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Highlights
- TCS Sustainathon Saudi Arabia 2025 focused on sustainable agriculture and food security, attracting over 200 registrations and 48 solution submissions aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.
- Team Qaterni from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University won first place for their solar-powered atmospheric water harvesting and smart irrigation system, earning 15,000 SAR.
- The event, hosted at KACST with partners like KKF, Nestlé, and SEDRAH, showcased how youth-led innovation can address real-world challenges and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s sustainability ecosystem.
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About TCS Sustainathon Saudi Arabia
Recently, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced the winners team of the second edition of TCS Sustainathon Saudi Arabia 2025. This year, with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, the challenge brought together bright young minds to tackle pressing issues affecting food systems and communities across the Kingdom in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the 2025 Sustainathon once again proved to be a dynamic platform for innovation, drawing record levels of interest, and enthusiasm from students nationwide.
Meet the winners
Team Qaterni, comprising students from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, emerged as the first-place winners for their solution—Desert Bloom. This innovation is a solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting and smart irrigation system for sustainable agriculture. It extracts life from air and earned the team a prize of 15,000 SAR.
Teams Toffaha and Raawi were awarded second and third place, receiving 10,000 SAR and 7,000 SAR respectively. The seven finalist teams, Green Eye, Ecomind, Tawjeeh, Nabatron, Pure Drop, Agri Nova and Green Bill, each received 4,000 SAR.
The theme
The focus on food security and sustainable agriculture highlighted the urgency of reimagining how societies can balance growth, technology, and environmental stewardship. Now in its second year in Saudi Arabia, the TCS Sustainathon received more than 200 registrations, underscoring the growing momentum around youth-led innovation in the Kingdom. Finalist teams presented their solutions before a panel of esteemed judges representing the public, private, and non-profit sectors, including partners such as the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), King Khalid Foundation (KKF), Nestle and SEDRAH.
"These efforts witnessed solutions designed by the Saudi youth to tackle Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, reflecting their commitment to addressing real-world challenges through innovation and collaboration. TCS Sustainathon underscores the value of collaborative efforts in advancing the research and innovation ecosystem—transforming ideas into tangible outcomes by leveraging KACST’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, deep scientific expertise, and strategic technological partnerships both locally and globally,” said Dr. Khaled Al-Dakkan, Senior Vice President of Innovation, KACST.
Sumanta Roy
President and Regional Head, Middle East & Africa at TCS
The solutions presented today are truly exceptional, unlike anything we have encountered in any other part of the world. This innovation reflects the energy and creativity of Saudi Arabia’s youth, who are driving the Kingdom’s rapid progress towards its Vision 2030 goals. TCS Sustainathon embodies our commitment to equipping young people with the tools, mentorship, and partnerships they need to shape a more sustainable future. We are proud to see their passion channelled into food security and agriculture, sectors that are vital to the long-term prosperity of both the Kingdom and the region.
Dr. Khaled Al-Dakkan
Senior Vice President of Innovation, KACST
I was pleased to host and inaugurate the grand finale of the TCS Sustainathon at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) this year. This meaningful collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services, supported by key public and private sector partners, showcased innovative solutions developed by youth to address pressing sustainability challenges.
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An event of national significance
The 10 finalist teams presented their ideas at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) Riyadh in the presence of Dr. Khalid A. Aldakkan, Senior Vice-President for Innovation Parks, KACST underscoring the event’s national significance.
With each edition, Sustainathon is cementing its reputation as one of the Kingdom’s most exciting youth-led innovation platforms, driving bold ideas that address global sustainability challenges while supporting local priorities. The TCS Sustainathon is a global competition that empowers youth to harness digital innovation in addressing societal, economic, and environmental challenges. Past themes have included sustainable cities, smart water management, and zero hunger. Thanks to this competition, TCS and its partners reaffirm their shared vision of shaping a sustainable future through the creativity and ingenuity of the next generation.