King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is proud to announce the launch of its master's degree program in Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE). The 16-month program is the first of its kind in the region, providing students with the knowledge and mentorship needed to transform research innovation into commercially viable products and services. 

The program emphasizes project-based learning, combining deep tech development with entrepreneurial training. Students gain expertise in both technical areas—like design thinking, product design, rapid prototyping, AI/machine learning, and robotics—and entrepreneurial disciplines, including innovation ideation, market feasibility, product validation, and business case development. This approach empowers students to lead innovative projects and startups. Additionally, the program fosters interdisciplinary mastery, practical experience, data-driven decision-making, and strategic business acumen. It has also been designed to cultivate a culture of innovation and lifelong learning, encourage public-private partnerships and support startups and SMEs.  

This autumn, the inaugural TIE cohort will welcome 30 talented individuals, including 18 Saudi nationals. The students will study at the Suliman Olayan Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a state-of-the-art facility incubator that opens this year on the KAUST campus. 

A cornerstone of the TIE program is six months in Shenzhen, China, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of the East." There, students will transform their ideas into reality by collaborating with leading tech companies, incubators, and entrepreneurs, including InnoX Academy, which boasts an 80% startup survival rate and a 15% unicorn/quasi-unicorn rate. 

In recent years, KAUST has been at the forefront of building relationships with the innovation ecosystem of Shenzhen, which sees the Kingdom as a strategic partner. The TIE program is a testament to KAUST's dedication to bridging the gap between academia and industry through international partnerships, creating a pipeline of talent to drive Saudi Arabia's economic diversification and innovation agenda. 

Finally, the TIE program will partner with various Vision 2030 realization programs, in-Kingdom ministries and industries to inspire TIE students to find innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges facing the Kingdom. 

“We are excited to welcome the first cohort of highly talented students. As part of its vision, KAUST is dedicated to commercializing innovation and creating an educational environment that teaches people to translate great ideas into successful products. We believe that the TIE program will significantly contribute to Saudi Arabia's innovation landscape,” said TIE Program Director and KAUST Professor Aamir Farooq. 

KAUST Instructional Professor of Entrepreneurship Mikkel Dræbye added: “As a professor of entrepreneurship, I am acutely aware that individuals deeply skilled in science and engineering often lack the necessary tools to translate their technological innovations into viable business ventures. The TIE program at KAUST bridges this critical gap by equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to develop a business vision for their technological advancements. I am excited to help students gain these vital entrepreneurial tools and confidently navigate from idea to impactful innovation.”