Dec 17, 2025

Three Prop-Tech Startups Win at ROSHNEXT

The Prop-Tech Visionaries Program, a joint initiative of KFUPM’s Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) and ROSHN, reached a defining moment at the ROSHNEXT Innovation Summit in Riyadh on December 10, 2025, where KFUPM innovators secured three of the nine national wins. Given that the many of the winning teams came from outside academia, the achievement was remarkable, reflecting how university-led research reaches this level of real-world readiness.

A strategic collaboration between DTV and ROSHN Group, a PIF company and Saudi Arabia’s leading multi asset class real estate developer, the program drew more than 130 applicants, including 28 teams from KFUPM. From this pool, 54 teams were selected for a structured, three-month venture-building training hosted at DTV, 10 of them from the university. The training focused on turning technical ideas into viable businesses, preparing teams to meet real construction, energy, and sustainability needs.

Each winning team received SAR 200,000 to advance product development, along with the opportunity to pilot their solutions within ROSHN’s real-estate portfolio across the Kingdom. The three KFUPM winning startups will also be incubated at DTV’s Dream Realization Lab, where they will continue refining their products, validating performance, and preparing for market entry. Together, these ventures address critical needs across energy conservation, construction methods, and sustainable materials, as follows:

Paradise Cooling focused on reducing the heavy energy demand of air conditioning. Rather than using electricity-driven compressors, the system is powered by heat, including waste heat that would otherwise go unused. Using specially designed materials, it can achieve indoor temperatures below 10°C. With annual cooling costs in Saudi Arabia estimated at SAR 50 billion and roughly 38 tons of CO₂ linked to each villa, the potential impact is substantial. Paradise Cooling has secured a paid pilot with ROSHN to validate performance under real operating conditions.and an opportuity for follow-up investment to complete a ready-to-launch prototype.

CemNex Innovations addressed how homes are built. The startup developed an interlocking wall system made from industrial byproducts, offering a lower-carbon alternative to conventional concrete block masonry. The system allows faster installation, creates less waste on site, and supports different interior and exterior layouts without sacrificing structural performance. For ROSHN, the solution presents a way to shorten construction timelines while reducing environmental impact at scale.

LeafShn Sustainable Solutions turned a local resource into a construction asset by converting Saudi palm waste into composite materials suitable for playgrounds, insulation, and sports surfaces. The materials deliver about 30% lower costs while maintaining durability, directly supporting circular-economy practices. By linking agricultural byproducts with building needs, the startup demonstrates how local materials can serve practical roles in modern developments.

Together, the three wins mark a significant milestone for KFUPM, demonstrating its ability to compete at the highest national level and deliver solutions that meet the standards of a major developer like ROSHN. In a program defined by scale, rigor, and real deployment requirements, the outcomes affirm KFUPM’s strength in turning research into technologies trusted for use in active developments across the Kingdom.