GE recently hosted a group of more than 60 Saudi entrepreneurs and developers in the region’s first digital industrial hackathon.
For 30 hours at the GE Saudi Technology & Innovation Center, located in Dhahran Techno Valley, 16 teams explored and coded on Predix, GE’s platform for the Industrial Internet of Things. The platform has the capabilities to connect machines, data and people to power the digital industrial companies of the future. It is the foundation that enables industrial businesses to securely collect and analyze data in real time so that they can operate faster, smarter and more efficiently.
During the hackathon, teams were challenged to use the Predix platform to create a digital solution focused on Saudi Arabia’s health care industry. They were provided real, anonymized data about doses of radiation that certain machines such as CT scanners expose patients to at different hospitals around the country.
The developers were then challenged to create a digital application on Predix, to compare the levels of radiation between facilities. This type of analysis would highlight where patients were receiving higher or lower than usual levels radiation, and where further training for technicians might be warranted.
Throughout the hackathon event, GE, digital partner Tata Consulting Services, and Saudi-founded innovation organization Hobby District, led the teams through workouts, ideation, training, and strategizing.
Ali Saleh, senior vice president and chief commercial officer, GE Digital Middle East, Africa & Turkey said: “We are proud of the talented young developers and entrepreneurs who came forward for this real-world challenge in the health care industry. Using digital solutions and GE’s Predix platform, these brilliant teams were able to work on solutions that truly matter to the Kingdom. This event encapsulates what GE Digital is all about — lean problem solving, an agile software platform, and solutions that impact the community at scale.”
Hisham Al-Bahkali, president and CEO, GE Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, said: “It is fitting that the first Predix hackathon in the Middle East took place in Saudi Arabia. We have a robust pool of young, digitally minded talent who are taking the Kingdom into the digital era. They are university graduates, undergrads, entrepreneurs, and professionals who all share a drive to work in the digital space, on challenges that matter for their country.”
The winning team was Data Scroungers, a group of four juniors from KFUPM. They were awarded an SR18,750 ($5,000) cash prize.
GE hosts ME’s first Predix-powered industrial Internet hackathon
GE hosts ME’s first Predix-powered industrial Internet hackathon
LuLu marks Founding Day with ‘Made in Saudi’ campaign
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources honored LuLu Hypermarket in recognition of its pivotal role as the exclusive retail partner of the “Najoud Bikhairna 2026” initiative, commending its continued efforts in supporting and empowering national industries while showcasing the quality and competitiveness of locally manufactured products.
The initiative, led by the ministry in partnership with the Saudi Export Development Authority, represented by the Made in Saudi program, stands as a pioneering model of public-private sector collaboration in activating community-driven initiatives with sustainable impact. Through this program, more than 280,000 Saudi-made products were distributed to 10,000 families across various regions of the Kingdom during the holy month of Ramadan, reinforcing the presence of national products and strengthening the values of social solidarity among individuals and institutions alike.
The ministry’s recognition of LuLu Hypermarket coincided with the official launch of its Saudi Founding Day celebrations at the Dharat Laban branch in Riyadh, marked by the unveiling of a comprehensive promotional campaign dedicated to Saudi-made products. On this occasion, a wide range of special offers was introduced on local products, available across all LuLu Hypermarket branches throughout the Kingdom.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mohammed bin Dayel, general supervisor of the Made in Saudi program at the Saudi Export Development Authority, and Mohamed Haris, director of LuLu Saudi Arabia, alongside members of LuLu’s executive management team. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the specially designed Founding Day gateway.
Following the inauguration, guests toured several dedicated zones and exhibitions highlighting national products. The tour commenced at the grocery and “Made in Saudi” consumer goods sections, showcasing the diversity and quality of local brands. It also included the “Made in Saudi” dates pavilion, presenting a premium selection of the finest locally sourced dates in celebration of one of the Kingdom’s most iconic national symbols.
The visit continued to the fruits and vegetables section under the theme “From Our Land,” featuring an exceptional assortment of Saudi agricultural products, reflecting the richness and excellence of the local agricultural sector. Guests also explored the LuLu private label corner, which features products exclusively manufactured within the Kingdom for LuLu, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing.
The tour concluded with a presentation of “Made in Saudi” products within the chilled and frozen categories, underscoring the rapid growth and qualitative advancement of the Kingdom’s food manufacturing sector, and further reinforcing the strong market position and competitiveness of Saudi products.
