While efforts are being made to use tech in agriculture to achieve food security for the Middle East, scientist and entrepreneur Asrar Damdam recognized how preventing food waste is equally important.

After pursuing her PhD at KAUST, she founded the clean-tech startup Uvera, which uses UV rays to keep food fresh for longer. Damdam did all this before turning 30 and represents young women entrepreneurs from the Middle East on a global stage. The Saudi entrepreneur has also been honored with the L’oreal- UNESCO Women in Science Award.