Madinah’s Hospitality Horizon: How a New Partnership Is Transforming Short-Term Stays

A Bold Step Toward a New Residential Era in Madinah  

Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is stepping into a new chapter of urban living as **Knowledge Economic City (KEC)**, the pioneering publicly listed developer shaping the city’s transformation, announces a **landmark joint-venture agreement** with *Maison Prive Holiday Homes Rental L.L.C.*. This strategic alliance creates a company dedicated to short-term residential rental (STR) management, setting a new standard for elegance and efficiency in accommodation.  

From pilgrims seeking comfort near sacred sites to business travelers desiring convenience and style, this initiative will offer an experience beyond the ordinary. The STR management platform will not only provide fully furnished residences but also deliver a seamless guest journey—from smooth online booking to personalized concierge, wellness services, and curated travel coordination.  

Transitioning from vision to reality, this partnership captures the heartbeat of modern tourism in Madinah while respecting its deep cultural heritage. It is more than a real estate project; it’s a hospitality evolution.  

Introducing Al Alyaa – A City Within a City  

The first gem in this venture’s crown is **Al Alyaa**, KEC’s flagship mixed-use community. This 226,000-square-meter development blends human-centered design with serene, landscaped gardens, vibrant retail spaces, and inspiring hospitality hubs. Its 1,490 residential units and 70,000 square meters of greenery create a sanctuary that fosters both community and comfort.  

But Al Alyaa isn’t just about serene living—it’s also about smart investment. Through the unified hospitality and property-management model, homeowners gain more than a residence; they gain a financial opportunity. Flexible ownership and STR potential mean properties can serve as private retreats or income-generating assets, adapting effortlessly to market demand.  

Maison Privee’s Grand Entry into Saudi Arabia  

For Maison Privee, this partnership signals a powerful entry into the **Saudi market**. Managing Director Paul Mallee highlights their vision: a centralized management platform designed to maximize yields for investors while granting them unparalleled control. With the growing demand for flexible short- and long-stay options in Madinah, owners can now switch rental models at will—ensuring adaptability and profitability.  

Ultimately, this joint venture is not just shaping buildings; it’s shaping lifestyles. In blending **Madinah’s timeless charm** with cutting-edge hospitality solutions, KEC and Maison Privee are reimagining what it means to stay, live, and invest in one of the world’s most revered cities. 

Future Unlocked: How the Saudi AI & Edge Computing Hackathon 2025 is Powering Tomorrow’s Intelligent Systems

Riyadh’s Rising Technology Pulse 

In the vibrant heart of **Riyadh, Saudi Arabia**, the air buzzed with excitement as the *Saudi AI & Edge Computing Hackathon 2025* unfolded, hosted by **Prince Sultan University** in collaboration with **MemryX**. This wasn’t just another technology competition—it was a convergence of academia and industry, a whirlwind of creativity, and a living testament to Saudi Arabia’s surge toward becoming a major global tech hub.  

Over several days, the campus transformed into a fertile ground for innovation. Student teams from across the Kingdom demonstrated breakthrough applications in **artificial intelligence** and **edge computing**, tackling pressing challenges in healthcare, industrial automation, and public safety. Guided by seasoned mentors from MemryX and other leading organizations, these young innovators gained hands-on experience with edge-optimized hardware and software—turning abstract algorithms into tangible, life-changing solutions.  

The Heroes of Innovation

More than 15 passionate teams took center stage, each determined to make their mark on the future. The winners were not just recognized for their technical brilliance, but for their capacity to imagine and diligently create solutions that could reshape industries.  

**Winner – SurvAI**: Led by **Muddassir Khalidi, Ahmed Ammar, and Hamza**, this visionary solution integrated *facial recognition* and *NLP-based object detection*, enabling security systems to generate real-time reports with remarkable accuracy. Their reward? A cash prize and an exclusive internship at MemryX.  

**First Runner-Up – Qinspect**: Guided by **Tala Ismail AlOraini**, this platform could process *four high-resolution video streams simultaneously* with millisecond latency, revolutionizing real-time quality inspection.  

**Second Runner-Up – SiteGuard**: Led by **Muath Abdulaziz Almansour**, the autonomous drone system promised safer construction and industrial sites, tightening perimeter control and ensuring compliance.  

Innovation Award – Cano

Designed by **Raneem Jehad Abumoustafa**, this *Smart AI Cane* helps visually impaired users navigate independently, turning thoughtful design into practical empowerment.  

More Than Just a Hackathon

The event left a lasting impression not merely for its high-tech marvels, but for the spirit of collaboration it ignited. Dr. **Heba Alkhoshaim**, Vice President of Student Life at Prince Sultan University, put it beautifully: *“Innovation doesn’t just happen in Silicon Valley—it’s happening right here in Riyadh.”*  

Transitions between workshops, coding marathons, and live demonstrations flowed seamlessly, reflecting the vibrant ecosystem Saudi Arabia now fosters. This hackathon was proof that with the right support, creativity can bloom anywhere—and in this case, it bloomed in the midst of a city rapidly becoming a jewel of global tech advancement.  

The *Saudi AI & Edge Computing Hackathon 2025* was more than a competition—it was a blueprint for a future where Saudi Arabia stands tall as an innovation leader. With MemryX’s continued support and Prince Sultan University’s dedication, the Kingdom’s youth are not just dreaming big—they’re building the intelligent systems of tomorrow. 

Forging Power in the Desert: Hanwha Power Systems’ Bold Leap into Saudi Arabia’s Energy Future

A Landmark Agreement in the Heart of SPARK

On the 4th of the month, **Hanwha Power Systems signed a land lease agreement with SPARK** to build a cutting-edge compressor packaging and service center spanning approximately **11,600㎡** within **King Salman Energy Park (SPARK)** — a globally recognized hub for the energy industry, wholly owned by **Saudi Arabia's national oil company, ARAMCO**. This strategic development marks a significant milestone for the company, positioning it directly within Saudi Arabia’s thriving industrial ecosystem.  

Notably, the agreement was sealed at **ADIPEC 2025**, the world’s largest oil and gas exhibition currently captivating industry leaders in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Scheduled to break ground in the first quarter of 2026, the new facility aims for commercial operations by the first half of 2027. This ambitious timeline reflects Hanwha Power Systems’ determination to meet growing demand for compressors and related equipment in the **oil & gas, plant, and clean energy** sectors across the Middle East.  

Driving Innovation, Localization, and Growth

This deal perfectly aligns with the **Saudi government’s vision** of localizing the supply chain. By establishing a local facility, Hanwha Power Systems will not only ensure faster delivery and tailored solutions but also contribute to **job creation** and the development of skilled personnel within the Kingdom. Strengthening business competitiveness in the Middle East isn’t just about meeting demand — it’s about embedding innovation and service excellence where it’s needed most.  

As of the first half of 2025, Hanwha Power Systems has supplied over **9,000 units of compressors and industrial equipment** worldwide, with a significant portion operating in the Middle East. These machines are at work across varied sectors, from **carbon capture and utilization (CCUS)** to **air separation**. The new facility will offer **total care** for customer equipment, ensure timely delivery through localized packaging, and deepen partnerships with local oil & gas and power generation companies.  

Voices of Vision and Commitment

Soo-kyoung Kim, Head of AM Business Unit at Hanwha Power Systems, emphasized,  

> “Securing a foothold in the Middle East, where our major clients are concentrated, is essential for business expansion. We will ensure cost reduction, maximized efficiency, and stable operation throughout the lifecycle of the compressor equipment for local Middle Eastern clients.”  

Echoing these ambitions, Nabil Chaachou, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development at **SPARK**, highlighted,  

> “This agreement reflects SPARK’s commitment to attracting high-value industrial investments that advance the localization of the energy supply chain. Hanwha Power Systems’ new facility strengthens our ecosystem by enabling advanced manufacturing and service capabilities that will create jobs, drive technology transfer, and support sustainable growth in the Kingdom.”  

Powering Tomorrow’s Energy Landscape

Hanwha Power Systems’ leap into **King Salman Energy Park** is more than an infrastructure project — it’s a statement of intent, a pledge to merge global expertise with local opportunities. By positioning itself at the center of the Middle East’s energy revolution, Hanwha is setting the stage for a future where technology, sustainability, and localized industry meet to drive progress not only for Saudi Arabia but for the entire region.