Middle East Edition
Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award (MIMA) 2025

For the first time, the Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award (MIMA) is coming to Saudi Arabia. Roland Berger Middle East, in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Microsoft Arabia and Shurfah Holding launch MIMA Middle East which aims to spotlight on the most innovative, impactful and intelligent manufacturing transformations across the Kingdom.

The prestigious award, co-founded by Microsoft and Roland Berger , has been recognizing trailblazing manufacturers in the EMEA region for over six years. Now, we are opening the stage to Saudi Arabia’s industrial leaders who are re-defining what’s possible through digital transformation, advanced technologies, and scalable innovation in the areas of production, purchasing, supply chain management, engineering or other parts of the operations sphere.

Whether your organization is pioneering advanced robotics, using data to optimize production, or embedding sustainability into your supply chain, we want to hear from you.

The Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award celebrates the most innovative and forward-thinking digital best practices across industrial and operational domains, including production, procurement, supply chain management, engineering, and after-sales service.

We welcome submissions from all industries that contribute to or support the operations and industrial sectors. Your case study should present a real-world, implementable solution that is both pioneering and influential in setting new standards.

This is not only for CEOs or Senior Executives. Groundbreaking ideas often come straight from the field and the labs. Engineers, technologists and operations leads if you are trying to shape the future of the industry, we want you in the spotlight and want to hear from you!

While all applications are encouraged, we are particularly interested in projects that demonstrate:

• New implemented technologies in industrial environments.
• Operations excellence enabled through the combination of process excellence and applied technology.
• Process or product enhancements positively impacting sustainability.
• Digitalization best practice or solutions that can serve as a blueprint for your company or industry.
• Enablement of new revenue streams through intelligent solutions.

Companies based in Saudi Arabia can apply for the Microsoft Intelligent Manufacturing Award. Manufacturing companies that submit their own solution or implement an industrial solution from a partner or startup are eligible to participate.

• Gain national and regional recognition as a leader in intelligent operations.
• Join a global network of MIMA winners and industry pioneers.
• Be fast-tracked to the MIMA EMEA Awards, representing Saudi Arabia on an international stage.
• Showcase your transformation story at the Industrial Transformation Saudi Arabia (ITSA) 2025 in Riyadh.
• All finalists will gain access to the exciting and prestigious MIMA Middle East Champions Circle (CC) for three people per case.

Prizes will be awarded in each of the five categories, plus one overall winner. Cases will be submitted as one holistic case per applicant covering all categories. The jury will assess all cases for each individual category to determine the respective winners as well as the overall champion across categories.

Innovate! – Application of new technologies to drive innovation.
The category showcases excellence in the implementation and/or application of cutting-edge technology, e.g. intelligent automation systems, data analytics solutions, edge computing,

Scale! – Potential to scale and grow new business potential.
The category honors cases leading the way in terms of their breadth of value chains, clients or internal processes impacted by intelligent industrial solutions at different levels of maturity.

Add Value! – Potential to increase efficiency and improve business processes.
The category recognizes value added by intelligent solutions across multiple perspectives ranging from increased efficiency and CAPEX or COGS improvements to new revenue potential.

Disrupt! – Digital transformation of industry value chain.
The category assesses your case's potential to fundamentally transform value chains in your company or sector.

Sustainability! – Sustainability as a key outcome for the developed solution.
Whatever you do, does it have an impact on your sustainability agenda? Tell us why!

Applications are now open until 6th of November 2025.

Submit your entry via our online form here .

We will be hosting an online session to explain more about the award, the application process and answer any questions you might have about the award. If you are interested in attending the session, please sign up here.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

Learn more about last year's MIMA EMEA winners .

Ordinary prizes are not enough for disruptive ideas. Our vision is to reward every year's winners but also to go beyond by bringing together a broad range of innovators to further build the "digitalization in manufacturing" network – MIMA Middle East Champions Circle.

Finalists

All of the top 15 cases will be classified as finalists. Finalists will be granted access to the MIMA Middle East Champions Circle (CC). All finalists will also be integrated in the external communications to ensure visibility in industry.

MIMA Middle East Champions Circle

All finalists will gain access to the exciting and prestigious MIMA Middle East CC for three people per case: the case owner, executive case sponsor and one additional wildcard. If the case is submitted with an implementation partner, one additional seat will be granted. MIMA Middle East CC members can enjoy in-person networking opportunities, educational webinars and more.

Category winners

Category winners will become MIMA Middle East CC members as well as being rewarded with the following:

• Joint winners' announcement via Ministry of Industry and Minerals official communication.
• Support with communication measures: Increasing the visibility of the use case via Roland Berger and Microsoft channels.
• All category winners will be officially awarded at the ITSA conference in Riyadh.

Overall winner

The overall winner will receive the same prizes as the others, plus enhanced high-end case study video production highlighting the submitted case study. This can be used for marketing purposes and will serve as a visual format for further communications.