Saudi Arabia is rapidly establishing itself as a global hub for innovation, especially in deep tech, thanks to ambitious national initiatives and strong institutional support. At the center of this transformation is the National Technology Development Program, which has played a pivotal role in empowering startups to turn cutting-edge ideas into scalable, real-world solutions.

Through targeted programs, funding opportunities, and ecosystem-building efforts, NTDP is enabling a new generation of founders to build globally competitive companies from within the Kingdom, accelerating progress toward Vision 2030 and positioning Saudi Arabia at the forefront of technological advancement.

In this edition of our Saudi Startup Success Stories series, created in partnership with StartupBlink and NTDP, we highlight one such success story.

Our guest is Mustafa O. Mousa, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO of Sadeem, a Saudi-based startup specializing in smart flood monitoring and disaster mitigation solutions. Founded in 2016 alongside Christian Claudel, Ahmad Dehwah and Esteban Canepa, Sadeem has grown into an international deep tech company deployed across multiple countries.

In this interview, Mustafa shares how NTDP’s support helped accelerate Sadeem’s growth, the opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem, and what it takes to build a global company from the Kingdom.

What inspired you to build Sadeem?

Sadeem was inspired by a real and frightening experience. Back in 2009, there was severe flooding in Jeddah. At the time, I was moving there, and I remember driving while water was surrounding me from every direction.

That moment made me realize something important: this could happen to anyone, anywhere in the world—regardless of how strong the infrastructure is. Rainfall can be unpredictable, and cities are not always prepared.

That experience stayed with us. Along with three colleagues at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), we began researching solutions. Over time, we developed something tangible—technology that could help save lives, protect resources, and minimize damage in real time.

During our PhD journey, this research evolved into what is now Sadeem.

Can you tell us about your background and your role in the company?

I come from an engineering background, specifically instrumentation and control systems engineering. I graduated from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and later pursued my graduate studies at KAUST, focusing on machine learning algorithms for resilient city applications.

These applications include flood mitigation, wildfire prevention, air pollution monitoring, and wastewater contamination control.

Beyond being an engineer, I’m also one of Sadeem’s co-founders and currently serve as CEO. I’m a certified strategy development professional, and I’ve led the company through multiple funding rounds.

Today, Sadeem operates in 14 cities across 6 countries, including the UAE, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Spain, and we’re continuing to expand.

Why did you choose Saudi Arabia as the place to build your startup?

We all lived, studied, and worked here, which played a huge role and come from different countries united with one vision to save lives and resources and we found that in KAUST.

Saudi Arabia provided the right combination of factors:

• A real problem we personally experienced
• A strong academic environment at KAUST
• Access to incubation and acceleration programs
• A forward-thinking government open to innovation

The country’s focus on digital transformation, smart cities, environmental sustainability, and risk reduction aligns perfectly with what we do. These priorities are also deeply connected to Vision 2030.

What role did NTDP play in your journey?

NTDP has been one of the most significant contributors to our growth—and I say that with full confidence.

They offer highly tailored programs designed specifically for deep tech startups. We benefited from several of them, including Connect Product, MVP Product and NextEra Product.

These programs helped us:

• Develop new innovations
• Transform concepts into real solutions
• Build relationships with leading organizations
• Expand in both local and international markets

They also supported our localization efforts and opened doors to new sectors.

In my view, NTDP is a cornerstone for deep tech growth in Saudi Arabia.

What innovations or developments are you currently working on?

Innovation is at the core of our competitive advantage. We’re constantly developing new solutions based on direct feedback from the market and our clients.

We’re also keeping pace with technological advancements and tools like AI, GPUs, and AI agents.

One of our key upcoming projects is a first-of-its-kind wildfire mitigation platform. We’re currently working through the MVP program and collaborating with third parties for data integration.

Additionally, we’re applying for further NTDP support to continue scaling our innovations. There’s a lot in the pipeline.

What milestones are you most proud of so far?

There are several moments I’m especially proud of:

• Our largest deal to date, signed earlier this year with a major municipality in Eastern Saudi Arabia
• Full deployment in Medina, one of the most important cities in the Islamic world
• Being the only company operating in both Mecca and Medina for flood mitigation

On a global level:

• Winning the Best Global Startup Award in the UAE in 2017, along with a $100K grant
• Being the only company from the MENA region to receive that recognition

Another major achievement is localizing our technology within Saudi Arabia, working with local manufacturers.

What are your goals for the next five years?

Our mission is to save lives and protect resources in real time by building the operating system for resilient cities globally.

Over the next five years, we aim to:

• Expand across the GCC, MENA region, and globally
• Capture a share of the $5 billion disaster management market in the GCC
• Support developing countries with affordable mitigation solutions
• Grow our team and global presence
• Open offices in key strategic locations

Ultimately, we want to make advanced disaster management accessible, even for countries that cannot afford large-scale infrastructure like dams.

What excites you most about Saudi Arabia’s startup ecosystem today?

Saudi Arabia is moving fast—and with real intent. It’s not just ambition; it’s execution.

The country has invested heavily in:

• Infrastructure
• Technology
• Governance frameworks
• Smart city initiatives

You can see this clearly through giga-projects and the increasing investment in startups, especially in deep tech.

What’s even more impressive is the resilience. Despite global uncertainties, Saudi Arabia continues to push forward, which gives entrepreneurs like us confidence and momentum.

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to build in Saudi Arabia?

If you truly believe in your idea, and you’re building on strong foundations—then work hard. Nothing will stop you… except yourself.