NEOM’s industrial city OXAGON launches first edition of hackathon

OXAGON is building infrastructure to foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem. (Supplied)
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Updated 03 August 2022
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NEOM’s industrial city OXAGON launches first edition of hackathon

  • Hackathon finalists will participate in 3-month accelerator program, present concepts at event later this year

NEOM: NEOM’s industrial city OXAGON on Wednesday launched the first edition of its hackathon in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Education.

The initiative aims to turn entrepreneurs’ innovative solutions into viable startup businesses while under the supervision of specialized experts in various fields.

It will revolve around four industries reflecting the NEOM industrial goals of technology in service of people, water innovation developing sustainable solutions for water scarcity challenges, and green hydrogen and e-fuels, both of which bolster the Kingdom’s commitment to explore clean energy alternatives.

Powered by Blossom Accelerator, Saudi Arabia’s first tech-inclusion and female-focused accelerator, the hackathon will take place between Oct. 6 and 8 in Riyadh.

The OXAGON accelerator, a 12-week program providing early-stage founders with expertise, resources, and networks needed to build successful investment-ready companies, will also launch later this year.

OXAGON is building infrastructure to foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem in which ideas are accelerated from the lab to the market.

The coastal city will be home to a dedicated research and innovation district. Its campus will feature cutting-edge facilities ranging from open working spaces to the latest technology, all powered by clean energy.

In addition to applicants from Saudi universities, the hackathon and accelerator will be open to homegrown innovators from throughout the country.

Vishal Wanchoo, chief executive officer of OXAGON, said: “This unique partnership shows that OXAGON sees education as a cornerstone of innovation communities, and we are excited about working with the Ministry of Education to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in Saudi universities.”

Saudi Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation Prof. Nasser Al-Aqeeli, said: “The launch of both initiatives, the hackathon and accelerator, will contribute to building a generation of future pioneers and leaders, developing national talent, and contributing to the Kingdom’s economic diversification plans, in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030.

“Our partnership with OXAGON provides participants from Saudi public and private universities the opportunity to implement their innovative ideas, developing sustainable solutions that support the future of clean industries domestically and globally, with the added benefit from the expertise that OXAGON offers,” he added.

Blossom Accelerator CEO Emon Shakoor, said: “What is truly unique about both the hackathon and the accelerator program is that we are really focusing on the power of the people who are innovating within Saudi Arabia.

“This is an inclusive innovation program, and we invite creators from different genders, backgrounds, skillsets, and who have faced different adversities, to participate. We believe the pillar to innovation and economic growth is inclusion.”

All hackathon participants will be encouraged to draw on OXAGON-critical capabilities such as big data analytics and artificial intelligence. The hackathon will include long days of work and expert mentors who will guide the entrepreneurs every step of the way.

Students will work alongside established founders, startups, and entrepreneurs who will be able to source talent and ideas. They will also have the opportunity to meet potential cofounders and team members with whom they can collaborate to grow ideas, technologies, and businesses.

OXAGON will offer three hackathon finalists the opportunity to participate in its three-month accelerator program and to present their concepts at an upcoming event later this year. This will give participants access to world-class leaders, mentors, and potential Middle East and North Africa region investors.

NEOM, one of the Kingdom’s most important Vision 2030 projects, is dedicated to promoting long-term economic diversification and talent development.

The NEOM region is designed to inspire and challenge human potential by combining world-class technology with data and intelligence to interact seamlessly with its population and form cognitive communities.

OXAGON, a place where ideas can profoundly change the world, was launched in November 2021. It combines a radical new model for future manufacturing centers based on NEOM's philosophy of redefining how humanity lives and works in the future.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli minister’s call for sovereignty over occupied West Bank

  • Kingdom’s foreign ministry said the move would violate international laws

RIYADH: A government minister’s threat for Israel to apply full sovereignty over the occupied West Bank was strongly condemned by Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom “condemned and denunciated” the statement made by the Israeli official calling for the imposition of sovereignty over the Palestinian territory.

Such action would be a violation of international law, the statement said. Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements on Palestinian land, the ministry added, while reiterating the Kingdom’s position on the importance of Israel abiding by international resolutions.

The statement followed comments from Israel’s Justice Minister Yariv Levin saying “the time has come” for Israel to apply sovereignty across the West Bank.

Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967 and has built dozens of settlements, deemed illegal under international law, across the territory.

The Saudi foreign ministry offered its support for the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate rights and in establishing a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 


Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi ministry recalls faulty chargers over fire risk

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has announced the recall of 88,518 Anker portable chargers across multiple models due to a potential internal electrical short circuit that may cause overheating and pose a fire risk.

The ministry urged consumers to immediately stop using the affected products and contact Anker at the toll-free number 8008500030 to arrange a replacement or full refund, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

Consumers can check if their device is included in the recall and start the replacement or refund process by visiting anker.com/mmrc2506.

Users are also advised to verify the model number of their charger against the list of affected products on the Defective Products Recall Center website ecalls.sa.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to consumer safety and stressed the importance of promptly addressing product defects to prevent potential hazards.


GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Updated 02 July 2025
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GCC passports departments chiefs hold meeting

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi participated in the 39th Meeting of the Directors-General of Passports of the GCC countries, held on Wednesday at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh.

During the meeting, he reviewed the latest developments, including the Gulf visa project.

The passport departments of the interior ministries of GCC countries, through a series of joint meetings, are making efforts to launch a unified tourist visa project in the near future, the General Secretariat said in a report.

“Everyone is working as one team to keep pace with technological developments and security requirements in a world characterised by rapid change,” Albudaiwi said.


Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart State Marco Rubio on Wednesday. (AFP)
Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi FM discusses regional developments in call with US secretary of state

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone call with his US counterpart Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, Prince Faisal and Rubio reviewed US-Saudi relations and ways to enhance the strategic partnership between their countries. The latest regional and international developments were also discussed. 


Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement

Updated 02 July 2025
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Saudi delegation in Tokyo for talks on GCC-Japan free trade agreement

  • Trade volume between Kingdom, Japan reached $36bn in 2024
  • Saudi team oversees and monitors progress of trade negotiations

TOKYO: Farid bin Saeed Al-Asali, the General Authority for Foreign Trade’s deputy governor for international agreements and organizations, is in Tokyo to lead the Kingdom’s delegation in the second round of negotiations on the free trade agreement between the GCC and Japan, which began on June 30 and will run until July 4.

According to GAFT, the Saudi negotiating team includes nine technical teams focused on goods, services, investment, e-commerce, intellectual property, and government procurement.

Comprising 46 government agencies, the teams prepare the Kingdom’s positions on negotiations and proposals within the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements, and submit relevant reports to the negotiating team.

In 2024, the trade volume between Saudi Arabia and Japan reached about $36 billion. The most significant exports from the Kingdom were mineral products and organic chemical products. In contrast, the primary imports from Japan included automobiles and automotive components, as well as machinery and mechanical tools.

Overall, Saudi Arabia’s exports totaled about $28 billion, while imports amounted to around $8 billion.

The Saudi team oversees and monitors the progress of trade negotiations to ensure they align with the Kingdom’s trade objectives and policies. Additionally, the team participates in the negotiations to incorporate the Kingdom’s positions, making their role integral to the process.

The General Authority for Foreign Trade aims to enhance trade gains, strengthen global presence, and engage with international organizations for sustainable development. The authority plays a crucial role in negotiations, representing the Kingdom’s interests and ensuring trade agreements align with its objectives.