Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Flow Guard Solutions, a Saudi startup specializing in smart leak detection and water consumption monitoring systems, won the 2026 Hult Prize competition and its $1 million grand prize.

Before winning the international competition, Flow Guard and its founders represented King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) at the Hult Prize Saudi Arabia National Competition, which was established and supported by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) and Arweqah Alreyadah, according to the official statement released by KAUST.

The team subsequently joined the Hult Prize Virtual Accelerator, competing among 90 ventures from around the world. After completing the accelerator, Flow Guard was selected as one of the top 21 global teams invited to the Hult Prize Global Accelerator at Ashridge House in the United Kingdom. 

The program concluded with the Hult Prize Global Finals, with only eight of the 21 accelerator teams selected to pitch before the final judging panel, including Flow Guard.

The 2026 Hult Prize attracted approximately 18,000 teams representing more than 220 universities worldwide, with 40 national competitions conducted across 40 countries.

Founded by Mohammed Ahmed and Omar Khalifa, Flow Guard is one of the ventures that emerged from the inaugural cohort of KAUST’s Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) program. It aims to prevent property damage, reduce water waste, and improve operational control in residential and public buildings.

The startup’s success on one of the world’s most prominent student entrepreneurship platforms demonstrates the potential of KAUST-developed ventures to compete and win on the international stage.