Vince Molinari welcomes Yazeed Alghamdi, the Director of Emerging Technologies at Roshn Group, during the bustling Cityscape Global event at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Saudi Arabia. The conference, which brings together global leaders from the real estate industry, serves as a backdrop for an engaging discussion about innovation and transformation in the sector.
Yazeed begins by providing an overview of Roshn Group, a key player in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 housing program. He highlights the company’s ambitious goal of constructing over 400,000 housing units in the coming years, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the region.
The conversation shifts to the PropTech Hackathon, an initiative founded by Yazeed and his team, which aims to foster innovation within the real estate industry. This year marks the third iteration of the hackathon, attracting over 150 participants competing for a prize of 1.3 million Saudi Riyals. Yazeed shares insights into the impressive turnout and the wealth of ideas generated.
Vince and Yazeed then discuss Roshn’s digital sales journey, which has transformed the traditional home-buying process into a hybrid and digital experience. Since launching their platform at the end of 2023, Roshn has sold over 3,400 units and generated more than 7 billion SAR in sales. Yazeed explains how the platform not only facilitates online purchases but also fosters a sense of community among residents.
The discussion delves into the features of Roshn’s app, described as a “super app.” Yazeed outlines its various components, including access to local amenities, sustainability initiatives powered by AI, and gamification elements designed to encourage community engagement and healthy living.
As the segment concludes, Yazeed shares his vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of integrating ideas from the hackathon into real-world applications. He recounts a success story of a previous hackathon winner whose idea has evolved into a $20 million company, showcasing the potential for innovation in the real estate sector.