Three engineers showcase projects that highlight potential of Kuwait’s young innovators
MADRID: The IE Venture Day Madrid 2025, organized by IE University to recognize leading startups developed by its students and alumni, concluded with significant international recognition for Kuwaiti innovation. Kuwaiti engineer Fatima Alenezi won the Best Global Pitch for her innovative educational device, Brailleiance. The overall winner of IE Venture Day Madrid 2025 was Spidey TEK, a startup focused on creating the world’s first plant-based spider-silk production platform. Spidey TEK also claimed the IE Sustainability Award. Neirion and Agrori took second and third prizes, respectively
Alenezi’s project is described as an educational device designed to help visually impaired and partially sighted primary school students learn curricula through touch technologies, with a specific focus on developing core mathematical skills. The innovator expressed pride in winning the award in the international projects category. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency, Alenezi said she was proud to receive the award and dedicated it to Kuwait’s Amir HH Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the people of Kuwait. She also thanked the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity (SACGC) for giving her the opportunity to participate. “The main challenge was understanding how to teach this group effectively and convey concepts in a simple, clear way,” she added.
The Kuwaiti delegation are seen during their participation in the IE Venture Day Madrid 2025.
The Kuwaiti delegation included three engineers selected through the Engineering Ideas Incubation program, a partnership between SACGC and IE University. The program began in May 2025 with more than 75 participants and culminated in three finalists after months of training and evaluation. The delegation was led by Hamad Al-Aftan, Director of Scientific Innovation at SACGC.
Other Kuwaiti projects at the event included: SPX, developed by Dharia’a Al-Jumaa, an AI-powered platform that helps design, contracting and manufacturing specialists manage furniture sourcing efficiently. “I wanted to combine my expertise with AI to improve the furniture supply process,” she said. Representing Kuwait at the event was “both an honor and a dream,” she added.
LIVE, presented by Ahmed Salmeen, an AI tool that helps architects, designers and individuals create spaces optimized for user health, aesthetics and lighting in minutes. All three engineers highlighted the program’s impact. “It was an inspiring experience that provided full support and allowed us to showcase Kuwait’s talent to the world,” Salmeen said.
Dr Paris De L’Etraz, Managing Director of IE Venture Lab, described the Kuwaiti projects as “amazing” and praised the delegation’s talent. Juan Jose Guemes, Chairman of the IE University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center and VP for Strategy, expressed confidence that Kuwaiti innovators would find investors for their ideas. “Kuwaiti students feel at home in Spain, bringing openness, collaboration, and a passion for innovation,” he said. Al-Aftan described the delegation’s achievement as “a very special moment”. “It’s the result of long work that began in May. The Kuwaiti projects match international standards, and I am optimistic about the capabilities of our youth,” he said. — Agencies
