By David Murphy 

The Atlantic Council estimates that fewer than five percent of women-led businesses exist in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a small number compared to a global average of up to 26%.

However, this figure does not reflect the growing number of women in the region forging ahead in establishing businesses, companies and tackling global crises. 

Women-led innovations and excellence in academia, industry, science and engineering are at the core of KAUST—an institution that exemplifies the potential of the MENA region. The University is home to a global group of female scientists at various stages in their careers who are excelling in their chosen fields.  

One of KAUST’s most prominent and visionary female researchers, Derya Baran, recently added another accolade to her growing list of career accomplishments. The associate professor of material science and engineering was named among Forbes Middle East’s list of "20 Women Behind Middle Eastern Tech Brands 2023."  

Forbes’ list features MENA female leaders who have established strong tech-enabled platforms in fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, healthtech, proptech and other fields. The 20 individuals who made up the list were evaluated according to their creativity, innovation and impact.

Professor Baran’s inclusion in Forbes’ list was due to her innovative research and role as the co-founder of the KAUST-founded agritech company, RedSea. 

“It is an honor, and I am thrilled to be listed amongst several other pioneering women in the region,” Baran said of her most recent accolade. “As the world continues to grapple with record-breaking temperatures and drought, solutions to enable local food production in hot climates have never been more crucial.”

Sky’s the limit for RedSea

Dedicated to feeding the world sustainably, RedSea develops climate-controlled agriculture technology solutions for hot climates.
Currently, its technologies are supporting growers in over 12 countries.

The company’s first product, iyris SecondSky, focuses on next-generation, heat-blocking solutions for crop growers. SecondSky is a transparent roof that acts as a heat shield which lets in visible light for plants but not heat.

The product is proven to reduce temperatures inside greenhouses, water consumption and energy expenditure. Recent in-Kingdom testing has shown that, on average, iyris SecondSky consumes 42% less energy than a greenhouse with standard roofing material.

“It is estimated the world will need to grow 50% more food by 2050 to feed an anticipated population of more than 10 billion people,” Baran explained. “Yet agriculture accounts for 70% of the global drain on freshwater resources in hot climates; in some instances, this can be up to 90%.”

“There has always been this nexus that exists in agriculture, which we call the ‘food-water-energy nexus.’ At RedSea, we are working to break this nexus and grow food locally and sustainably with less water and energy, even in the hottest climates.”

Earlier this year, RedSea received the 2023 American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) AE50 Award and the ASABE’s Davidson Prize for their iyris SecondSky Greenhouse Roof.

Self-discipline, determination and outstanding institutional support

For Baran, establishing a business, leading a research group at KAUST, and furthering her research requires immense self-discipline and determination to overcome inevitable obstacles: “I wear a lot of hats, but I am not doing this alone. Honors like this would be impossible without my team, business partners and family to share thoughts and experiences with.

“Having amazing co-workers and a strong source of self-belief can get you through the tough moments. I am also incredibly fortunate to have two co-founders at RedSea, Dr. Ryan Lefers and Professor Mark Tester, with whom I can freely brainstorm and create leading solutions.”