Dr. Huda Alfardus: Pioneering Scientific Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Saudi Arabia

Dr. Huda Alfardus is a visionary leader in scientific entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture investment. With over a decade of experience, she has played a transformative role in Saudi Arabia’s tech and biotech ecosystems. As the Founder and CEO of HEALTHGENA, Dr. Huda is driving healthcare and life sciences innovation, leading one of the most recognized incubators and accelerators across the MENA region. Her focus on creating sustainable and globally competitive ecosystems aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Building a Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

HEALTHGENA’s mission under Dr. Huda’s leadership is to help Saudi startups compete globally, attract foreign investment, and develop entrepreneurial skills among young Saudis. Through tailored incubation and acceleration programs, HEALTHGENA supports high-growth sectors like biotech and healthcare, with the goal of creating Saudi Arabia’s first unicorn company.

Additionally, Dr. Huda founded My IP Accelerator, a program focused on helping entrepreneurs commercialize intellectual property and build sustainable businesses. Through this initiative, she collaborates with universities and research centers to unlock the potential of intellectual property in the Kingdom.

Strategic Leadership and Global Impact

Currently serving as the Head of Innovation & Strategy at Saudi National Bank (SNB), Dr. Huda is part of the CVC Fund’s founding team, overseeing innovation and investment in cutting-edge technologies. Her expertise spans beyond entrepreneurship, with her role as Research Lead at UCL and her academic work at KAUST, where she has contributed to groundbreaking research in genomics.

Dr. Huda’s leadership extends to international collaborations. Her work with global organizations, including her participation as a Visiting Researcher at Imperial College London and Harvard University, showcases her dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific research and technology commercialization.

Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators

Dr. Huda’s career reflects her commitment to empowering future innovators. Through venture capital advisory roles and strategic partnerships, she has helped bridge the gap between innovation and investment. Her efforts in shaping Saudi Arabia’s scientific entrepreneurship ecosystem have resulted in thousands of graduates benefiting from her initiatives, further enhancing the Kingdom’s leadership in biotech and tech-based industries.

Dr. Huda Alfardus is a leading figure in scientific entrepreneurship and innovation in Saudi Arabia. Her work in building entrepreneurial ecosystems, fostering intellectual property commercialization, and driving biotech innovation is positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in healthcare and technology.