Driving Saudi Arabia’s Innovation Renaissance: The Vision and Impact of Usamah Ahmed Jan

In a country racing toward a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy under Vision 2030, Usamah Ahmed Jan stands as a pillar of transformative leadership in corporate innovation and service design. With over two decades of experience and a career that has touched nearly every corner of Saudi Arabia’s innovation landscape, Jan is not just building innovation systems—he is shaping the future of Saudi industry and public service.

From Engineering to Innovation Mastery

Jan’s journey began with a dual Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Information & Computer Sciences from King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM). He later pursued an MBA at King Saud University, complemented by executive education at Stanford University and Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC).

Certified in Innovation Management (IMGB Green Belt) and recognized as an ISO 56000 expert, Jan has built and implemented complete innovation playbooks across some of Saudi Arabia’s most critical sectors.

Architect of Innovation Ecosystems

Jan is a globally certified Innovation and Service Design leader, with expertise in:

• Innovation Strategy
• Open Innovation
• Intrapreneurship
• Innovation Labs
• Idea Management Systems

He helps organizations build structured, scalable, and sustainable innovation ecosystems aligned with international best practices.

Highlights of Leadership

• Top 50 Leaders in Technology & Innovation (2024) – Favikon & R Saudi
• Co-founder of Saudi Arabia’s first official innovation-focused association: Technology & Innovation Association (TIA)
• Designed and led 200+ workshops on Design Thinking, Service Design, Innovation Strategy, and Creative Problem Solving
• Led Innovation Maturity Assessments using Innovation360 methodology
• Created custom Idea Management Platforms and Intrapreneurship Programs impacting thousands of innovators

Impact Across Industries

Healthcare Innovation at NUPCO

As Innovation & Digital Senior Director at NUPCO, Jan transformed the healthcare supply chain through ISO 56000-aligned innovation strategies and customer-centric service design. His leadership embedded innovation across the entire healthcare ecosystem—helping NUPCO lead in national healthcare priorities.

Urban Innovation at Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)

At DGDA, Jan built the Innovation and Service Transformation Strategy from the ground up. He created citizen-centric and investor-centric services by integrating customer experience design into innovation processes—revolutionizing public service delivery for one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic heritage sites.

National Digital Transformation at Saudi Telecom Company (STC)

As Innovation & Business Development Director at STC, Jan drove co-created solutions for government digital transformation—accelerating Saudi’s public sector innovation.

Building Saudi’s Innovation Culture at Elm

At Elm Company, Jan built one of the Kingdom’s first complete Corporate Innovation Systems:

• Founded the Intrapreneurship Program and Innovation Lab
• Launched open innovation platforms like Holom, national hackathons, and bootcamps
• Embedded Design Thinking and Innovation KPIs into corporate DNA
• Positioned Elm as a national innovation leader

Cultivating the Next Generation at Tuwaiq Academy

As Director of Tuwaiq Academy under the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones, Jan designed cutting-edge innovation bootcamps, expanded national talent pipelines, and built public-private partnerships to cultivate Saudi’s innovation workforce.

Champion of Innovation Networks

Beyond corporate roles, Jan actively contributes to innovation ecosystems:

• Advisory Board Member, Tech Saudi Advocates
• Member, TomouhCL & Project1932
• Advisory Board roles in leading Saudi universities (KFUPM, Alfaisal, Umm Al-Qura, Majmaah, Jubail University College)
• Co-Founder, ITdigest Group

He is also an active member of the Service Design Network and a licensed practitioner in the Innovation360 global community.

A Legacy of Purpose-Driven Innovation

Jan’s impact goes beyond technical execution. He is a true evangelist for innovation cultures, believing that innovation is not an isolated department but an organizational mindset. Whether through Design Thinking workshops, Service Design sprints, or Innovation Maturity Assessments, his work fosters lasting cultural change.

He is passionate about:

• Activating innovation cultures
• Bringing service design thinking to life
• Driving measurable organizational transformation

The Future: Saudi Arabia’s Innovation Renaissance

As Saudi Arabia accelerates toward Vision 2030, leaders like Usamah Ahmed Jan are vital. His vision aligns perfectly with the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global innovation hub—where corporate agility, public service excellence, and entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive.

With his track record of impact, global certifications, and deep local understanding, Jan is poised to continue leading the charge—building an innovation legacy that will serve Saudi Arabia for decades to come.