Deal Day, held as part of the Innovation in Water Sustainability Conference in Jeddah, brought together leading innovators and investors at one of the region’s most significant platforms for advancing water technologies. The event showcased 36 startups presenting innovative solutions for the water sector, including 12 winners of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water, to an audience of more than 50 investors and investment funds representing 10 countries.
Participants presented innovative solutions focused on water production, treatment, and reuse. The combined market value of the participating companies exceeded SR1 billion ($266.6 million), reflecting strong investment momentum and the expanding opportunities in water technology development.
Deal Day is organized under the umbrella of the Saudi Water Innovation Center, the innovation arm of the Saudi Water Authority. The center focuses on developing innovations and building startups specializing in desalination, treatment, and reuse. It strengthens the national innovation ecosystem through incubation programs, accelerators, and the transfer of technologies from the research and development stage to commercial application.
The event featured two main tracks. The first is the Innovation Track, which focuses on transforming ideas into practical applications during hackathon stages, through a development environment that encourages collaboration and learning, serving innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
The second is the Investment Adoption Track, which accelerates the adoption of ready-to-implement innovations and directly connects patents to the market, enabling investors and creating practical opportunities for startup growth while speeding technology transfer.
Deal Day serves as an investment platform that bridges innovation with funding through project pitch sessions and one-on-one meetings that help build commercial agreements and partnerships. It supports the transition of innovations from development to real-world implementation across vital sectors.
This event enhances the presence of startups in the water sector both locally and internationally, aligning with future technology development trends and expanding investment in sustainability solutions.
