News

HP Invests In Saudi Tech, AI, And Education To Boost Regional Growth

The tech giant is committed to expanding local manufacturing, AI R&D, and education initiatives, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program.

Published

1 week ago

February 12, 2025

Nour Nasir

hp invests in saudi tech ai and education to boost regional growth

Global tech manufacturer HP is doubling down on its commitment to Saudi Arabia with a series of strategic initiatives known as “Made in Saudi”. The investments align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and focus on technology manufacturing, artificial intelligence, research & development, and education.

One of the company’s key moves is the establishment of a large manufacturing facility in Riyadh, aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s tech industry. Additionally, HP is launching an AI and R&D Center of Excellence (CoE) in Dhahran, designed to give the Kingdom a competitive edge in the global tech market. The center will drive advancements in data analysis, robotic process automation, and smarter decision-making.

HP is also prioritizing education, rolling out multiple programs to help develop the skills of young Saudis. By 2027, the company aims to create thousands of new jobs, giving local talent a vital role in the country’s economic transformation away from the oil sector.

“At HP, we see tremendous potential in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have made strategic AI investments to fuel further growth in the region,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc. “Building on our trusted brand and the strength of our portfolio, we are committing to manufacturing, education, and research initiatives that drive innovation and help expand HP’s global reach, bringing even greater opportunity to the MEA region”.

Also Read: Dubai’s RTA Unveils Solar-Powered “RailBus” Transit System

A strong network of government partnerships has also helped HP roll out several global education initiatives, such as the HP Cambridge EdTech Fellowship and HP IDEA. So far, the programs have benefited over 600,000 people, and by 2027, they are expected to reach more than 6 million students and teachers in Saudi Arabia.

HP also continues to back the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES). In June 2024, the company opened the HP Gaming Garage Lab at the Saudi Electronic University, shortly after, HP’s online courses earned micro-degree status from the National eLearning Centre (NeLC) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).

HP’s significant investments in Saudi Arabia show a considerable commitment to the Kingdom’s digital transformation, and will surely help to boost the company’s presence across the wider Middle East.

News

Foodics Acquires Online-Ordering Specialist & Invests In 3 Startups

The deal with UK-based Solo Venture was made at LEAP 2025, and will help create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants.

Published

2 days ago

February 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

foodics acquires online-ordering specialist and invests in 3 startups

MENA-based restaurant and payments technology provider Foodics has fully acquired Solo Venture, a UK-based company specializing in self-ordering kiosks and white-label online ordering solutions. The deal was reached at this year’s LEAP 2025 event in Riyadh and is part of Foodics’ strategy to create a seamless, all-in-one SaaS ecosystem for restaurants and catering firms.

Solo’s technology includes AI-driven self-service solutions, simplifying ordering and increasing profit margins. By integrating Solo into its platform, Foodics will soon be able to offer restaurants a comprehensive suite of tools covering everything from dine-in management to payments and analytics.

Ahmad Al-Zaini, CEO and Co-Founder of Foodics explained: “This acquisition is a significant step in our mission to build the most comprehensive restaurant management platform in MENA and beyond. To further support our ecosystem and the future of tech in the F&B sector, we are allocating $100M in strategic acquisitions and investments in Fintech, AI, and other transformative technologies over the coming three years”.

Beyond the Solo acquisition, Foodics is also backing three startups as part of its wider expansion plan:

Norma: A Greek AI-powered data analytics firm that enables business professionals to generate insights instantly, eliminating the need for technical expertise.
Add: A specialized accounting platform designed for small and medium-sized restaurants to simplify financial reporting and payroll management.
Arzaq Plus: A smart food and beverage supply chain platform that optimizes sourcing and logistics while introducing a “Buy Now, Pay Later” feature to the Foodics platform.

Also Read: Taager Secures $6.75M To Expand Social eCommerce In MENA

Anas Alghanim, Foodics’ Director of Corporate Development, emphasized, “At Foodics, every investment we make is aimed at creating valuable solutions that drive growth and deliver tangible success, ensuring that we empower our partners and customers to shape the future of the industry”.

The LEAP 2025 announcement coincides with the celebration of Foodics’ 10th anniversary. After supporting over 30,000 food and beverage businesses across 30 countries, Foodics continues to push the boundaries of restaurant management technology, helping companies streamline operations and enhance customer experience.