KPMG names SDM as Saudi Arabia’s 2026 Global Tech Innovator winner

KPMG has named SDM as the Saudi Arabia winner of its 2026 Global Tech Innovator (GTI) competition, following a competitive final that brought together some of the Kingdom’s most promising technology companies.

SDM is a Saudi health-tech company developing AI-driven diagnostic and digital health solutions, including retinal imaging technologies designed to support the detection of chronic and systemic diseases.

The company was selected by the judging panel based on the strength of its innovation, market potential, customer adoption and traction, long-term growth potential, and the quality of its pitch.

As Saudi Arabia’s national winner, SDM will now represent the Kingdom at the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator final in Lisbon, Portugal, in November 2026, held during Web Summit. The global final brings together country and regional winners from more than 20 markets, giving them the opportunity to pitch their businesses on an international stage and compete for the title of KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2026.

Dr. Samer Abdallah, Partner, Board Member and Head of ICT Sector at KPMG Middle East, and chair of the judging panel, said: “The quality of this year’s finalists reflects the depth and diversity of technology innovation emerging from Saudi Arabia. We saw companies applying advanced technologies to real challenges across healthcare, agriculture, space, manufacturing, food security, construction and AI infrastructure.

“SDM stood out for combining a strong technology proposition with a clear real-world application and the potential to scale. We are pleased to see the company represent Saudi Arabia on the global stage and look forward to seeing the next phase of its journey.”

Naif AlObaidallah, CEO of SDM commented: “This is a proud moment for SDM and our team. What we have built was born in Saudi Arabia, developed by Saudi talent, and designed for the healthcare needs of our people and seeing it recognised nationally, and now taken to a global stage, reflects how far our deep tech sector has come. We are honoured to represent Saudi Arabia at Web Summit in November, and we go with a clear message: we are not only embracing deep tech here we are building it, and we are ready to take it to the world.”

This year’s Saudi Arabia competition featured 10 shortlisted companies: Authena, Carevision, Eyego, LinusBio, Nommas, Plantafarm, SDM, Terraxy, Think AI, and WhiteHelmet, representing technologies spanning healthcare, AI, space, agriculture, industrial applications, food supply chains and construction.

Finalists were evaluated across six equally weighted criteria: disruption and innovation, market potential, customer adoption, market traction and marketing, long-term potential, and pitch quality.

Now in its sixth year, the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator competition provides technology entrepreneurs with access to KPMG advisers and industry networks, international exposure, and opportunities to connect with investors and technology leaders. The competition has attracted more than 1,300 applicants globally and includes 21 regional pitch competitions, culminating in one global final.

SDM will join the other country and regional winners in Lisbon in November, where the overall KPMG Private Enterprise Global Tech Innovator 2026 will be selected.