Dec 12, 2024

Joint KFUPM Startup Efforts Earn Global Recognition

ConboMix, the innovative startup founded by Mohammed Alburay, a talented KFUPM student, and Dr. Hammad Khalid, a faculty member in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department (CEE) affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Constructing and Building Materials (IRC-CBM) at KFUPM, won the prestigious TONOMUS Venture Competition in the Project Proptech category, held on 17th November 2024 at the KAFD Conference Center in Riyadh. This international competition, organized in collaboration with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), saw 1250 teams from 109 countries competing. After several rounds of interviews and presentations, ConboMix was selected as one of the top five winners, earning a coveted spot in the venture studio for commercialization.

This startup is about low-carbon, sustainable construction materials. The cement industry contributes about 7% of global CO2 emissions. ConboMix utilizes locally sourced industrial by-products and/or natural materials to reduce the Portland cement content in cement composites while ensuring acceptable properties and cost.