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Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Kneron Secures Grant from Saudi Arabia's NTDP, Marking Strategic Milestone in the Middle East
Selected for the RELOCATE Program, Supporting Vision 2030 Deep-Tech Strategy SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES, June 18, 2025 / / -- Kneron, a global leader in edge AI computing solutions, announced it has been selected for RELOCATE, a strategic deep-tech initiative under Saudi Arabia's National Technology Development Program (NTDP), and awarded a non-equity grant from the Saudi government. This milestone marks a pivotal step in expanding Kneron's advanced AI chip development and commercialization efforts across the Middle East. The RELOCATE program, led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), plays a central role in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 plan to establish the Kingdom as a global technology hub. The initiative aims to attract at least 50 semiconductor design companies and develop a talent pipeline of 20,000 AI professionals by 2030. Kneron was chosen for its proven expertise in reconfigurable Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and its strong potential to scale AI solutions globally. The secured grant will be used to establish a technological hub in Saudi Arabia for advanced AI chip R&D and commercialization, leveraging the Kingdom's growing semiconductor infrastructure and innovation ecosystem. Prior to this, Kneron had already formed a strategic partnership with the National Semiconductor Hub (NSH), which is dedicated to fostering a fabless semiconductor ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. The company is also in the process of setting up a local subsidiary in Riyadh, further contributing to the country's ambition to achieve technological sovereignty and build a robust AI-driven industry. Saudi Arabia is currently investing $100 billion to build 'Transcendence,' a next-generation technology hub, and is emerging as a central player in the region's digital economy. Kneron plans to expand its presence in the Middle East by introducing its technologies into key sectors such as enterprise AI, smart cities, and digital transformation. Albert Liu, Founder and CEO of Kneron, commented, 'The Saudi government's bold investments in AI and the swift execution of the RELOCATE program are truly impressive. We are excited about the opportunity to integrate our AI chip technologies into Saudi Arabia's smart city infrastructure and to contribute to building a regional model for transformative technological innovation.' A spokesperson from NTDP stated, 'We are pleased to welcome Kneron into the RELOCATE program as a testament to Saudi Arabia's growing appeal as a global hub for deep-tech innovation. With its cutting-edge expertise in edge AI and semiconductor design, Kneron aligns perfectly with our vision to build a knowledge-driven economy and establish a world-class semiconductor ecosystem under Vision 2030. We believe this partnership will not only accelerate Kneron's regional growth but also contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia's technological advancement and digital transformation.' Kneron's participation in RELOCATE reinforces its commitment to innovation in high-growth markets and its broader mission to 'empower industries through AI.' The company will continue to deliver on its mission to 'empower industries through AI' by advancing the adoption of edge AI chips in areas such as smart cities and Industry 4.0. About Kneron Kneron is a global leader in edge AI solutions, delivering lightweight, energy-efficient neural processing units (NPUs) and software for on-device intelligence across industries. Backed by investors such as Sequoia Capital, Qualcomm, and Foxconn, Kneron is driving the adoption of AI at the edge with its reconfigurable architecture, enabling real-time, secure, and efficient AI performance in everything from smart cities to enterprise systems. Tiffany Chang Kneron [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Leaders
25-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Ignites AI Innovation with Groundbreaking Startup Incubator
Saudi Arabia is significantly increasing its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) by launching a national incubator program. This initiative aims to accelerate the growth of early-stage AI startups across the Kingdom. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) leads this four-month program through its Centre of Digital Entrepreneurship. Comprehensive Support for Startups The incubator will support 20 AI ventures by providing essential resources such as mentorship, funding, and workspace. Additionally, participants will gain access to government-backed digital incentives that enhance their growth potential. Financial support will come from the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), ensuring startups receive the necessary funding to thrive. Moreover, strategic partnerships with key organizations will help startups access vital technical and commercial expertise. Collaborations with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence, SambaNova, and BIM Ventures will strengthen the program's impact. These partnerships will provide startups with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive market. Aligning with Vision 2030 Goals This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to build a diversified, knowledge-driven economy. By reducing long-term dependence on oil revenues, the Kingdom seeks to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. The incubator follows the recent launch of Humain, a PIF-backed AI company focused on enhancing national capabilities in data infrastructure, machine learning, and cloud computing. By targeting early-stage companies with tailored support, the new incubator aims to establish a competitive AI ecosystem. This ecosystem will position the Kingdom as a regional and global leader in emerging technologies. Ultimately, this initiative represents a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia's commitment to advancing its tech economy and fostering innovation. Short link : Post Views: 22
CairoScene
25-05-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
Saudi Arabia Launches AI Startup Incubator to Boost Tech Economy
A new incubator led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will support 20 AI startups. May 25, 2025 Saudi Arabia is ramping up its investment in artificial intelligence with the launch of a national incubator programme designed to accelerate the growth of early-stage AI startups. Led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) through its Centre of Digital Entrepreneurship, the four-month programme will support 20 AI ventures with mentorship, funding, workspace, and access to government-backed digital incentives. Financial support will come via the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), while strategic partnerships with the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Saudi Company for Artificial Intelligence, SambaNova, and BIM Ventures will help startups access technical and commercial expertise. The initiative is a key part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to build a diversified, knowledge-driven economy and reduce long-term dependence on oil revenues. It also follows the recent launch of Humain, a PIF-backed AI company focused on building national capabilities in data infrastructure, machine learning, and cloud computing. By targeting early-stage companies with tailored support, the new incubator aims to lay the foundation for a competitive AI ecosystem capable of positioning the Kingdom as a regional and global leader in emerging technologies.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
James Hagens May Slide On Draft Day, But His NHL Upside Remains Elite
There were many good reasons why James Hagens entered the year as the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2025 NHL draft. The Long Island, N.Y. native dominated at every level leading up to the 2024-25 season, setting multiple records on the international stage before joining Boston College in the NCAA. Hagens became the ninth player to ever finish with over 100 points in a season with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, recording 102 points in just 58 games in the 2023-24 season. His 187 career points rank fifth all-time at the NTDP. Later that year, Hagens beat Nikita Kucherov's points record at the U18 World Championships with 22 points in seven games. With Hagens set to center two of the top players in college hockey just a few months later – Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard and New York Rangers prospect Gabriel Perreault – hype was understandably at an all-time high. While he didn't produce at the rate many anticipated, Hagens still ended the NCAA season with 37 points in 37 games and was also a standout performer at the World Junior Championship, recording five goals and four assists while playing top-line minutes for Team USA, who took home gold. Hagens' struggles at the college level mainly stemmed from the physical disadvantages he had against older and heavier competition around the nation. At 5-foot-11, 176 lbs, it was pretty evident that he had difficulty driving inside and getting to the net compared to his dominant days with the NTDP. This is also reflected in his significant decrease in shooting percentage. Due to his lack of size, generating high-danger chances was much harder and a lot of his shooting opportunities came from the perimeter. James Hagens' Goals and Shooting Percentage Year-Over-Year 2022-23 (NTDP): 43 games played, 26 goals, 27.5 percent 2023-24 (NTDP): 58 games played, 39 goals, 18.5 percent 2024-25 (NCAA): 37 games played, 11 goals, 7.9 percent (Stats courtesy of While that physical aspect of the game has come more easily for a lot of his peers in this class, there's also an element of luck that comes into play. A player of Hagens' caliber doesn't simply drop off so heavily in goals while also producing at a point-per-game pace solely because of a height and weight difference. And it doesn't change the fact that he possesses the tools of a first-overall talent. Skating is the foundation of what makes Hagens such a remarkable offensive player. His agility, acceleration, and ability to dictate the pace of play trickles into every facet of his game. He generates a ton of power with his lower body in his own half of the ice in order to be a transition threat through the neutral zone, and possesses the creativity to put together complex rush patterns that can overwhelm defenders. His crossovers and ability to maximize his weight transfer with each stride is pretty impressive at this point in his development, and will only continue to get better with added strength and pro-level training. Hagens' skating works as a tool to elevate his playmaking as well. He's able to manipulate the ice in a way that demands pressure from opposing players, leaving wide open lanes for teammates to catch passes and have high-danger scoring opportunities. This is a skill he leaned on a ton this season, and it will make him much more dangerous once he builds on his frame. Puck control is also a huge part of Hagens' playmaking game. He uses his stick extremely well in placing pucks in small spaces, and he can consistently beat players one-on-one with a variety of skilled moves. He's great at making defenders make uncomfortable decisions, and has a decent enough shot that can make teams pay if passing lanes are closed off. While the concerns about his size are warranted, Hagens shouldn't have a problem playing center at the NHL level. He's got a good motor and has the hockey sense to know when to apply pressure in the defensive zone without compromising his team's coverage. There's a lot of Jack Hughes in Hagens' game. Aside from the fact that their physical profiles are almost identical, Hughes is one of the best transition players in the NHL, which is exactly where Hagens thrives. If he earns top-six minutes at an early point in his development, similarly to Hughes, there's a strong chance that he could end up being the best offensive producer from this draft class. One less explosive season in a transitional year shouldn't overshadow years of dominance. With time to physically mature, there's every reason to believe that Hagens will become a dominant player at the next level, regardless of where he gets selected. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on
New York Times
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
William Moore's intellect made him a top 2025 NHL Draft prospect. But he's just getting started
FRISCO, Texas — The first thing everyone talks about when they talk about William Moore is just how intelligent he is. His minor hockey head coach, Chris Stevenson, who coached him from age 7 to 15, and '4-foot-nothing to 6-foot-2,' talks of an 'elite level piano player, an elite level violin player and an elite level hockey player.' He'll tell the story, as others do, of the Little Mozarts International Competition he won by playing Chopin's 'Polonaise in G Minor' and of how he got to play the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York City at 10, skipping the famed Brick Tournament to perform. Advertisement He'll also tell the story of the time Moore stopped one of his practices when he was 12 to inform him, 'No, no, that's not usually what you tell us to do.' 'He corrected me, and I was like 'Yeah, you're right, I'm wrong.' And it just shows you how much he paid attention to all of the details,' Stevenson said. His skills coach of the last few years, Josh Wrobel, says he's never worked with someone his age who can flip a switch and go, 'Am I talking to a 30-year-old right now?' He describes him as personable and wise beyond his years, but also able to act his age when he's around his peers. 'With most guys, it's one or the other and you're that robotic guy or you're messing around all the time. He can do both and he does them at appropriate times,' Wrobel said. '(And) he's an undercover nerd. He really is. And I think that translates when we talk about this vague term of hockey IQ. When we do video and the way he processes the game, he really does get it. I've worked with a lot of guys where they say 'yeah, yeah, yeah' and it's like 'no, you're not getting it.' He really does process the game well, and I think being intelligent obviously helps. Really interesting kid.' Mackenzie Braid, his longtime skating coach, usually doesn't take on kids until they're 13-15 because of how technical his work is, and how much time they have to spend, without pucks, standing around and listening. He took Moore on when he was 9 because of how mature he was. 'From Day 1, he was dialed, he was engaged and he was willing to put the time in and the work in. That's just how he was and it has never really strayed from that,' Braid said. 'We've had the ability to work with a lot of high-end kids and the work we do is not the fun stuff and it takes special kids to continue to do it. A lot of times it's their parents on Day 1 and then as they mature they get to make their own choices and it speaks a lot about William that he has stuck it out.' Advertisement Greg Moore, his head coach the last two years at USA Hockey's NTDP, talks about him as an 'impressive kid' who is a 'highly intellectual, inquisitive, hockey junky.' 'He asks a lot of questions,' he said. 'He's a student of the game. And he learns quickly. He's able to apply the things that we give him in his game right away.' Moore's proud to be smart, too. His parents were always 'adamant on maintaining good grades and getting prepped early for school.' 'And it paid off,' he'll tell you. He'll also tell you that he was an honors student all the way through public school and then online school at the program. Though online school is 'a little different,' he also said, 'I'm not going to take anything away from myself.' 'I was always a bright kid growing up and I think music helped with that,' he said. He wants people to know that he's more than just the smart kid, though. He's reluctant to talk about the hearing loss he had as a young child after a serious lymph node infection, too. It's been taken out of proportion, he insists. 'It makes it seem like I was dealing with severe adversity when I don't even remember it and I was like 2 or 3. I was deaf at some point but that got fixed pretty quickly,' he said. These days, he just wants to be known as a hockey player — as a top prospect in the 2025 NHL Draft. NHL Central Scouting has him listed as their 29th-ranked North American skater in the class. This week, he's in Texas with Team USA for U18 Worlds. Through four games into the quarterfinals, he has registered six points (second on the team in scoring so far), 12 shots (fourth on the team) and has played 16:06 per game (third among forwards). He has also scored three goals, including a big one at the front of the net when USA trailed the Swedes 2-0, leading the charge in a come-from-behind win with a two-point, four-shot, plus-2 performance. And the hockey player — a rangy, talented, smart center committed to Boston College — has plenty of potential for more. The second thing people talk about when they talk about Moore is his parents. His mom, Vanusa, and dad, Patrick, bounced from Brazil and New York to Switzerland and then Pittsburgh before landing in Toronto and raising their son there after finding out they were pregnant while Patrick was on a one-year job placement. Advertisement 'They had a pretty wild path,' Moore said. Moore's adviser, Eric Faion, calls Vanusa 'more knowledgeable about hockey than anyone I know.' 'He's just really, really driven and I would honestly credit that to his mom,' Stevenson said. 'His mom expected the best from him and pushed him and got him whatever training he needed and the kid was so smart and determined that he always achieved excellence at anything that he did.' Growing up, Moore said his parents had him try 'every single sport.' He played tennis and lacrosse all the way through, but hockey was his passion. Vanusa did the long drives and early practices because he loved it. In minor hockey, he always played up a year with Stevenson's AAA Mississauga Senators. It didn't click for him until 'pretty late, honestly' that he could get to where he is, though. When he first started with the Senators, Stevenson said Moore was a middle-of-the-pack player on his team. But Stevenson said he was 'probably our best player' by peewee. That's saying something, considering that team also had another player who was playing up a year: Michael Misa. 'They would kind of rotate back and forth between which one was better,' Stevenson said. 'Will in the peewee season was probably the better player. His skill level was through the roof. Hands, edges, he always had it. I kind of just helped him into the learning the game aspect of things but he always had elite level skill. He always had a nose for the net. He was always clutch.' That back and forth between the two continued all the way until their underage season in minor midget, according to Stevenson. That year, both Moore and Misa applied for exceptional status. Misa got it after a record-setting performance at the year-end OHL Cup put him over the edge. When Moore didn't get it, joining the U.S. NTDP presented itself as an option and he returned to minor midget for a second year, joining the Toronto Marlboros before heading off to Plymouth, Mich., with USA Hockey when they were ready to welcome his 2007 age group. Advertisement 'Mike edged me out,' he said, laughing and looking back. 'If I did get it, it never would have opened my eyes to the NTDP but I'm always grateful that I was able to find this route through the U.S. and I've never looked back since.' Last year, in his U17 year at the program, he led the team in goals with 23 in 50 games. This year, he has again been among their leading scorers, playing around a point per game. Wrobel thinks that second year of minor midget was a disservice to him because it didn't challenge him. Playing at the program, on a team that doesn't have its typical top-of-the-draft talent, has been good for him that way, according to Wrobel. 'He never really felt the grind, he never really had to go stand in front of the net and get some dirty goals. And we had this joke last year where he kind of turned into a bit of a skilled grinder where he couldn't just dance through everybody at will like he did for two years of minor midget,' Wrobel said. 'I've been really encouraged with his willingness to go hunt pucks and work in the corner because it's not just a skilled game. Something that I've talked to him about a lot is 'When you do make that jump, what's your B game? When it's not a skilled game, if the game gets dirty and grimy, are you willing to play in that game as well?' And that's where I see a lot of kids that are just strictly skilled shy away. So I've been really encouraged with that willingness to get in the corners and get mucky and hunt pucks, and go to the net front, and go to the dirty areas that a lot of strictly skill guys aren't willing to do. He's at least showing flashes of that and for me it's just the consistency of that.' Greg Moore still thinks William can be more consistent in his compete. But he has made progress, and Moore has used him on the penalty kill this season because of it. Advertisement 'You give him a game plan and he can execute that game plan, he can anticipate what happens next and he has a good stick. So he can cut off passes, he can cut off seams, and he can anticipate what's going to happen next defensively, which is a huge skill of his,' he said. 'Now he just needs to compete harder off of that consistently. He sees the ice really well. He can see things develop a step or two ahead of what a lot of people anticipate defensively. It makes his teammates better. And then he has a nose for the net, he's got scoring touch, he gets to the crease, he can shoot the puck, and he has great instincts on how to score goals in different ways.' William Moore describes his own game as about creativity first. Late last year, when he felt a lot of pucks were slipping off his blade when he turned on his forehand, Wrobel encouraged him to switch from the flatter P88 curve he'd used his entire life to more of a toe curve. That has also made a huge difference in his stick handling and his shot — to the point where he wonders why he used his old blade in the first place. 'I love making plays, I love making my teammates better with my creative playmaking and I believe I have very high IQ and I see the ice very well. But I also have a scoring touch to my game and I love being around the net front,' he said. The third thing everyone talks about when they talk about Moore is just how much development he still has ahead of him. That's true in the gym and in his skating. In the gym, he has worked hard at it in the offseason with his strength and conditioning coaches Andy O'Brien and Jason Martin. At the program, strength and conditioning coach Joe Meloni said he has put on 15-20 pounds in the last two years. But 'he really is like a string bean,' Wrobel said. 'It's something he has worked on a lot. He will definitely grow into his frame,' Meloni said. 'He's strong but he's just long and lanky. But you see it in games when he protects pucks, he has that functional strength on the ice. It's just a matter of adding some body mass off the ice.' Advertisement NHL Central Scouting has him listed at 6-foot-2.25 but also a lean 175 pounds. Stevenson said he has always been that way: tall and lanky. 'But it's coming,' Stevenson said. 'And the crazy thing is that because of how elite his edges were nobody could knock him off the puck. So the more he fills out, that's only going to make him better.' The growth that's still to come in his skating is intertwined with the muscle he's working to add in the gym, too. Braid said a lot of the taller, skinnier kids he works with 'visually aren't the best-looking skaters,' but that Moore has come a long way. Last summer, Braid told him, 'Hey man, all of the work that we've put in to the technique of it is starting to come along.' 'I know it can sometimes be a little bit ugly at times but not everyone's the same kind of skater. His stride isn't maybe his best asset but edge work-wise, he builds a lot of his speed and pull-away speed off of crossovers,' Braid said. 'I don't think he's a bad skater by any means (and) as he physically matures and that muscle fills in, it's just going to kind of continue to build and build. It's a process that's going to be never-ending. I don't think in the long run skating is going to be something that hinders him but he's never going to be the prettiest skater out there.' Moore is happy with the way he has trended in the gym and in his skating, too. 'My issue with skating has always been my mass. My technique, I believe, is in a good spot thanks to (Braid) and it's just developing power,' he said. He's stronger than he looks, too, Greg Moore argues. 'The one underappreciated skill of his is his puck protection and strength on his feet with the puck,' he said. 'He can hold guys off under pressure to extend plays and if you are studying the best NHL players in the world, they can get into contact, protect the puck, separate themselves and make that next play better than anyone and he has that skill.' But most importantly, there's more to come. 'If he can start filling out that frame, I think we have a really dangerous player here,' Wrobel said.
