Riyadh - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The 2026 Global Innovation Index report ranked the city of Riyadh among the top 100 innovation and research clusters worldwide, after the Saudi capital ranked ninety-second internationally, becoming the only Gulf city present within this prestigious ranking.

The international report highlighted the indicators supporting this remarkable historical entitlement. Riyadh has succeeded in concluding four hundred and nineteen qualitative deals specialized in venture capital financing, in addition to filing one hundred and sixty-two approved applications for international patents, based on giant contributions from pioneering academic and industrial edifices that include King Saud, Princess Noura, and Prince Sultan universities, in addition to the two giants of national industry, Aramco and SABIC.

Integrating the national system to support and enable knowledge competitiveness

This unprecedented qualitative achievement comes as a direct culmination of the integration and concerted efforts of the research and innovation system throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and its complete compatibility with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs aimed at raising international competitiveness and localizing knowledge and advanced technologies.
The capital works to provide an attractive legislative environment and integrated financial and investment incentives for entrepreneurs, project owners, emerging technology companies, and advanced global research centers, which has strongly contributed to building a sustainable knowledge economy that drives the locomotive of development transformation, and consolidates Riyadh’s position as an indispensable regional and global gateway for embracing creative minds and attracting investment partnerships with added economic value to the country’s various productive and technological sectors.

​Broad repercussions on revitalizing the tourism and hospitality sector

​This cognitive excellence constitutes a vital and major driver for reviving the tourism movement in its various paths, specifically business tourism and specialized international conferences and exhibitions. The capital attracts thousands of experts, delegations, travelers, and decision-makers participating in global economic forums, which continuously raises hotel occupancy rates within luxury resorts and accommodation facilities, and revitalizes the hospitality, fine dining, transportation services, and entertainment shopping sectors.
These events also open wide horizons for international visitors to explore ancient historical and heritage monuments and modern entertainment destinations, which enhances direct tourism spending, supports the growth of hospitality supply chains, and consolidates Riyadh’s position as a leading and preferred modern tourist destination in the world.