Al-Mubarak: International Innovation Competitions Drive the Digital Economy
Dr. Hanadi Mubarak Al-Mubarak confirms that international innovation competitions are strategic tools for building a sustainable digital economy, with participation from 600 experts from 20 countries.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Dr. Hanadi Mubarak Al-Mubarak, Chair of the Board of Directors at Ecosystem Management and Economic Consulting Company and President of the Award, affirmed that international innovation competitions have transcended their traditional role as mere platforms for honoring winners, evolving into strategic tools and drivers for building sustainable digital economies. This statement was made on the occasion of the launch and award ceremony of the Fourth Kuwait International Competition to Support the Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology Ecosystem, held under the patronage of Dr. Tariq Hamad Al-Jalahma, Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs.
In numerical terms reflecting the award’s impact in its 2026 edition, Dr. Al-Mubarak highlighted the achievements and successes realized with the participation of 600 experts among the most prominent minds and talents from various countries around the world, representing 20 winning nations in this thriving international forum. The competition covered six main categories encompassing the latest advanced technology sectors and artificial intelligence, resulting in the awarding of medals, certificates of appreciation, and prizes to 60 winners.
Regarding the competition’s outputs, indicators, and economic impacts, the transformation of creative ideas and patents into startups and marketable commercial products, alongside attracting foreign investments and venture capital, is measured through the growth rate of technology-backed startups, the volume of funding allocated to the entrepreneurship sector, and the contribution to economic diversification. This leads to the creation of new economic sectors based on digitalization and technological innovation, opening up broad global investment channels.
From a technical and technological perspective, the provision of advanced solutions and AI-enabled smart business models, as well as patent registration for smart cities, is closely linked to indicators of a country’s ranking in global innovation indices, the number of solutions actually implemented in vital sectors, and the growth rate of research and development activities, technology transfer, and commercialization. These factors contribute to accelerating digital engines, localizing modern technologies, and enhancing infrastructure efficiency.
