June 12 th 2023 Riyadh KSA: The Blockchain Research Institute – Middle East (BRI-ME), the exclusive
partner of The Blockchain Research Institute, an independent, global think tank, dedicated to exploring
and sharing knowledge about the strategic implications of blockchain on business, government, and
society co-founded by Dr Don and Alex Tapscott, has signed a partnership agreement with KSA based
IR4LAB, a Saudi-based company specialized in disruptive technologies such as Blockchain and Artificial
Intelligence, to develop and spread the blockchain adoption in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.
The signing ceremony was held under the auspices of the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communication and
IT (MCIT) in Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE) Riyadh headquarters. In attendance live from
Canada was Dr Don Tapscott, well renowned global blockchain author and expert, and founder of BRI.
Key representatives from several Saudi governmental and private entities were present including MCIT,
Communications space & Technology Commission, Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship, Plug and Play as
well as the Canadian embassy.
Both BRI-ME and IR4LAB will work together to collaborate in the area of blockchain technology research,
consulting and development of solutions, use cases, as well as cooperate to organize blockchain events,
training programs and workshops in the Kingdom and the MENA Region.
Majd AL AFIFI Co-Founder and CEO of IR4LAB, stated,"We are very proud of this partnership; it will bring
much needed collaboration and cement Saudi Arabia's position in Blockchain technology.”
Mohamed EL KANDRI Co-Founder and CTO of IR4LAB added, "Partnering with the largest Blockchain
Think tank in the world is a landmark development for Blockchain adoption in the region, and we are
happy to lead the way alongside likeminded partners
Aline Daoud, Managing Partner and Founder at the Blockchain Research ME, said, “We are proud to join
forces with IR4LAB who have been revolutionizing the Blockchain adoption in the Kingdom and the
region. Together we will be fostering, growing, and supporting the interest in the blockchain technology
in the country as we offer our joint trainings, research, events and consultancies.
BRI-ME and IR4Lab took the opportunity to announce about the first upcoming event in Riyadh which
will take place on the 19 th of October 2023, The Web3 Summit: Blockchain and Beyond, will be a private
event covering Blockchain for Oil & Gas, Banking & Finance, Supply chain & logistics, Smart Cities and
Women in Web3. Dr Don Tapscott will be flying in all the way from Canada to address the audience with
a 45-min keynote speech for the first time in Saudi Arabia. (More on the event can be found:
https://web3summit-ksa.com/)
About IR4LAB
Saudi-Based innovation-driven company specialized in disruptive technologies such as Blockchain and
Artificial Intelligence. IR4LAB is Saudi Aramco’s First Blockchain Technology investment in Saudi Arabia.
IR4LAB is committed to increasing advanced technologies adoption in Saudi Arabia and the world by
implementing new business models or improving existing processes, most notably building local
capabilities that can contribute greatly to achieve Saudi 2030 vision.
http://www.ir4lab.com/
About BRI-ME
The Blockchain Research Institute Middle East (BRIME) is a Middle Eastern think-tank exclusively
representing the international BRI office in the MENA region.
With branches in Canada, Brazil, Europe, Korea, and Africa. We bring together the Middle East’s top
industry leaders, academics, policy-makers, researchers, and developers to undertake research and
solutions development to bridge the gap between the technological functionality of blockchain and the
real market need.
