Alumni in the News
Congratulations to alumna Asrar Damam, who’s been recognized internationally twice this week for her science and innovation with biotech start-up Uvera. Asrar is one of only 28 globally recognized Bloomberg New Economy Catalysts for 2022, from 16 countries. These 28 individuals were selected for their achievements across agriculture, the green transition, life sciences, learning, and digital finance. Founded in 2021, the Bloomberg Catalysts are a global community of visionaries, innovators, scientists, policy makers and entrepreneurs who are reshaping the new economy. Asrar, a Computer Science alumna, and startup founder and CEO of Uvera, was also honored in Spain as one of 50 young people shaping the future of gastronomy on the 2022 50Next list. She is an alumna of the Forbes Middle East 30 under 30 (2021), and L’OREAL-UNESCO for Women in Science Middle East Young Talents Award (2018). Uvera specializes in containers that prolong the shelf-life of fresh food by destroying harmful bacteria with ultraviolet light, can extend ingredients’ shelf life and cutting waste.
Bloomberg New Economy
Luisa Javier and Sandra Medina are co-founders of Wayakit, a biotechnology startup incubated by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Avid travelers, they have created a product that can keep clothes clean without a wash, removing stains and odor after being sprayed twice. Medina first came to KAUST as a student from Colombia, while Javier came from Mexico. Their biotechnology-based formula that excluded the usage of oxidizers and focused on more organic compounds found tech support and funding from KAUST.
Fast Company Middle East
Saudi technology start-up Lucidya (Abdullah Asiri, Founder & CEO, MS '19) has raised $6 million in its latest funding round that will help it to expand its operations across the Mena region. The funding round, which was led by Riyadh-based early-to-growth-stage venture capital fund Rua Growth Fund, will help Lucidya to “strengthen its consumer insights and expand the product offering”, the company said on Monday. Other investors in the funding round include MAL Ventures, AlRashed Group and Venture Souq.
The National NewsUpcoming Events
We look forward to welcoming the global KAUST alumni community at the 2022 Alumni Change Makers Awards Gala. Join us at this formal ceremony as we honor and celebrate our Award recipients for 2022. 7-9pm Friday, November 4, 2022
Friday, December 16, 2022
Save the date for next WEP!
January 8-19, 2023