KUWAIT CITY — The Kuwait Innovation Center has announced a collaboration with Lonestar, a U.S.-based company specializing in space-based data storage technologies, marking a significant step in bolstering Kuwait’s role in the technology and space industries. The partnership, unveiled on September 9, aims to position Kuwait as a regional leader in advanced technology investment and innovation.
Under the agreement, the Kuwait Innovation Center acts as Lonestar’s exclusive representative in the Gulf region and Egypt. The joint venture also includes Prima Security, which will support the integration of space technology, data security, infrastructure, and investment systems. This collaboration seeks to leverage the strengths of each partner to foster growth in Kuwait’s technology sector and to establish the country as a launchpad for high-quality tech initiatives and regional investments.
Lonestar CEO Steven Euseli highlighted the importance of the partnership during the launch event, expressing enthusiasm about progressing from the announcement phase to the implementation of joint projects. He praised the event’s organization and turnout, reaffirming his commitment to furthering cooperation with the Kuwait Innovation Center.
Mohammad Salah Al-Rifai, CEO of the Kuwait Innovation Center, underscored Kuwait’s potential to expand its influence within modern technology and investment fields. He described the partnership with Lonestar as a pivotal move toward transforming Kuwait into a hub for innovative technology across the Gulf and broader Middle East region. Mahmoud Hamza Al-Hawari, the center’s Legal and Investment Director, echoed this outlook, emphasizing the center’s strategy to forge robust partnerships between international firms and local public, private, and investment sectors. He noted plans to extend the partnership model beyond Kuwait, targeting markets in the Gulf, Egypt, and the wider Middle East, thereby positioning Kuwait at the forefront of regional technology and investment platforms.
Building on this foundation, the partnership intends to expand its reach into Egypt in the near future, establishing a framework for cross-border collaboration that combines cutting-edge technology with capital investment and institutional expertise.
Fawaz Fouad Buqmaz, Executive Director for Artificial Intelligence at the Kuwait Innovation Center, highlighted that the collaboration with Lonestar will catalyze the development of AI technologies locally, with future plans to test these innovations in space. These efforts are slated to begin in preparation for a scheduled launch in April 2027, aiming to advance research, development, and innovation originating from Kuwait and to deliver solutions on a global scale.
The event featured special participation from Lonestar Chairman Chris Stott and astronaut Nicole Stott. Nicole Stott shared insights from her experience in space and discussed advancements related to spacecraft launches and the operation of off-Earth data storage technologies. Her contribution provided a unique practical perspective on the commercial and investment opportunities associated with emerging space technologies, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Kuwait–Lonestar partnership.