Community Jameel Saudi successfully concluded the 7th edition of the StartSmart competition, in the presence of Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdullah bin Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation; Abdulaziz bin Muhammad bin Aboud, director of the Ministry of Sports branch in Makkah region; and a number of business leaders and experts. The event was held under the patronage of Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, governor of Jeddah.
The concluding ceremony was organized at Jeddah Corniche Circuit by Bab Rizq Jameel and the Lenobadir program, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, under the theme of “Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Entrepreneurship and the Green Economy.” This year’s edition featured four distinct tracks: Startups, Ideas, Social Enterprise, and the newly launched Environment track.
The competition witnessed remarkable participation, drawing 1,010 applicants, with 60 teams qualifying for the semifinal stage. The teams underwent an intensive training camp last July, covering a variety of topics, including strategic planning, marketing, and financial management. The qualifying teams presented their projects and ideas to a judging panel, resulting in the selection of 36 teams for the final stage, out of which 12 winning teams (three teams within each track) were selected and awarded valuable prizes that amounted to SR465,000 ($124,000).
In the Startups track, fanZ grabbed the first place, Siolla came second, and Ballurh secured the third place. In the Social Enterprise track, AmplifAI Health won first place, Bahaa Adaptive Solutions ranked second, while Ad Astr came third. As for the Ideas track, Rafah AI secured first place, Organic Waste Management came second, and Maqarri grabbed third place. In the new Environment track, SARsatX won first place, Ivvest ranked second and TrustiT came third.
On the sidelines of the event, Community Jameel Saudi held a forum that included a conference and eight workshops. The forum featured eight expert speakers who discussed some of the most important trends, challenges, and opportunities in the entrepreneurial sector and the market.
Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition
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Community Jameel Saudi Concludes 7th StartSmart Competition
Hilton-STA campaign spotlights Saudi Arabia’s must-visit hotspots
Hilton and the Saudi Tourism Authority have partnered to showcase the diverse travel experiences tourists can enjoy in Saudi Arabia through an engaging creative content campaign.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, short films and photos have been creatively produced to promote Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Makkah and Madinah. These captivating visuals transport viewers to discover the country’s distinctive destinations. The campaign builds on last year’s successful partnership between the two entities, in which they created engaging seasonal content for viewers, and is now being rolled out internationally, including across the Middle East, South Africa, the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Hilton and STA in 2023 to explore cooperation opportunities to promote Saudi Arabia and attract visitors to the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030. It also comes as Hilton continues its plans to more than quadruple its presence with over 70 hotels under development — adding more than 18,000 keys to its growing portfolio, introducing more of its award-winning brands, and creating over 15,000 jobs for hospitality professionals across the Kingdom — with more than half of new hires being Saudi nationals.
The content serves as a window that immerses visitors in Saudi experiences before their arrival. It brings to life the Kingdom’s must-visit hotspots and dives into the heart of its welcoming cities. From the spiritual significance of its holy cities, and highlighting the historical treasures of Diriyah, to revelling in the beauty of ancient oases and the stunning topography of the country, the campaign covers it all.
It invites visitors to experience the very best of Saudi Arabia with Hilton, highlighting the global hospitality company’s hotels across the country including Waldorf Astoria Jeddah — Qasr Al-Sharq, Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residences and Conrad Makkah, and demonstrating the exceptional hospitality and comfort that Hilton guests can expect.
Hilton currently operates 21 hotels in the Kingdom including the recently opened Hilton Riyadh Olaya and The Hotel Galleria Jeddah, Curio Collection by Hilton. The global hospitality company is committed to expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia with plans to grow its footprint to exceed 100 hotels in the coming years. Its development pipeline includes the recently signed agreement with Dan Company, a Public Investment Fund company, to open three resorts in Al-Ahsa; an agreement with Rua Al-Madinah Holding to open three properties at Rua Al-Madinah; and a partnership with Taiba Investments to launch the first Waldorf Astoria in Madinah.
Bigo Live celebrates global creators at Dubai gala
Bigo Live, a global social live streaming platform, hosted its first BIGO MENA Gala on Jan. 9 at Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai. The event brought together top content creators, influential users, and Bigo “Family” groups from across the globe, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to fostering real-time connections and cross-cultural exchange.
The gala recognized standout creators with prestigious awards, including gold-plated iPhone 16 Pro Max devices, standard iPhone 16 Pro Max models, and other prizes. Honorees represented diverse regions, including the MENA, Russia, Turkiye, the Philippines, Pakistan, Indonesia, France, and Thailand, demonstrating the platform’s international reach and inclusive community. The awards celebrated innovation, creativity, and the ability of creators to engage diverse audiences, highlighting the significant contributions they make to the Bigo Live ecosystem.
“The BIGO MENA Gala 2025 underscores the remarkable achievements of our creators and users who make Bigo Live a dynamic space for meaningful interactions,” said Ian Goh, director at BIGO Technology. “This event celebrates the global collaboration and innovation that have driven our growth and strengthened our community.”
The event featured captivating performances from acclaimed artists, including Eman Abdulaziz and Hwaida Yousef, alongside other international talent. These performances showcased the platform’s ability to connect communities through shared cultural experiences and entertainment, further emphasizing Bigo Live’s global reach.
The event was supported by Coda, a key partner in the MENA region. This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to developing and advancing digital platforms that empower users to create and connect on a global scale.
Since its inception, Bigo Live has connected more than 500 million users worldwide, facilitating real-time interactions that foster inclusivity and engagement. The platform continues to invest in innovative tools and resources that empower creators to produce high-quality content and build meaningful connections with their audiences.
The gala was streamed live on Bigo Live’s Music Livehouse channel and Bigo.tv, extending the celebration to a global audience. Interactive features, including live chat and real-time voting, allowed viewers to participate actively in the event.
The BIGO MENA Gala 2025 showcased Bigo Live’s ongoing commitment to empowering creators, facilitating global connections, and driving innovation within the live streaming industry. The platform remains dedicated to providing a dynamic and inclusive space for users worldwide.
Elm, Kidana ink deal to drive digital transformation of holy sites
Elm, a pioneer in digital solutions, signed an MoU with Kidana Development Company, a major developer of the holy sites that is wholly owned by the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites. The agreement will bolster joint efforts in the development and operation of digital platforms, as well as deliver consulting services and promote digitization in the holy sites. It will also facilitate inspection and field supervision services to ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
The MoU was signed by Mohammad Abdulaziz Alomair, CEO of Elm, and Majed Ahmed Al-Shangiti, executive vice president of human capital and shared services at Kidana, in the presence of key officials from both organizations.
As part of the MoU, both entities will coordinate their efforts to achieve mutual goals in areas of shared expertise while leveraging Elm’s electronic solutions, technological systems, and consulting services to drive the digital transformation of the holy sites.
Majid bin Saad Al-Arifi, official spokesman and vice president of marketing at Elm, said: “We are honored to collaborate with Kidana, led by a vision to enhance the services offered to pilgrims of Umrah, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The collaboration will enable us to develop a range of electronic platforms and enhance the digital infrastructure while offering specialized consultancy services and complete support in the field of digital transformation.”
The agreement will also facilitate cooperation in the fields of operations, inspection, and field control services, paving the way for robust security and safety standards. These are especially significant given the large number of pilgrims and Umrah performers who visit the holy sites in the Kingdom to perform the rituals of Hajj and Umrah each year.”
The MoU demonstrates Elm’s commitment to forming strategic alliances with companies from diverse sectors and offering best-in-class services, including consulting, technical solutions, and digital support.
Honor launches Magic7 Pro in MEA: Empowering the future with AI and seamless mobile innovation
Honor has launched the Magic7 Pro in Dubai, featuring advanced AI capabilities that enhance photography, display quality, and hardware performance. The device comes with the Google Gemini app pre-installed, offering AI assistance for various tasks.
George Zhao, CEO of Honor, highlighted the integration of on-device and cloud AI capabilities for a more intuitive and secure user experience. Honor also announced its partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi for the exhibition “Kings and Queens of Africa: Forms and Figures of Power.”
Revolutionizing photography with AI Honor Image Engine
The Magic7 Pro boasts an advanced AI Falcon Camera System with a 50 MP Super Dynamic Main Camera, 50 MP Wide Camera, and 200 MP Telephoto Camera. The AI Honor Image Engine, the industry’s first mobile imaging system with Hybrid AI Large Models, provides sophisticated photography features, including AI Super Zoom, AI Motion Sensing Capture, and HD Super Burst.
Empowering smart lifestyle with AI-powered MagicOS 9.0
The Magic7 Pro offers a personalized interface with enhanced Magic Portal2 capabilities, supporting various applications. Gemini’s overlay provides quick access to Google AI assistance. The device includes AI Translation, Honor Notes with AI Summary, and AI Minutes for productivity. AI Dual-way Noise Reduction ensures clear communication.
Unrivaled battery life and gaming performance
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, the Magic7 Pro features AI Real-Time Rendering technology for PC-level graphics and responsive gaming. The 5,850 mAh silicon-carbon battery supports fast recharging with 100 W wired and 80 W wireless Honor SuperCharge. The device also includes a stereo speaker with enhanced bass and the Natural Light Honor AI Eye Comfort Display.
Availability
Pre-orders for the Magic7 Pro in the Kingdom have started at SR3,999 ($1,065), available in Lunar Shadow Grey, Breeze Blue, and Black. Pre-order customers get a package worth SR1,998, including the Honor Watch4 Pro (SR1,099) and Honor VIP Care+ (SR899) with 180 days replacement, 365 days screen protection, and four screen film replacements in 12 months.
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit: Stress on the need for climate finance to increase fourfold
The 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, organized under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, will Continue till Jan. 18.
The event’s anchor, the ADSW Summit, took place under the theme ‘The Nexus of Next — Supercharging Sustainable Progress.’
The summit showcased how dynamic, interconnected economies can unlock sustainable progress, offering a global platform to catalyze change and unite the international community in building a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future.
Guest speakers included Giorgia Meloni, prime minister of Italy; Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria; Dr. Thani Al-Zeyoudi, minister of state for foreign trade, UAE Ministry of Economy; Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al-Jarwan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, president of Kazakhstan; Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda; Anwar Ibrahim, prime minister of Malaysia; and Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and special envoy for business and philanthropy, UAE.
In a keynote address titled ‘Financing the Future: Who Leads the Change,’ Badr Jafar highlighted the need for climate finance to increase fourfold to meet the Paris Agreement goals.
Emphasizing the private sector’s pivotal role he said: “We are not talking about trillions in grants or corporate charity; we’re talking about 6 trillion of investments, and with more than 120 trillion in assets under management, between the insurance and pension sectors, family offices and sovereign wealth funds, the world is not short of money. In fact, net private wealth stands at over 450 trillion dollars and is expected to increase more than 6 percent annually.”
Jafar said that mobilizing such vast resources requires bringing the transformative role of the Global South into focus, adding that “the Global South is a global powerhouse, home to 85 percent of the world’s population and already accounting for more than half of global GDP. By 2030, the Global South is anticipated to account for more than 80 percent of the world's middle class, representing an unparalleled opportunity for sustainable development.”
Reinforcing the necessity of a whole-of-society approach to address climate challenges, Jafar said: “The UAE’s leadership has long believed that society moves fastest when it moves as one whole society, engaging all stakeholders to create a multiplier effect. The business and philanthropy sectors, in partnership with governments, are essential to unlocking climate and nature opportunities on a large scale. We must act boldly, working across sectors and across geographies, to seize this moment together.”
The summit featured a series of engaging keynote addresses, panels and fireside chats that amplified diverse voices and fostered collaboration among sustainability leaders and showcased impactful solutions.
Key discussions underscored the urgency of climate challenges and leveraging technological advancements and collective intelligence to mobilize action.
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit 2025 reaffirmed its role as a global platform for innovation, collaboration, and action, uniting leaders from around the world to accelerate progress toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
