perspectives 
IASP CEO Ebba Lund opened the programme together with IASP WANA Division President Hussain Al Mahmoudi,  emphasising the role of IASP’s global network in enabling innovation and how science parks and innovation districts can act as catalysts for tackling important challenges, and highlighting the importance of collaboration as a driver for sustainable growth in the region. Early sessions showcased inspiring success stories, from local and international innovation spaces, with contributions spanning from Saudi Arabia, with Reem Philby from KAUST who shared their efforts in supporting biotechnology startups like Wayakit, to Argentina, with Ezequiel Mesquita describing the role of Buenos Aires Innovation Park enabling advanced research and autonomous vehicle testing. These examples demonstrated how well-structured ecosystems create environments for experimentation, learning, and impact.

Regional challenges and strategic priorities 
Panels featured speakers Rama Chakaki (Qatar Science & Technology Park, Qatar), Mohammed Abusharifah (Dhahran Techno Valley, Saudi Arabia), Hussain Al Mahmoudi (Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, UAE), and Lamiae Benmakhlouf (Technopark Morocco, Morocco), highlighting the need for customised policies and collaborative innovation hubs that leverage the region’s unique strengths. Key takeaways included the potential for the WANA region to lead with purpose-driven tech, nurture entrepreneurial culture, and integrate international partnerships to achieve sustainable impact. Strategic priorities emphasised joint programmes, leadership in AI and data, and a shared vision for long-term innovation. 

Technical visits: seeing innovation in action 
Delegates explored Riyadh’s innovation ecosystem through site visits to key organisations. At KACST, participants saw real-life applications of the national research priorities focusing on economies of the future, energy and industry, sustainability, and health, including initiatives such as a solar park, the first model smart factory in the country, and advanced 3D printing. MISK City illustrated a visionary project for a human centered, non-profit smart city integrating youth-focused education, emerging technologies, creative industries, and community development. 

At Monsha’at, delegates learned about programmes supporting entrepreneurship, IoT and cybersecurity startups, mentoring, incubation, and global talent attraction. Visits to the King Salman Science Oasis showcased immersive learning experiences designed to drive the next generation of future entrepreneurs and the importance of early education in STEAM to further enhance innovation in the country. 

Leadership transition and closing reflections 
The WANA Division event marked the handover of the Division presidency from Hussain Al Mahmoudi to Khalid Al-Dakkan, and aligned on future priorities to strengthen regional collaboration. Closing remarks by Ebba Lund, Hussain Al Mahmoudi, and Khalid Al-Dakkan highlighted the shared commitment to building cohesive ecosystems, fostering entrepreneurship, and leveraging collective knowledge to accelerate innovation in the WANA region. 

Exploring the national innovation ecosystem 

During the visit, we also had the opportunity to visit another key innovation hub in the country: Dhahran, where our member Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV), host of the upcoming 44th World Conference in 2027, organised an event with Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) focused on deep tech. Our CEO Ebba Lund joined this event and delivered a keynote speech sharing insights from our global innovation community, undersocing the vital role of science parks and innovation districts as enabling environments for deep tech development across multiple fields. She also participated on the think tank discussions reasoning on the main challenges and opportunities on deep tech in Saudi Arabia, in Saudi Arabia, including issues such as patient capital, long-term support mechanisms, and the specialised infrastructure required for breakthrough technologies to scale. It was a great opportunity to discuss on deep tech, while also providing a great kickstart of the conference preparations, reinforcing the collaboration with DTV.

Looking ahead 
The Riyadh programme provided a first-hand view of the region’s innovation landscape, reinforcing the role of science parks and innovation districts as engines of growth and collaboration. We look forward to continuing these conversations as preparations advance for the 44th IASP World Conference in 2027 in Dhahran, where deep tech, entrepreneurship, and ecosystem building will remain central to the agenda.